Une poignée de neige

I check at least once a month to see if this fabulous film has finally been released on video. Just like the way that "Days of Wine and Roses" tackled the subject of alcohol addiction, this film tackled the subject of drug addiction like none other before or since. Terrific performances by all, especially Don Murray and Anthony Franciosa as the two brothers, each held to a different standard by a overbearing father played by Lloyd Nolan. There is also an appearance by a very young William Hickey of "Prizzi's Honor" fame in one of his first roles. This film is a window back in time to life in New York City in the 50's. I urge whoever owns the rights to this film, please release it on DVD

Good drama showing how a family can be far different than what it appears when certain members refuse to live in the present. Nolan was good as the bantam rooster of a father and Franciosa shone as the drunken yet solid older brother. As always Silva, with that cruel face, was well cast as a heartless pusher whose love for money can only lead to disaster. I wanted to slap his hyper little helper; what a creep.

I have had relatives addicted to street drugs. As this film shows, overdose is the least of your worries. Addicts not only throw their own lives away, they drag their loved ones down with them. They not only destroy the love you have for them but they endanger your life along with theirs. They make the character more sympathetic by being a veteran with PTSD. This film should be shown in all schools starting in third grade. Although realistic it is still more sanitized that reality.

Ah...the wealth of info that this website provides...never knew that our old pal Michael Gazzo wrote this play/screenplay...another piece of "Godfather" trivia I can now pepper my pals with....

And William Hickey's voice was a marvel of genetic engineering even back in his debut film...

"Hatful" may appear somewhat dated by today's standards and the direction and performances still seem more stage than film-oriented..but love seeing the old Brooklyn waterfront and those ESSO gas signs again...and the cast puts in a fine day's work...

If you liked this one...put "The Lost Weekend", "Man With The Golden Arm" and "Days of Wine and Roses" on the to-do list for comparison shopping purposes.

(And for you Tony Franciosa fans out there...you can now turn your attention to line 2 of Tom Waits' "Goin' Out West").....

My summary might scare off some, but this is not the infamous "Reefer" movies of earlier days. This film has a great cast, who work with a great script. Don Murray plays an unlikely addict because he acquired his habit as a wounded soldier. His addiction and effects on himself and family are the plot focus. The actors draw out our pity and condemnations. The film does not preach about addiction. The film does portray an ugly problem about drugs, be they legal or illegal. My generation which came to age in the 60's saw many films which showed the "fun" side of getting smashed or high. A great number of them are no longer living, or are shadows of themselves because of addiction.