Let It Snow Movie Review

Brief description

Four teenagers perspectives, one love. When a snow storm hits a small mid-western town on Christmas eve, a group of high school students journey towards a life of love and friendship. Their lives collide yet connect by the feeling of not being alone on a cold winter day. Nothing remains the same

Key themes

Keon's parents (a.k.a. DJ K-star-pow-money) left to visit family overseas. On their departure, Keon and his friend Tobin set up for the party at Keon's house. Whilst setting up, Keon and Tobin discuss Tobin's crush on long-term best friend Angie (a.k.a. the Duke). Unfortunately the conversation is disrupted as Keon's parents suddenly come back home - flights were cancelled due to heavy snow storm.

Dorrie wants to buy the perfect gift for best friend Addie. Dorrie takes Addie to go to see the gift and approve of it as it is a "'pig' commitment".On the journey there, Addie becomes obsessed with her boyfriend, Jeb, liking and commenting on Madison's Instagram post. This frustrates Dorrie as Addie no longer pays attention to Dorrie's opinions. Dorrie drops Addie off and drives off annoyed.

Julie, walking back to her seat on the train, bumps into a stranger leading to him dropping his phone. Julie intends to return the phone to discover the stranger is the famous singer, Stuart Bale. He initially assumed that Julie wanted to take a picture with him and kindly refused, but Julie insisted that her only intent was to return his phone and that she would 'never throw herself' at him.

Angie walks in on Tobin half dressed. She later discloses that she has been invited to 'hottie' JP's college frat party and wants Tobin to go with her. Despite appearing hesitant, Tobin agrees to going.

The train suddenly stopped, there was too much snow on the tracks. Both Julie and Stuart left the train. Although Julie appeared snarky at first, her and Stuart started to converse with one another and enjoy breakfast together at Waffle Town (a.k.a 'Affle' town).

Addie, stranded outside in the snow and frustrated with her distant boyfriend Jeb, she asks for a ride from the 'Tin Foil Lady'. On the journey to Waffle town, the two converse about phones and technology. Tin Foil Woman identifies Addie's obsession with her phone resulting in Addie's phone being thrown out the window.

Whilst at the party, Tobin decides to steal a keg of beer from twin bullies, resulting in a car chase. Unfortunately, Tobin's old car, 'Sheila', breaks down, so Tobin, Angie and JP, stop at the local church. After some third-wheeling in the church, Tobin reveals his opinions about JP - creating conflict.

Addie arrives at Waffle Town and discovers her boyfriend Jeb is there with his friends and Madison. She creates a scene by pouring milkshake on Madison. Addie leaves annoyed as Jeb doesn't support her. Dorrie follows her out and tries to make Addie realise that she is too obsessed and should care about those that actually care about her. Addie leaves.

Julie and Stuart end up at the local church, where Stuart meets Julie's sick mother. Stuart is invited to Julie's house where he also meets her grandfather. At first, the grandfather has concerns about Stuart being a celebrity, but they eventually get along on the love of music.

Addie, alone in the snow, comes to terms with the fact that she is alone this Christmas eve as she has closed off the people close to her and the people she wanted to be with have left her out. When speaking to the Tinfoil Lady, she realises that she does want something for Christmas other than her phone; her best friend Dorrie.

Whilst assuring Stuart that her mother is fine, Julie becomes annoyed with the idea of Stuart trying to help her and her family as if they are a "charity case". This leads to a heated argument where Stuart reveals a truth to his reality, that he is alone at Christmas. The heart to heart leads to a chemical moment when the couple are about to kiss and then the doorbell rings. Stuarts publicist shows up at the door and tells Julie to not post their pictures or "get attached". Stuart asks Julie to "come with me [him]", but Julie politely declines the offer. They part ways.

Addie shows up at the Waffle Town with the pig that Dorrie intended to buy Addie for Christmas. Addie apologises and the friends make up. Addie encourages Dorrie that she should be with someone who makes her happy, instead of chasing after a girl who pretends that she doesn't like Dorrie when her friends are around. Dorrie speaks up for herself, which didn't make her throw up, but she did eventually win the girl.

