Snow Angels (2007)

If you're searching for a deliberately depressing film Snow Angels is definitely for you. Although there are numerous other depressing films available that actually warrant a viewing and the ultimate depression they may ensue, Snow Angels isn't one of them.

Snow Angels circles around a pair of stories, one following two high school students falling in love, Arthur and Lila, and the main story surrounding Annie and Glenn (Kate Beckinsale & Sam Rockwell), a separated husband and wife attempting to get their lives back on track. Small tidbits of back-story revealed throughout the film indicate Glenn was at one time quite the drunk, possibly what lead to their separation, and causing him to unsuccessfully attempt suicide. Now sometime later Glenn is attempting to set his life right, hoping to spend more time with his daughter and get back into the good graces of his wife. Understandably, Annie is a little weary of allowing Glenn to spend a lot of time with their daughter, and the feelings she once had for Glenn have appeared to completely disappeared.

As for Annie, her life is far from perfect. She appears to be a difficult person to live with and quite coldhearted at times, something which could have possibly driven Glenn to his state of depression and drunkenness hinted at by Annie's mother. Annie's a very independent woman yet still seems to need some companionship and love which she gains through an affair with her friend and co-worker's husband. Ironically he's not much more of a man than Glenn and the affair quickly comes to light, sparking a fire in Glenn who is quickly realizing his chances of reconciling with his wife are slim. Furthermore when their daughter wanders away in the cold of winter, because of Annie's lack of supervision, the consequences initiates the beginning of the end.

If you're familiar with my tastes and reviews over the past four years you'll know I'm not a big fan of independent films. Every once in a while I will come across something so seemly well done or quirky that I really come to enjoy, but for the most part independent films bore me. Interesting enough Snow Angels didn't bore me, but when the film was over I was left unimpressed. First off the story is entirely too long. Too much time is given to Arthur and Lila, two characters who seem completely out of place in the rocky story of Annie and Glenn. The fact that Annie babysat Arthur many years ago and they both work in the same restaurant is deepest connection the two stories ever have. Secondly, I felt nothing for any of the character's. Glenn is a loser, a drunk and a bum, and Annie seems to be too focused on herself to see the walls crashing down around her. Everything that happens to these characters is a result of their own actions and I find it hard to feel too sorry for them. So when the film continues to pour on the emotional baggage it doesn't produce much of the desired effect I believe the story is trying to gain. Sure subject matter is depressing but I find it hard to believe many viewers will gain much sympathy for most of those involved.

Overall, Snow Angels has enough going for it in terms of the acting performances from Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell, and the story strangely enough does manage to keep you interested, but after a while it's quite clear how this whole thing is going to end. Most complaints I have read seem to surround the characters back-stories, mainly that of Annie & Glenn. Viewers wanted to know more about how their relationship arrived at this boiling point. Personally I think what's provided throughout the film is enough to base an opinon on the characters, combined with their current actions. Although I would agree that had the film actually visually chronicled those prior events it might have made the film a little more complete. This could have easily been done by cutting out the Arthur storyline, which I found quite pointless seeing that 75% of the film focuses on Annie & Glenn with Arthur having very little to do with any of it. In the end, Snow Angels is a film better left to the true fans of the independent genre who like to find hidden meaning in meaningless places. Everyone else I assume, will have similar issues with the story and the characters and find this film less effective in what it attempts to do.

5/10