Snow Angel

When I had the opportunity to sit down and watch "Snow Angel", I did so without virtually knowing anything about the movie, aside from what I read on the synopsis. With "Snow Angel" being a movie that I hadn't already seen, nor actually ever heard about, of course I would opt to watch it, when I was given the chance here in 2025. So I didn't have any expectations to the movie, and was open for impressions.

Writers Gabriel Allard, Catherine Bérubé, Damien Bérubé, Marc Lapointe, Louis-Philippe Tremblay and Paul Van Dyck put together a script that utterly failed to entertain me. I virtually had no idea what the movie was about or what was going on. It felt like the writers had independently of one another written segments and left it up to director Gabriel Allard to attempt to piece their segments together to make a coherent storyline. And the end result was a boring mess of a scrambled story. It just goes to prove that too many chefs spoil a dish.

I tossed the towel in the ring 66 minutes into the 91 minute runtime. By then I was just bored to tears and had no idea what was going on or what the writers were trying to tell with the farce that was supposed to be the storyline.

I was not familiar with a single actor or actress on the cast list, which was actually a good thing. I do enjoy watching new and unfamiliar talents on the screen when I sit down to watch a movie. The acting performances were fair, no doubt about that, despite the fact that the script had been served to them through a blender first.

If you enjoy mystery thrillers then "Snow Angel" is not a movie that I would recommend you to waste 91 minutes on watching. And it most definitely is not a movie that I will return to attempt finish watching. It was a waste of time, pure and simple.

My rating of director Gabriel Allard's 2023 movie "Snow Angel" lands on a two out of ten stars.

Like many people, I kinda saw coming the end. Or I thought I saw it. My girlfriend wanted to watch the film, so I had to watch it a second time. That second view made me see the film in another perspective. It's not a masterpiece, but if you don't think that the film is about the end, it's a great flick. The actors are very good, especially the lead actress. We're with her, in her head and we can see the other characters puzzled by the way she deals with her situation. It's an Indy film so there is some flaws...like what's up with all that smoke? The snowboard scene is great but the other "action scenes" could have been better.

**MUST WATCH**

It is something of an amazing thing to have a movie produce and filmed in Quebec and for quebecers to call their own. It's with great pride and familiarity that people should watch this successful flick!

I loved the plot and will definitely be watching it again. Ill also continue to recommend it to as many people as I can.

Huge congratulations to the staff on the hard work, dedication, and completion of your first masterpiece!

I for one am extremely proud of this work of art and I am so deeply appreciative that you've delivered it to my screen for a great evening of enjoyment and entertainment.

It took a large familial and friendly community of folks to get this thing to fruition and for that and so many more reasons.... I am truly grateful.

Thank you!

**MUST WATCH**

Shot in twenty days on the site of an abandoned village of the Chic-Chocs in Gaspésie, the film opens with a terrible alcohol-related car accident scene.

Mary-Jane (Catherine Bérubé), a former snowboarding champion came to take refuge in a chalet in Gaspésie, finds herself among the victims. Several persons are killed. She feels responsible and must face the reproachful looks of the entourage of the victims.

She wants to get out of the chalet that brings back bad memories but a mysterious force seems to hold her back. It's only at the very end that the viewer understands why.

The director admires Darren Aronofsky, and as he delivers more and more intense scenes until the final crescendo. Nor does he deny the Christopher Nolan or Robert Rodriguez influence.

Self-produced and financed with the help of private sponsors, this movie is some kind of miracle. Nobody other than Gabriel Allard could direct and produce a film of this quality with a so low budget. Some american movies with a budget ten times higher do not bear comparison. I can't wait to see the next one.

The movie's soundtrack is also remarkable. The actors are all very good, but one of the strengths of the movie is the lead actress and joint filmmaker, Catherine Berubé, in my opinion one of the most talented actress of all times, of which it is the first feature film. She is in all the scenes and her performance is nothing short of breathtaking. Her participation alone adds a star to this movie.

This was a great little independent movie with a M Night Shyamalan type vibe. And being that I love that style of creepiness, I really enjoyed it. The movie had me intrigued and connected to the main character MJ. Catherine Bérubé is a great actress and I can easily see her in a lead lady or supporting actress role in a big budget American movie. The movie kept me guessing, confused in a positive way... The pace is very good. The plot has a major twist at the end that explains everything (no spoilers from me). It's a well achieved ending.

This is a great directorial debut from Gabriel Allard. I think this guy is going places. I will be keeping an eye out for his next project.