"Snow Angels"
*** 1\2 (out of ****)
I often hear that David Gordon Green is one of our most talented filmmakers on the independent scene. Film critic Roger Ebert has thrown the most praise his way, that I am aware of. Some of Mr. Green's films include "George Washington", his debut film, "Undertow" and a recent mainstream comedy "Pineapple Express".
I'm not as familiar with Mr. Green's films as I would like to be. I have only seen his "Undertow", which greatly impressed me (my review can be read on amazon.com).
"Snow Angels" was released earlier in the year and didn't seem to make a lasting impression at the box-office. I always meant to watch the film but just didn't get a chance. After all this time, I'm glad I finally sat down to watch it.
As with "Undertow" (and "George Washington") the film revolves around children and broken families. Green seems to have a good ear for natural dialogue. That is a rare gift. So many times I'll watch movies which try to present themselves as everyday life and yet none of it rings true. The characters don't speak the way normal people speak. The situations don't seem believable.
On the surface "Snow Angels" doesn't seem to be doing much. It is a collection of glimpses into three families who are at a crossroad in their lives. One couple is Annie (Kate Beckinsale) and Glenn (Sam Rockwell). They are separated. After the separation Glenn sunk into a depression and tried to commit suicide. He is a bit on shaky ground. He is not stable. He was an alcoholic, who now says he has given it up and has found Jesus. He is trying to rebuild himself so he can win Annie's heart again and spend more time with their daughter, Tara (Grace Hudson).
Annie now works at a Chinese restaurant. Two of her co-workers she has known for years. One she use to babysit, Arthur (Michael Angarano) and the other is Barb (Amy Sedaris). Since Annie's separation she has been seeing another man, Nate (Nicky Katt) who is married to Barb.
Arthur's parents; Louise (Jeanetta Arnette) and Don (Griffin Dunne) are separating as well. Arthur doesn't seem too effected by this but it may be misleading. Don and Arthur have one scene where they just let it all out as Arthur complains that his father is selfish. And there is a comical scene when Arthur, along with his girlfriend, Lila (Olivia Thirlby) and Don with a new lady friend meet at the same place, unexpectedly.
"Snow Angels" is a film about lost souls. People caught in the struggle of everyday life trying to make sense of it all. And Green handles it all like a pro. His instincts as a director are nearly flawless. Dare I say the film has a Bergman-esque quality to it.
Across the board the performances are effective. It has been a while since I have seen Griffin Dunne in a movie. It has been years since he appeared in Martin Scorsese's "After Hours". He has mostly done smaller films and dropped out of the public eye. That is too bad for all of us. I've always thought he was a good actor who just never seemed to catch a break.
Kate Beckinsale as grown into a fine actress. The first time I saw her in "Pearl Harbor" I wasn't impressed. With her or the movie. I thought she was a pretty face but wouldn't make a lasting impact. I was wrong. Film after film she turns in a good performance. Sure she does the mainstream box-office movies but every once in a while she'll turn up in a smaller film. Watch her in "Laurel Canyon" and the romantic comedy "Serendipity". Tell me she is not charming.
For all the good Mr. Green does, it is at the end of the film I think it loses its way. The ending feels a little contrived and breaks the flow of the rest of the movie. Up until this point the film had a good sense of realism. When certain events happen, it starts to feel like a "movie". That is too bad. Still you have to give Mr. Green credit. The film does so much right it would be a shame not to watch it. David Gordon Green is going to have a long career ahead of him.
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