Review - Snow Angels
February 9th 2009 11:22
Based on the novel of the same name by Stewart O'Nan, Snow Angels is a very depressing film. Set in a snow-filled sleepy town in Pennsylvania, (NB - this is the third snowy film I have reviewed in a week), the film focuses on a number of interconnected quirky individuals in a very voyeuristic manner.
Arthur (Michael Angarano) is a teenager attending the local high school. He plays trombone in the school band and works part time at the local Chinese restaurant. Arthur befriends Lila Raybern (Olivia Thirlby), a newcomer to town, and it is clear they both have a crush on one another. Arthur and Lila are well suited, but surrounded by broken relationships, Arthur is hesitant to act on his feelings. His parents are on the verge of divorcing and his co-workers at the Chinese restaurant are also facing their own issues.
Arthur's co-worker Annie (Kate Beckinsale), is a single mum who is estranged from her alcoholic husband, Glenn (Sam Rockwell). After a failed suicide attempt, Sam becomes a born again Christian and is failing miserably at an attempt to rebuild his life. He desperately wants to make a go of his relationship with Kate and rebuild his life with their young daughter. They seem to be very incompatible but as high school sweethearts their affection for one another obviously runs deep. Annie works alongside her best friend Barb (Amy Sedaris) at the restaurant and unbeknownst to everyone in her life is having an affair with Barb's husband.
Directed by independent Director David Gordon Green (most recently Pineapple Express and Undertow) this tragic film is intense as it is fragile. The start of the film presents us with the film's ending and then revisits the events prior to the finale. Don't expect too many happy endings with this one. This film is obviously not for everyone and will suit those who have a tendency to like small independent films. But don't despair, there is a sense of hope to the elegant film and even a little humanity but only a little.
Voyage Review: 4/5
Arthur (Michael Angarano) is a teenager attending the local high school. He plays trombone in the school band and works part time at the local Chinese restaurant. Arthur befriends Lila Raybern (Olivia Thirlby), a newcomer to town, and it is clear they both have a crush on one another. Arthur and Lila are well suited, but surrounded by broken relationships, Arthur is hesitant to act on his feelings. His parents are on the verge of divorcing and his co-workers at the Chinese restaurant are also facing their own issues.
Arthur's co-worker Annie (Kate Beckinsale), is a single mum who is estranged from her alcoholic husband, Glenn (Sam Rockwell). After a failed suicide attempt, Sam becomes a born again Christian and is failing miserably at an attempt to rebuild his life. He desperately wants to make a go of his relationship with Kate and rebuild his life with their young daughter. They seem to be very incompatible but as high school sweethearts their affection for one another obviously runs deep. Annie works alongside her best friend Barb (Amy Sedaris) at the restaurant and unbeknownst to everyone in her life is having an affair with Barb's husband.
Directed by independent Director David Gordon Green (most recently Pineapple Express and Undertow) this tragic film is intense as it is fragile. The start of the film presents us with the film's ending and then revisits the events prior to the finale. Don't expect too many happy endings with this one. This film is obviously not for everyone and will suit those who have a tendency to like small independent films. But don't despair, there is a sense of hope to the elegant film and even a little humanity but only a little.
Voyage Review: 4/5
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