Snow Angels

  • Review Date: October 1, 2008
  • R
  • Genre: Drama
  • 2008
 Review

Common Sense Media says

Emotionally intense story of small-town America.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has a violent ending that might disturb younger viewers. It explores themes of alcoholism, self harm, depression, infidelity, and the nature of violence. The contrast between sensual teenage discovery and adult acts of brutality may leave a lasting impression on sensitive viewers.

  • Glenn's emotional outbursts are terrifying. Infidelity among parents doesn't set a good example.
  • Gun violence in an emotionally intense scene. Self harm including hitting head against a truck.
  • Teen sex implied in scenes, but body parts not shown specifically. Infidelity is a theme here. Teenage boys briefly talk about porno movies.
  • Annie yells at 3-year-old, saying "Dammit!" F-words used at various points.
  • Random shots of American life show people gassing up at the tank. This is more about the have-nots than the haves.
  • Arthur has "weed" on him, that teens smoke at a crucial moment in the film. Glenn abuses alcohol to the extreme.

What's the story?

SNOW ANGELS traces the lives of several families as they intersect in a small American town. Arthur Parkinson (Michael Angarano from Lords of Dogtown) is a teen whose family life quietly crumbles while he puts in days at high school and nights working as a dishwasher at the local Chinese restaurant. His former babysitter, Annie (Kate Beckinsdale), who works with Arthur as a waitress, has trouble at home as well. But her troubles are amplified by her husband Glenn's (Sam Rockwell) teetering journey between born-again Christianity and his own demons. Amy Sedaris plays Annie's friend Barb, whose friendship is tested by Annie's behavior. Meanwhile, Arthur meets an interesting girl named Lila (Olivia Thirlby from Juno) whose unique vision inspires him to connect in an environment where connection can be fraught with disappointment, or danger.


Is it any good?

 

This darkly poetic film is based on a novel by Stewart O'Nan. Its characters explore the boundaries of what is acceptable and what is desirable in relationships. The violence in the movie attempts to explore themes of faith and abandonment, though it seems inevitable -- even ingrained. Overall the performances are outstanding, with perhaps the exception of Kate Beckinsdale's Annie, who for a brief moment when she ends things with her lover, seems to forget that a tragedy has taken place. Teens will be entranced by the budding romance, but alternately disturbed by the proximity of other people's problems.

"We're all part of a formation," says Arthur's teacher at band practice. "Every person matters. Every step is in anticipation of the next." This statement becomes a credo for this haunting film, as events of the past weeks untangle. Director David Gordon Green (Pineapple Express) paints a sensual, haunted portrait of contemporary post-industrial America. This is a land where evangelical ideals mingle with furtive trysts in motel rooms. Where bleak winter scenes and dark interiors are warmed by the sensuality of first love. It's also a place where devotion turns to violence, and silence is interrupted by terse emotional outbursts. The characters who have fewer illusions about their lives -- like Arthur and his mom -- are rewarded. Those who are steeped in illusion suffer a grim fate. Could this be a cautionary tale for our time? Green is a director to watch, and fans will enjoy this cornerstone of his repertoire.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about healthy relationships versus dysfunctional ones. What does it mean to be innocent? What does it mean to be disillusioned? How does Arthur cope with his parents' split? How does Glenn cope with his separation from Annie? How does one path lead to fulfillment and the other to destruction?


This review was written by Joly Herman
Adult
March 24, 2011
 
Great but intense movie.
This movie is incredible. Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell pull off the performances of their careers. The movie is intense and incredibly sad so it's not going to appeal much to kids. The is a fair amount of talk about sex but nothing really shown, language is fairly sparse but harsh at times. This is a movie all drama fans will want to see.

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This review was written by Joly Herman
Studio:Warner Independent
Director:David Gordon Green
Cast:Kate Beckinsale, Michael Angarano, Sam Rockwell
Genre:Drama
Run time:107 minutes
Theatrical release date:March 7, 2008
DVD release date:September 16, 2008
MPAA rating:R
MPAA explanation:language, some violent content, brief nudity, and drug use.

This review was written by Joly Herman
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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