Snow Angels

Name: Snow Angels
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: March 7, 2008
Duration: 107 min
Rating: 67
Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Michael Angarano, Sam Rockwell

2008

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Generally favorable reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Ratings

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7.5

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7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Ratings

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Snow Angels

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Independent Pictures (WIP) | Release Date: March 7, 2008 | R

Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Michael Angarano, Sam Rockwell

Summary: A story of love lost and found in a small town, Snow Angels is a heartrending portrayal of three couples in various stages of life orbiting around each other in search of connection and meaning. An unexpected act of violence disrupts the lives of these intertwined couples and reveals the profound moments in which they each realize howA story of love lost and found in a small town, Snow Angels is a heartrending portrayal of three couples in various stages of life orbiting around each other in search of connection and meaning. An unexpected act of violence disrupts the lives of these intertwined couples and reveals the profound moments in which they each realize how precarious and remarkable life can be. High-school student Arthur plays trombone in the marching band, busses tables at the local Chinese restaurant, and avoids his squabbling parents. At work, he flirts with Annie, who used to be his babysitter. Annie is trying to build a new life for herself and her daughter after splitting with high-school sweetheart Glenn. A man with a troubled past, Glenn hopes to make a new start by getting a job and reconnecting with his family. At school, Arthur meets a pretty girl, Lila, who is just as nerdy as he is, and they quickly develop a crush on one another. Though Lila makes her feelings for Arthur painfully obvious, Arthur is reluctant to accept her advances as he watches his father move out of the family home while his mother struggles to keep things together. Determined to find happiness, Arthur begins to fall for the irresistible Lila, even as he witnesses Annie and Glenn tear one another apart in a series of distressing encounters that occur at the same time as his parents begin separate lives. Then, on a cold winter morning, Glenn and Annie's past catches up with their future. In one shocking moment, all of the pain and struggle comes to a screeching halt. For them, and for everyone who knows them, nothing will ever be the same. (Warner Independent Pictures)… Expand

Director: David Gordon Green

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 107 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Owen Gleiberman

David Gordon Green's captivating winter-chill tragedy, is a tale that encompasses murder, divorce, adultery, alcohol abuse, mental breakdown, and the disappearance of a small child. In other words, it's downbeat enough to make the recent Oscar-nominated films look like party games. Read full review

Jeremy Mathews

With a deep understanding of his characters, Green has crafted a film that's devastating and uplifting without sounding a false note. Read full review

Justin Chang

Emotionally harrowing and gentle by turns, this well-acted winter's tale is a more narrative-driven experience than Green's more lyrical Sundance entries, "George Washington" and "All the Real Girls." Read full review

J.R. Jones

A powerful drama, but if I didn’t know Green had directed it I probably wouldn’t have guessed. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Frankly, Snow Angels is a downer. This isn't inherently a negative - after all, some of the cinema's most powerful motion pictures are downbeat. However, in this case, there's no emotional force behind all the gloom - just a sense that something's missing. Read full review

Andrew O'Hehir

Beckinsale tackles the downscale role manfully, but Rockwell is nearly unrecognizable as the pudgy, suicidally depressed, chronically inept Glenn, who's acting out a half-convincing portrayal of himself as a born-again Christian. Read full review

Wesley Morris

I left as frustrated as that band teacher is at the beginning of the movie. Enough with these meek, banal exercises, David Gordon Green. Hit me with the sledgehammer in your heart. Read full review

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User Reviews

JoeZ.

Mar 14, 2008

Sam Rockwell brings to the screen a very believable devastation of the heart. His acting is the best yet. It is not a happy story but the experience of true sadness has never been so well performed by this cast of characters.

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ChadS.

Apr 19, 2008

Once when Arthur(Michael Angarano) was just a boy, he spied on his babysitter in the shower. Even though Lila(Olivia Thirlby) occupies the left side of Arthur's bed, she will never replace the babysitter in his heart. Back in the day, Annie(Kate Beckinsale) didn't walk, she Once when Arthur(Michael Angarano) was just a boy, he spied on his babysitter in the shower. Even though Lila(Olivia Thirlby) occupies the left side of Arthur's bed, she will never replace the babysitter in his heart. Back in the day, Annie(Kate Beckinsale) didn't walk, she floated up and down the sidewalks of her small New England town. Years later, it turns out that Annie was mortal, after all. Arthur works with his former babysitter at a Chinese restaurant. You've seen Annie's type before. She's the incongruous knockout ringing up your groceries at the checkout line in your supermarket, or she might be the "sandwich artist" asking you if "...you want the meal." These women have a story. A hard-luck story. It usually involves marrying the wrong guy, and having the wrong guy's child. That's Annie's story. That's why she's waiting on tables. In "Snow Angels", we see both: the fruition of young love, and the disintegration of a love gone to seed. With a little more time, Arthur's idealized ardor for Annie might've come full circle. It would've been a travesty, but by no means, a tragedy, given the context of what happens. "Snow Angels" is a sad movie, but sometimes sad movies say so much.… Expand

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Mar 10, 2009

One of the most stunning, brilliant, and harrowing movies of the past decade.

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TomM.

Sep 24, 2008

Occasionally one comes across a flick that throughout its viewing it is difficult to believe that you are actually watching a film, that is, the portrayals and details of the storyline are so real it stuns. Snow Angels is such a film. Every character and every cast member shine in this Occasionally one comes across a flick that throughout its viewing it is difficult to believe that you are actually watching a film, that is, the portrayals and details of the storyline are so real it stuns. Snow Angels is such a film. Every character and every cast member shine in this incredibly human story, essentially about two couples--one, somewhat seasoned but estranged and trapped by irredeemable despair; the other, coming of age and enheartened by the discovery and hope of first love. Kate Beckinsale, as the struggling lead character, and Michael Angarano, as the grappling teenager, are absolutely perfect, as is Sam Rockwood, playing the reborn and suicidal ex-husband. Incidentally, Rockwood's portrayal of a drunk stumbling violently through scene after scene is about as masterful a performance as you'll ever want to see. The man is truly gifted. The pacing of the film is a bit disorienting at first, with parallel and allied scenes threatening to overwhelm; but, gradually the effect cooks, adding to the starkness of it all.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Meth-dude

Mar 21, 2017

The acting was very good, the story was interesting, even though it wasn't very original and the ending was actually pretty sad. It isn't anything mind blowing, but it's definitely worth seeing.

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JayH.

Sep 11, 2008

Very believably done, exceptionally well written. The performances are excellent and convincing. Fine direction. Fine film, although it can be a bit of a downer.

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ElizabethC.

Apr 4, 2008

This film does feature some good naturalistic acting by Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell, a good sense of place and the director has promise. Yet I found that I couldn't get involved with the characters, and I was bored despite the melodramatic plot. The fault is with the writing, This film does feature some good naturalistic acting by Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell, a good sense of place and the director has promise. Yet I found that I couldn't get involved with the characters, and I was bored despite the melodramatic plot. The fault is with the writing, which is very disjointed as it jumps from character to character. I also found the rather generic teenage romance to be superfluous and distracting from the main plot.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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