Review of Snow Angels (2007) by Vmedia Berkeley Ca. S — 02 Apr 2008

'Snow Angels' is a film that may be the first 08 picture that will be Oscar friendly, based on a book by Stewart O'Nan. It is directed by David Gordon Green, and stars Sam Rockwell, Kate Beckinsale, and Michael Angarano.

The story follows the lives of several people, including Annie and Glenn (Rockwell), Arthur (Angrano) and his parents, and others as some relationships are built and others are destroyed.

The film has a strong real life feeling to it, based on some amazing writing by Green and great acting skills by the cast. There are scenes where Annie yells at her child that may seem to be out of place at first glance, but are actually amazing true-to-life ways to express how sometimes parents lose their tempers with their kids, how sometimes kids can try to push their parents' buttons, or play their parents against each other without even knowing it.

The acting is Oscar nods, the cast shows a wide range. . There are times when you love and sympathize with the characters, and there are times when you hate them so much your blood boils . By the end of the film, you feel drained, as if you just watched someone you love die.

The script is chock full of wit, life at its best and worst, The movie left me wishing I could watch it again.

The only problem I found I saw was in the detail of time set, from the use of cell phones vs 70's turntables. The mix of what time zone this story sometimes gets confusing.

Beckinsale is at her best here, This is one of her best movies.

This film is on screens now as I post this, and will be in wider release this spring.

I highly recommend this film.

Vmedia.

Berkeley Ca UCB.