Title: Snowmen
Directed by: Robert Kirbyson
Starring: Bobby Coleman, Josh Flitter, Bobb’e J. Thompson, Doug E. Doug, Christopher Lloyd, and Ray Liotta
Running time: 86 minutes, PG
Three friends in a small town plan to break the Guinness World Record by building the most snowmen in a single day in order to be remembered forever.
This is one of those DVD’s where you can’t look at the cover first, because it will give you the wrong impression. While this is a cute family movie, it’s got a darkness about it.
The lead character Billy Kirkfield (Bobby Coleman) is in remission from cancer. He and his two friends Howard (Bobb’e J. Thompson of Role Models) and Lucas (Christian Martyn) find a frozen dead man in their front yard. Because the dead man went seemingly unnoticed, Billy fears his own pending mortality and vows to do something to make a mark on the world, so he won’t be forgotten like the “Snow-Man.”
The only thing I didn’t buy was the bully character Jason (Josh Flitter). What kind of a-hole makes fun of a kid dying from cancer? That’s messed up. I’ve had my own run-ins with bullies growing up, and none of them ever had the balls to pick on the sick kids or the mentally disabled. Why? Because that’s effed up. His character redeems himself in the end, but I didn’t like how his character was written.
The special features include a commentary by director Robert Kirbyson, Bloopers & Outtakes, behind the scenes featurettes including a bit with Doug E. Doug (finally getting on a bobsled), and a tear-jerking featurette involving an extra who was granted a wish from the Make a Wish Foundation to be in a feature film.
This film is so heartwarming and cute. I am not one who goes out of their way to watch a family film, but I am glad I had the opportunity to watch this one. The only annoying factor that’s forgivable would have to be “Profound.”
Total Rating: A
Reviewed by: JM Willis