Standing outside the Waffle Town party, thrown by Keon, Tobin is met by Angie, where he finally reveals his feelings for her. We find out that the feeling is mutual. They were always meant to be together, and so they kiss.

Addie, whilst looking for her pig, finds pig in the arms of JP. They only shared a smile, but it's the start of something new.

Whilst talking to Dorrie about how 'crazy' the day has been, Julie mentions how she used to hate Stuart Bale's song but now loves it, when she was interrupted by the man himself. Small words are exchanged, but they share a big kiss.

The party at the Waffle Town continued; the place where the four high school teens kissed their love for Christmas.

Key observations/criticisms

• How is there a train service running in the heavy snow weather, especially on Christmas Eve?
• How was Julie and Stuart able to leave the train? There were no instructions allowing permission to do so and surely there would be a lock down?
• Why did Stuart leave the train, he had no real reason. Even if it was to go to the Waffle Town to get food, why did no one else do so/follow?
• The woman sitting next to Julie recognised Stuart, why didn't she run to him or ask for a photograph/picture? Why didn't she follow him out of the train?
• Stuart appeared to have a wedding ring band on his left hand on the 'ring finger'. Is he married? Why did he have a ring?
• For a weird 'tinfoil lady', she is very talkative. Why does she wear tinfoil? What purpose does it bring to the story?
• Why didn't the back of Tobin's car crash when he was hit? The car is old, surely it would shatter?
• If Julie is not into Stuart, why does she allow both of them to get onto the same sleigh, after just meeting? What happened to her morals?
• Why was the Church empty when Tobin, Angie and JP entered? Why did no one come out?
• When did Stuart have time to change when he went to Julie's house?
• Tobin pretended to be a wise man, why didn't the woman in the church check on him? Tobin sat in his car and missed the service. In the service, there were no nativity scene, the service was about being inclusive of all religions and cultures. What was the need for the wise men costume?
• How are JP and Angie siting at the top of the church during the service? How was Tobin stuck in the ditch during the service, why did no one help him?
• The Tinfoil Lady, who is the pick-up truck operator, was driving around all day, why did it take her so long to get to Tobin?
• Why didn't Stuart have any missed calls from his manager or agent? Why didn't he acknowledge that?
• Why did Julie's grandfather allow Stuart into Julie's room, alone?
• Why is Keon so obsessed with throwing this party? What purpose does it serve to him? To gain followers? (101 viewers on Instagram live)
• Is Billy the owner of the Waffle Town?
• How did Stuart's publicist find him? Why did it take that long?
• Why is no one reacting to Stuart being in the Waffle Town, especially as his song was playing conveniently at the same time? Keon recognised Stuart, why didn't he give a shout out in the party or Instagram live the fact that there is a celebrity at his party?
• Keon's story was never finished - why did he want to throw the party? What about his parents? Why did Keon's parents want to travel abroad without Keon?
• Why did Julie's grandfather 'Google' Stuart Bale? What reason did he have to? He clearly didn't recognise Stuart as a celebrity, he probably didn't know he was a celebrity. This indicate that Julie told him, by why would she when she wasn't into all the celebrity obsession?
• If Julie's mother is actually sick, why was she out alone in the cold? Why didn't Julie's grandfather go with Julie's mother to church? To be honest Julie's mother didn't appear as sick as Julie describes her

Conclusion

Let it snow has many cliches: strict Asian parents, Asian male rebellion; classic boy in love with his girl best friend; classic friend fight over a boy; classic girl who plays to hard to get but eventually falls for the guy. However, the movie has its own magic; the magic of snow. It appears that the Waffle Town symbolises connectivity and marks the place where all the main characters find love, a.k.a, kiss. The film presents growth of the characters as they all find their way to a magical Christmas, where it snows.

Cast

Keon - Jacob Batalon

Tobin - Mitchell Hope

Angie - Kiernan Shipka

Julie - Isabela Merced

Stuart Bale - Shameik Moore

Dorrie - Liv Hewson

Addie - Odeya Rush

Tinfoil Lady - Joan Cusack