It Snows All the Time

This is such a heartbreaking subject. I am not sure why some reviews are so low; the film tells a sad, but wonderfully done and extremely well acted story. Brett Cullen is such an underrated actor. I love that his amazing skills shine in this film. He, along with the cast and directors, has shown the world an honest portrait of a life and the lives around that life, how this horrible disease destroys everyone. I would give it more than 10, if I could.

Greetings again from the darkness. Dementia and/or Alzheimer's Disease have touched most every family by now; a fact that works to the detriment of this film from writer-director Jay Giannone and co-writers Erich Hover and Eric Watson. The opening screen informs us that it's based on a true story, and in fact, it's actually similar to countless family stories around the globe. Of course, this doesn't minimize the stress and strain and frustration and pain that this causes for family and friends, and it likely helps some understand that they aren't alone in this battle.

Dating back to the 1970 TV series "Mission: Impossible", and her 1980's movie work (VICTOR VICTORIA, the excellent CHOOSE ME, and classic CLUE), Lesley Ann Warren has long been one of my favorite actors, and here she again shows her feel for the material and each scene she's a part of. She plays Anne, wife of Paul (Brett Cullen, Thomas Wayne in JOKER), and mother of three sons: Tony (played by director Jay Giannone), Art (Sterling Knight), and Jesse (writer Erich Hover). The story picks up with Jesse coming back home to Omaha for a visit after moving to Los Angeles for work and adventure. Dad is late picking him up from airport, but mom is thrilled to see Jesse. Brother Art recently dropped out of college, and brother Tony is just so busy, it's hard for him to find time.

It's immediately obvious to Jesse that something is off with dad, though everyone else just seems oblivious or accepting of his diminishing abilities each time dad answers with his favorite line, "I'm fine." Denial is, of course, an easy initial response and obvious issue for loved ones, and mother Anne puts on an optimistic front with an ever-present smile ... all while living in fear of losing her life partner. Once Jesse forces the family to discuss the situation and have dad properly evaluated, the finger-pointing commences, until acceptance can be found ... all natural steps in the process.

Jesse tries to find common ground with his father via an old pickup truck and they take a fishing trip as a final hurrah. Again, all understandable reactions, while not necessarily being the wisest. There is nothing especially wrong with the film, although a stronger actor in the Jesse role could have helped, but mostly it plays like a film that should have been made 30 years ago when information on dementia was a bit more difficult to come by. Today, we look at this family and can't help but judge them for not reacting sooner to keep the dad safe and reduce their own stress. Jesse's relationship challenges seem misplaced and over-simplified, but we do witness what is possibly the worst on screen bar fight in the history of cinema. It's the clips at the end that sober us up quickly ... home movies of a vacant-eyed dad holding his first grandchild. Does he even know who he's holding? We can't be sure, but that's the horror of this disease.

In select theaters and VOD on July 29, 2022.

IN A NUTSHELL: The heartbreaking story is based on a true story, one of many true stories about families who experience Dementia, mine included. This family features Paul, who did everything a person is supposed to do to keep their mind healthy, but now he has early-onset Dementia. As his disease progresses, his family comes together to decide what to do.

In the movie, we're told that there are over 5 million Americans with Dementia. This film really hits close to home because my mother is currently living in a Memory Care facility with full-blown Alzheimer's. One of the characters in the movie states something very true when he said, "You just get to know your dad in a different way." It breaks my heart that my mother doesn't really know who I am anymore. She has lost most of her physical abilities, but she's just as sweet as ever.

The film was directed by Jay Giannone, along with writing help from Erich Hover and Eric Watson. Erich Hover also stars in the movie. The movie is dedicated to his father who passed away just last year. My sincere condolences to Erich and his family.

THINGS I LIKED: I've always liked Brett Cullen. He does a good job and even looks a little bit like the real Paul Hover.

It's been years since I've seen Lesley Ann Warren in anything in a long time. She looks amazing! I can't believe she's 76 years old already. I remember thinking she looked so glamorous in her version of Cinderella MANY years ago (1965 to be exact)!

The story takes place in Omaha, Nebraska. I actually spent a weekend there and had a great time! It's a small city but there are still plenty of things to do and see and eat there.

We get to see live footage of the real Paul from the true story, as well as photos of his family.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: There are some oddly-written scenes such as when the mom drops a plate in the kitchen and so the daughter-in-law walks in to help. She says, "I'm here for you" and then immediately walks out without even picking up the broken dish on the floor. What?

So much yelling and fighting. Family members get angry with their dad, even knowing that he has been diagnosed with Dementia. In my personal experience, you have to show lots of patience and kindness and even laugh at the mistakes. I started a journal where I wrote down all of the funny and ridiculous things my mother said over the years.

There are a lot of bad acting moments.

The direction looks pretty amateur with weak camera angles, some shaky cam, and rough transitions.

The mom rejects financial help from her son and instead, says, "God will provide." Ummm...maybe God is providing her with a generous, helpful son?! Later, she rejects the idea of placing her husband in a memory-care facility. It's important that none of us judge the choices of others in these situations. My sisters and I provided in-home health nurses to my mother as long as we could but at some point, it just became too much for the shift nurses, which is why we moved her into a memory-care facility where she would get 24/7 care. All of the decisions are extremely painful and difficult. We're so grateful that my twin sister is a Nurse Practitioner because she has helped us navigate the very complicated healthcare system.

Super melancholy, cheesy music throughout.

The fight scene in the bar was unnecessary and poorly filmed.

TIPS FOR PARENTS: Kids will be bored.

No profanity. Yay!

We see men punching each other in a bar after one of them grabs a woman's rear end.

A man gets lost in the woods, requiring help from a search party.

THEMES: "Family First" - Jesse (Erich Hover) Family responsibilities and duty Patience Dementia Love Aging