Snow Angels | Kate Beckinsale, Sam Rockwell | WHY WASN'T THIS IN THEATERS??

Snow Angels | Kate Beckinsale, Sam Rockwell | Vivid, haunting portrayal, of the depths of human despair.

DVDs:

Snow Angels

	Snow Angels Kate Beckinsale, Sam Rockwell Warner Home Video, 2008 average customer review:based on 19 reviews view larger image
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WHY WASN'T THIS IN THEATERS??

I REMEMBER SEEING A TRAILER FOR THIS MOVIE, AND WANTED TO SEE IT IN MY LOCAL THEATER BUT IT NEVER CAME, INSTEAD WE HAD SEVERAL SHOWINGS OF INFERIOR MORE COMMERCIAL CRAP, BUT THAT BEING SAID I BOUGHT THIS DVD NOT REALLY KNOWING WHAT TO EXPECT AND WHILE IT TOOK A WHILE TO DRAW ME IN, I WAS CAPTIVATED BY THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR INTERLOCKING PERSONAL LIVES WITH THEIR PERSONAL DEMONS, WHILE I DON'T WANT TO MAKE THIS OUT TO BE A CHICK-FLICK, IT DOES HAVE ONE VERY SWEET TEEN-AGE ROMANCE, IT IS MAINLY A CAPTIVATING DRAMA BETWEEN ANNIE (KATE BECKINSALE) HER EX-HUSBAND GLENN (SAM ROCKWELL)WHO ARE COMPLICATED, FLAWED AND VERY COMPELLING CHARACTERS, OVER-ALL THIS IS A VERY WELL WRITTEN, EXTREMELY WELL ACTED MOVIE, I HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THIS MOVIE FOR ADULTS, I DON'T THINK YOUNGER PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T MADE PAINFUL MISTAKES IN THEIR PERSONEL LIVES YET WILL APPRECIATE IT AS MUCH AS I DID.
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Vivid, haunting portrayal, of the depths of human despair.

This is one of the most pathetically sad and depressing dramas that I think I've ever watched. It was like watching a slow train wreck. As the viewer I just wanted to reach out to these emotionally arrested characters, shake them, and yell---stop it, can't you see you're all self-destructing! But, you can't shake inertia, apathy and depression away, can you. Left unchecked, at its worst, it can make one do terrible things. This is a movie that explores the mind's descent into that Hell.

The film takes place in a small Pennsylvania town, where mandatory Prozac in every household might have helped. In some ways the characters reminded me of the series/book Empire Falls. If you loved those characters, you will likely enjoy this movie too, but be prepared---this movie is darker...much darker and lacking the humor of EF.

The film represents a lot of small town angst; dead end jobs, lack of opportunity and everyone knows your business. Annie (Kate Beckinsale) married her high school sweetheart Glenn (Sam Rockwell). After several years together, they've grown apart. Glenn's ne'er do well behaviors, no doubt, added to the distance between them. He was having trouble keeping a job and hitting the bottle seemed his only coping strategy. She viewed him as irresponsible and herself hopelessly tied to a mundane existence, with no way out. She turns to another, who makes her feel wanted, but he's even less worthy of her time. Glen strives to reconcile, but continues to do all the wrong things and Annie sets up even tighter boundaries, fueling Glenn's rage and his depression, now verging on psychosis. The tie between them remains their small daughter. Annie supervises her visits with Glenn closely, feeling he's too irresponsible to oversee her care. But, is Annie the most responsible parent?

The peripheral characters in this movie are dealing with their own issues, while watching Annie and Glenn self destruct. The teenager, Arthur(Michael Angarano), experiences some coming-of-age moments that are played out very well, as are his other family relational issues. It appears that these are the folks that have some growth from observing the towns' favorite couple imploding with depression, in their midst. But, believe me...the Golden Retriever seemed to be the only character in the movie that was consistently stable and he doesn't remain without despair either.

The acting in this movie was absolutely superb---by ALL. Kate Beckinsale was at her best and Sam Rockwell was riveting. I'm glad I watched this film just to see these performances. However, it left me profoundly sad and the little beacons of light that were revealed weren't enough to make up for the pain surrounding the major theme. I was yearning for some of these characters to find redemption. But, such is life---I know.

Do I recommend this movie? Absolutely! But, if you're already feeling a little melancholy, it might not be the best time to dive into it.

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A harrowing ride into the dark recesses of the human soul

"Snow Angels' is one of the most depressing movies I've ever watched, yet it is also a well-acted, searing human drama that explores the complexities of human relationships and the darkness within some souls.

The story begins in winter in a small town in Pennsylvania, with members of a high school marching band rehearsing on a football field. Suddenly, two shots pierce the air and we are taken via flashback to a few weeks prior where the drama unfolds.

Annie [Kate Beckinsale] is a single mom and waitress who is separated from her loser husband, Glenn [Sam Rockwell] and they have a little girl named Tara who lives with Annie. Glenn is desperate to get back with Annie [going so far as to try suicide when Annie dumps him] and is basically a very unstable person. To complicate matters, Annie is sleeping with her best friend Barb's [Amy Sedaris] husband[ Nicky Katt] a philanderer and jerk.

Then there is teenager Arthur [Michael Angarano] who harbored a childhood infatuation for Annie [his ex-babysitter] and whose own life is beset by family problems - his parents [Jeanetta Arnett & Grifin Dunne] decide to live apart due to dad's adultery.

However, amidst all this convoluted human suffering and relationship woes there is a spot of happiness - Arthur forms a close bond with a new girl in school, Lila [Olivia Thirlby from Juno and The Secret] and their blossoming relationship is a relief against an otherwise gloomy backdrop.

The acting in this movie is above average - Kate Beckinsale flexes some serious acting chops here and her character really goes through some terrible upheavals. Sam Rockwell as the estranged husband Glenn is also worth mentioning as his character comes to personify a truly unhinged person driven to desperation.

The movie is basically a long ride down a dark path of human misery with nothing to cheer about [except perhaps the two teens], but it is a riveting drama that kind of sucks you in to the point you just feel you have to watch it to its inevitable conclusion. Final verdict - worth watching but one may want to follow this up with a more uplifting offering!

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reviews: 1, 2, page 3, 4

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