“Snow Angels” (2008)
Film Review by Amy Steele | Published on September 16th, 2008

Small towns are one of two things: quietly quaint or depressing dull. Small towns can either drive people crazy or make them want to do something extraordinary. “Snow Angels” starts with two gunshots interrupting the marching band’s practice and rewinds to two weeks earlier to show what leads up to that dreadful moment. Though you know it’s not going to end well, there’s no way to imagine the horror and chaos that erupts in between. “Snow Angels” is a somber, downbeat story about estranged spouses languishing in suburbia. But guess what? It works because it’s supremely well acted, written and presented.

Besides its small town focus, “Snow Angels” examines marriages and parent-child relationships during minor and major upsets. The film provides impressive insight. The focus is on two separated couples. The two separations are vastly different. One will mend and one will go terribly awry. The central couple is Annie (lovely Kate Beckinsale) and deadbeat husband Glenn (Sam Rockwell). Annie struggles to take care of her daughter as well as take good care of herself (such an honest, refreshing thing to see). She’s no super mom. She gets easily aggravated, tired and frustrated by the young girl. And Glenn tries so so hard to gain Annie’s respect back but she will not give it to him. She does not want him near her. She’s carrying on an affair with the husband of her closest friend at work (Amy Sedaris). Her husband is completely screwed up. He’s not been working but has recently lucked into a job at a carpet company. He’s not supposed to come near his wife, but he just cannot stay away. As his personality slowly unwinds before us, we understand just why they are separated. They were high school sweethearts and the small town ennui+++ just sucks the aspirations out of most people. Things spiral out of control between these two in devastating ways. It’s tragic and unforgettable.

On the other side of town is Arthur (Michael Angarano), a high school boy and member of the marching band, who works at the Chinese restaurant as well. Annie used to babysit him. His parents are having their own issues and his father (Griffin Dunne), a professor, moves out early on. His mother doesn’t deal with this well. She seems a bit off kilter at times but other times she provides her son with the most astute advice that I’m jealous. I never got that from my mom when I was in high school. As his parents’ relationship seems to be unraveling, he clicks with a new student, Lily (Olivia Thirlby). The budding romance unfolds in gentle, heartfelt manner as one of the best teen romances seen on film in a long, long time. The initial awkwardness, subsequent flirtation, first kiss and intellectual connection between the pair is so spot on. This is how teens should be acting. No witty quips, defying the parents and having sex in an empty bedroom at a house party. It’s really charming.

Beckinsale and Rockwell turn out impressive, credible and moving performances. It’s a delight to see Beckinsale flex her acting prowess in this understated role. She’s not in flashy spandex costumes and still shines. It proves that she can really delve into a part and is more than those gorgeous looks. Charlize Theron isn’t the only pretty girl who can also act in Hollywood. That is for sure. And I know I don’t need to say that but I’m tired of that whole dressing down to be taken seriously thing. Beckinsale cannot hide her stunning eyes and hair and lips but she can be the waitress with the kid who’s having a rather seedy affair and may not be the most attentive mother in the world. As the younger couple, Thirlby (she played the best friend in Juno) and Angarano light up every scene with gently fortitude. Sweetness.

A quietly moving character study, Snow Angels moves into creepy zones as well. It’s a satisfying piece of film work. The film is immensely compelling right up until its unfortunate over-the-top surprise ending.