A brilliant creation of little-known but applauded director David Gordon Green (“All the Real Girls”), “Snow Angels” is a compelling, poignant story about the devastating helplessness that comes with unbearable loss.
Kate Beckinsale plays Annie, a young single mother working as a waitress in a Chinese restaurant in wintry Anytown, U.S.A. Overwhelmed with responsibility, Annie’s problems worsen when her estranged deadbeat husband Glenn (Sam Rockwell) relentlessly tries to get back in her life and play a larger role in the life of their 4-year-old daughter Tara.
Weaving through this storyline is Arthur (Michael Angarano), a high-school kid who was babysat by Annie as a child. Coping with the breakup of his own parents, Arthur meets the eccentric new girl Lila (Olivia Thirlby, who played Juno’s BFF in “Juno”). Their ensuing relationship is more realistic and endearing than any high-school romances portrayed on screen ““ certainly more than “Juno,” for that matter. Even in the sickeningly adorable moments between the two, we can’t help but root for them, knowing their relationship is the only secure one in the whole movie.
Right from the beginning, “Snow Angels” exudes a soft, endearing charm as the opening credits play to the music of a crappy high-school band (of which Arthur is a member). Somehow, it still manages to sound cool, and pure, because the sloppy sounds of badly blown trombones and off-beat drumming reflects the “who gives” attitude of high-school kids, setting the tone for the refreshingly genuine film that beautifully unfolds.
For the first part of the film, it seems like a lighthearted Coen Brothers-esque black comedy wrought with darkly humorous characters and snappy one-liners. Glenn is a jobless loser, jealous of Annie’s new boyfriend, but he’s really funny and likeable for his genuine awkwardness. Aided by Green’s brilliant writing, Rockwell is outstanding in his portrayal of the fragile, volatile character who just can’t seem to catch a break.
But the focus of the story changes swiftly from sweet, amusing small-town scenarios to a suspenseful, tragic drama once we delve deeper into the character of Glenn. As an alcoholic with a previous suicide attempt that renders him unfit for parenting, Glen relapses into alcoholism and depression after being rejected (on several occasions) by Annie.
When we do see Glenn drunk for the first time though, it’s not funny ““ it’s just sad. His desperation is evident, and Green perfectly captures his frantic, violent descent back into his old ways. Unease engulfs those around him, especially the vulnerable Annie and her daughter Tara, and hovers over the film while we wait for that thin layer of ice to break. When it does, it triggers a shocking conclusion to the film ““ drastically different from what we would have expected at the beginning.
The acting is flawless, and the characters are so believable, we can’t help but connect with them ourselves. We’re wounded when they’re wounded. We feel helpless when they are left stranded, and pine for a peaceful resolution, even when we know it can’t be possible.
“Snow Angels” is a draining emotional experience, but gratifying in its heartbreaking sincerity.
-Devon McReynolds
E-mail McReynolds at dmcreynolds@media.ucla.edu.