Let it Snow
Let in Snow *** (Not Rated)
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Reviewed By George O. Singleton
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I can't be a "we" before I'm an "I"
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James: Kipp Marcus
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Mitch: Henry Simmons
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Sarah: Alice Dylan
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Sarah's Dad: Larry Pine
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Beth: Miriam Shor
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Jenny: Sandra Prosper
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Elise: Bernadette Peters
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Grammy: Judith Malina
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Director: Adam Marcus
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Betsy: Season Oglesby
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30 Second Bottom Line: Two high school seniors, first meet on a "snow day" when school is closed. They become best friends and after going their separate ways in college, it becomes clear that possibly they should reunite with the romantic relationship that previously was elusive.
Story Line: James (Kipp Marcus) grew up in a house where his mother Elise (Bernadette Peters) set something other than a great example of how to have a romantic relationship. She had an active, (some might say promiscuous) sex life as a single mother, and his grandmother told him that "…we're doomed in love. The men leave and the women go crazy."
James and Sarah (Alice Dylan) are best buddies in high school who date without having sex. She thinks that he is a virgin but he convinces her that he is not by telling about his experiences with Betsy (Season Oglesby). His first three times having sexual intercourse were traumatic. First, he makes love when, from his viewpoint, "he's in" but he's not. It's over before he touches second base. The next time he makes it to the Promised Land but he leaves the rubber inside of her. Then when they seem to be getting it right, they are caught in the act by the unexpected arrival of her parents. This is really funny.
Tell Me More About It: What I liked quite a bit about the film was the depiction of the honesty in which we learn to deal with the awkwardness of our sexuality. It's a coming of age film that isn't - these young adults are making the transition from teenager to adult without the silliness we see in most films of people at this age.
Let It Snow is an offbeat, romantic comedy, which some will like better than others. It's got a definite independent non-Hollywood feel that is refreshing. You never know where it's going and because much of the humor is subtle, at times something funny will happen that you have not laughed at because the movie is moving faster than you are.
This is the first feature film by the Marcus brothers, Kipp and Adam. They already have a distribution deal in over 20 countries. They also are under contract from Warner Brothers for a TV series based upon this film.
Bernadette Peters is outstanding as the out of control mother who never quite gets over the fact that her husband left her and James when he was just four years old. She proceeds to see men whose major attribute is speaking a foreign language, with an interest in having her wrap her legs around their back.
Larry Pine as Sarah's dad is the intimidating father that most guys have had the displeasure of meeting at some time in the past. Henry Simmons is the missing link that Sidewalks of New York could have used as an intelligent African-American who knows how to pursue an education and career, while chasing the ladies. Miriam Shor, Sarah's roommate is the door blocker and sometime matchmaker that helps Sarah get her second chance at first love.
Most people don't want to or need to go back to their first love. Maybe because that love was platonic and they have played the field in between their reunion, even though the manufactured ending was stretching it a bit, the heart in this movie made that OK.
Not Rated
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George O. Singleton © 2001
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