The only reason you might see “Snow Angels” is if you want to see Kate Beckinsale act in a serious drama or if you are a Sam Rockwell fan. Otherwise, this gloomy film has nothing to recommend it.
Annie (Beckinsale) works as a waitress in a Chinese restaurant. She has a daughter and is separated from her husband, Glenn (Sam Rockwell), who, along with being an alcoholic, has tried to commit suicide. He has also found Jesus, but that has not been a positive influence on him. Annie is having an affair with her best friend’s husband, which serves to further upset Glenn. Also working at the restaurant is high school student Arthur (Michael Angarano), whose parents are separating. Arthur is oblivious to the subtle signs that a new student at his school, Lila (Olivia Thirlby, likes him. When tragedy strikes, all of these people will be impacted.
The people in this narrative are dysfunctional except the teenagers. Unfortunately, director David Gordon Green doesn’t spend enough time with them. And Green uses the monochromatic tones of winter to enhance the depressing atmosphere that pervades the film. He also includes a second ending that makes no sense other than he wanted to conclude with major violence. Dismal, discouraging, miserable, sad, disappointing – these are words that describe “Snow Angels.” Why would you want to waste your time? (3/30/08)
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