Beginning at the end, as far too many of these trendy circular-narrative screen soaps are prone to indulge in these days, Snow Angels digs up the dirt on a nasty web of local lovers. And they spend far too much time lusting after every prospective mate in this small college town, except their own.
Based on the novel of the same name by Stewart O’Nan and directed by David Gordon Green (All the Real Girls), the tragic tale unravels around the disintegrating life of Annie, a Chinese eatery waitress and single mom played by Kate Beckinsale. And she’s juggling a lot more than plates of chop suey, including a secret lover (Nicky Katt) who’s the mate of her best friend (Amy Sedaris); her emotionally scary estranged spouse (Sam Rockwell) going off the deep end since she dumped him; and a high school kid (Michael Anganaro) who buses tables at the restaurant.
And the busboy’s got a set of his own issues. Including figuring out how to handle his infatuation with Annie, who used to be his babysitter not long ago, while resisting the advances of a doting classmate (Olivia Thirlby). And dealing with the current breakup of his parents, after his college-teacher dad makes moves on a coed.
Powerful performances all around. But too many tangled and twisted family trees. Scorecard, please.
Warner Home Video
Rated R
2 1/2 stars
DVD Features: Keep Case; Full Frame.
