Snow Angels

(2008)

Directed by

David Gordon Green

Review by Todd Plucknett

David Gordon Green’s film Snow Angels is a beautiful and powerful look into the lives of people struggling with divorce and loss. It is a phenomenal work by the talented director, and it is one of the most flawlessly casted films of the year.

Green adapted the novel by Stewart O’Nan. It is a brilliant adaptation. The story has a few different storylines going on, all of them connected in some way. Arthur Parkinson (Michael Angarano) is a lonely high school kid, who plays in the band and has few friends. He works at a restaurant with Annie (Kate Beckinsale), his former babysitter and childhood crush. Annie recently divorced Glenn (Sam Rockwell), a drunken man trying to clean himself up in an attempt to be a better father to his daughter Tara (Gracie Hudson) and win Annie back. Annie is sleeping with Nate (Nicky Katt), who is married to a good friend and co-worker of Annie’s named Barb (Amy Sedaris). Arthur’s parents (Griffin Dunne and Jeanetta Arnette) are planning on splitting up. He finally befriends a girl named Lila (Olivia Thirlby), who is a photography student at his school. These interlocking relationships form the basis for this fantastic film, and the events that happen are shocking and almost always satisfying.

All of the actors are in top form here. Beckinsale gives a very good performance here. It is one of her better efforts that I have witnessed. Rockwell is sensational in his role. His character is so conflicted and full of anguish and sorrow. He is an outstanding actor, and his haunting performance here ranks with his best performance in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. Angarano is excellent in this film as well. He has one of those faces that you have seen several times, but you never remember his name. To me, he is little William in Almost Famous. His performance in this film is very believable and always genuine. At times, he actually reminded me of Patrick Fugit with his expressions and how he held himself. Thirlby is also great here. She is really developing into a serious actress these past couple years, with her part in Juno and her superb role in The Wackness. Katt has always been underrated, and his performance here is strong. Dunne and Arnette are both well cast in their roles as Arthur’s parents. With every outing Green can just pull the best out of his actors. That is one of the more admirable traits of the brilliant filmmaker.

This film is unflinching and moving. There is one tragic event in the middle of the film that will undoubtedly stun the audience and create an atmosphere that you cannot help but be immersed in. The photography is excellent, and the score captures the mood with great precision. It is a fascinating look into relationships that may bring up previous films studying similar themes such as Little Children. The relationship between Lila and Arthur is the definition of sweet and authentic, adding a certain level of charm to the picture. Glenn’s relationship with Annie is full of tension and heartache. All the characters’ lives just get set into a whirlwind, and the results are unforgettable and not always easy to accept.

Some may find the conclusion to be depressing and contrived, but I didn’t get that reaction. I found it to be completely powerful and significant. There are several moments when you will want to look away, but you can’t. Green pulls the audience in with the depth of his characters and tone of his direction. There is so much to appreciate in this film. Green should become a household name soon, rather than just another independent director. With amazing films like this, All the Real Girls, and this year’s blockbuster Pineapple Express, he is really turning into one of the most consistent and interesting young filmmakers. This film and filmmaker deserve a wider audience.

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