Barnum 008 witnessed the New England premiere of "Snow Angels", thanks to producer Dan Lindau on Tuesday evening. After its recent debut in the Sundance Film Festival, Warner Brothers agreed to release "Snow Angels" in theaters sometime next year.
While incorporating all the Sundance film attributes we all know and love - mellow indie music, innovative cinematography and heart-wrenching drama - "Snow Angels" reaches an emotional depth that even "Garden State" (2004) didn't come close to.
Amongst the snow banks of small-town America appears Arthur Parkinson (Michael Angarano) marching in his high school band. The scene seems simplistic, docile and almost humorous as the overly passionate band director attempts to fire enthusiasm into the completely indifferent group of kids - that is, until two gunshots echo in the distance.
Suddenly a web of story lines emerges, all intertwined, but generally focused on the plight of a young mother, Annie (Kate Beckinsale) and her four-year-old daughter Tara (Grace Hudson). After separating from her husband Glenn (Sam Rockwell) due to his drinking problems and suicidal tendencies, Annie attempts to maintain stability by working at a local Chinese food restaurant alongside Arthur, whom she used to babysit.
Their stories begin to intersect as she faces her conflict with her husband, her lover and his wife (conveniently her best friend), and Arthur deals with the conflict between his own estranged parents. "Snow Angels" showcases the worst aspects of human existence, all while highlighting the fact that no matter how dark things get, there are a few truly good people to lend a hand.
The film maintains a somewhat depressing feel, mostly due to the mixture of the bleak winter landscape, slow music and horrific events spread throughout. Fortunately, incredible acting across the board allows meaning to seep through what could otherwise be construed as a complete and utter downer. Each character's personal struggle - whether against love, death or separation - exposes his or her inner humanity in its rawest form.
Michael Angarano, best known as Jack's son from "Will and Grace" or Scott from recent episodes of "24," provides an astounding performance as Arthur in the film. Amongst the multiple failed or failing relationships, Angarano perfectly captures the seemingly idyllic high school relationship, preserving the idea that maybe there is indeed hope for some happiness in this world. His character is delicate and sensitive, yet impulsive and flawed, yielding believable, easily understood actions and responses to the events occurring in his small town community. Sam Rockwell as Glenn also delivers a moving performance. Each character in the film is utterly complex. Each has a dark side, yet all characters evoke an odd, almost inordinate amount of sympathy from the audience. Rockwell's Glenn captures this enigma, portraying an unemployed, suicidal, struggling alcoholic whose only interest is to turn his life around to regain the only things important to him - his wife and child. Unfortunately, he is unable to do so.
Kate Beckinsale, of "Pearl Harbor" (2001), "Serendipity" (2001) and the "Underworld" series (2003), stars in the pivotal female role in the film. Her emotions and vulnerability give the events around her a measure of believability often absent in similar independent films.
So many Sundance films have the same general feel - depressing yet hopeful - as they portray events occurring to the common man or, in this case, woman. The most important factor that sets "Snow Angels" apart from the rest is its connection to the emotions of the common man, rather than just exposing common conflicts and resolutions. You can see it in their faces, hear it in the music and feel it in each scene; the events this film exposes are real tragedies that touch the soul.
The cinematography is impressive throughout, utilizing nature as well as the small town scenery to reveal the various interactions and events. Unique scene transitions and shots eloquently intertwine the various plotlines, allowing them to come together in a meaningful manner, which highlights the themes of love and loss present beneath the surface.
In the midst of similar domestic family dramas such as "Little Children" (2006) and "In the Bedroom" (2001), this particular indie film is sure to shine due to its pure quality on every level. It evokes every feeling you hate to feel, meanwhile demonstrating human qualities generally difficult to accurately portray on the silver screen.
Needless to say, "Snow Angels"'s wide release in 2008 will definitely be worth the wait.
