Snow Angels

Aroview: Grimly rewarding relationship drama set in smalltown '70s New England, based on the novel by Stewart O'Nan, in which a group of ordinary townsfolk try to come to terms with a tragic loss and each other's messed-up lives.

Directed with patient detachment by David Gordon Green - here in studious presenter-not-preacher mode - this slice-of-life hat-tip to THE SWEET HEREAFTER makes for mostly depressing viewing, occasionally offset by moments of delicate bittersweetness, including a rather lovely nascent romance between teenagers Angarano and watch-this-face Thirlby. Briefly given over to overwrought emotionality, but frequently compelling as a psychological character portrait, this is given extra oomph by resolutely realist performances from a strong cast given lifelike dialogue to deliver.

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