Sunday, March 30, 2008
A+E, Movies, Reviews

Uneven acting doesn’t hinder moving ‘Angels’

Short review of "Snow Angels"

CREDIT: Courtesy of Warner Independent Pictures
Sam Rockwell and Kate Beckinsale in “Snow Angels”

“SNOW ANGELS”
Kate Beckinsale, Sam Rockwell
Directed by David Gordon Green
Rated R
Landmark Midtown Art Cinema

Small-town life has rarely been encapsulated as brilliantly as in the opening of “Snow Angels.” Self-important high school bandmaster Tom Noonan harangues his sullen, grossly untalented students after a bad rehearsal, but his diatribe is interrupted when two shots ring out in the distance. From there, the story jumps back a few weeks to introduce several potential shooters and shootees.

Arthur (Michael Angarano) is in the band, so we know he’s not involved. Arthur works at a Chinese restaurant with Barb (Amy Sedaris, effective in a rare serious role), who doesn’t know her best friend and co-worker Annie (Kate Beckinsale) is sleeping with her husband (Nicky Katt). Annie’s separated from Glenn (Sam Rockwell), who tried to kill himself before he found God and stopped drinking. Glenn has a new job, and wants to get back into the lives of Annie and their young daughter.

The story develops at a leisurely pace. While the pieces fall that make the final tragedy inevitable fall into place, another, more surprising tragedy occurs halfway through to shake things up.

Each of the principals has their moments, but Glenn has too many opportunities to rant, drink (he’s fallen off the wagon) and pray, sometimes all at once. Rockwell is good, but he overstays his welcome. David Gordon Green has done better at adapting Stewart O’Nan’s novel than directing his own script. Another director could have gotten more out of these actors, especially Beckinsale. Still, this moving drama realizes most of its potential. 3 STARS—Steve Warren