Snowmen (2010) User Reviews

Surprisingly Good

[neiljones1981 · 7/10 · 20 April 2014]

I tend to (with a few exceptions) avoid the mainstream movies that everybody has heard of and seen, in favour of the under-the-radar productions that premiere at festivals. They aren't made on a shoestring, but they don't have major budgets or major stars in them either. A large budget, or a big household name does not necessarily make a movie better, in my view. The biggest names in Snowmen are Christopher Lloyd and Ray Liotta.

Having read the premise of the film, I must admit I was expecting a cheap-and-cheerful kids production full of the most annoying and group of kids one could have assembled in a sequence of equally ridiculous and annoying situations.

In actual fact, what we ended up with was actually a really charming group of young actors and what turned out to be quite a good coming-of-age story as it turned out.

The three main leads all do justice to their characters; Bobby Coleman is really likable as the dying kid, Bobb'e J. Thompson's character plods around with a Jamaican accent that comes and goes, and Christian Martyn plays the bullied kid who eventually gets the courage to stand up for himself. Christopher Lloyd has a short role as the cemetery caretaker in this movie.

The movie may only run for about 80-85minutes, but there are worse movies you could have seen. You may not have heard of it, but Snowmen isn't a bad movie. If you broaden your horizons and look beyond the mainstream, there's lots of really good movies just like Snowmen to see.

A surprising gem

[adamjohns-42575 · 6/10 · 14 December 2020]

I have actively avoided watching this film for years, assuming that it was just another "Boys will be boys" bratty film full of kids. Well I was right about the kids, but not the rest. I actually really enjoyed it, it's got a sweet and thoughtful side that I did not expect at all and I had no idea that they'd find that in the snow??

It's a well put together film, Ray Liotta is Ray Liotta and a very annoying version at that, but the kids all do a great job. It's also very different from your other Christmas films, if you can even call it that as it's not even mentioned. But a charmer to be sure.

best family film I've seen in last couple years

[bobby-derringer · 10/10 · 2 December 2011]

not for everyone -- semi sweet semi sad, some brilliant elements... and it all ends gloriously! Great job. Great story. Reminded me -- there is life, after life.

(And altho' you can't take the "things" of this world with you – You can take the person next to you…by helping them find life, after life. That's what Billy Kirkfield learns – you can take the person sitting next to you – a son, a daughter, a sister, brother – a friend, by pouring our "spirit" – our lives, into another – we can take them with us on the journey beyond this life).

Christopher Lloyd who plays a caretaker in the movie is EXCELLENT – and talks to the heroes - - 3 fifth grade boys intent on setting a world record. And he asks them how this setting a record, makes other people…happy? He tells the boys of attending a lot of funerals and that when people talk about living a good life…its not so much what we do or did that matters…as to how we did it. That being a good person may be a purpose all in itself. Being a friend – even to someone who doesn't want to be friends.

Isn't that after all what the greatest teacher of all modeled? Highly recommend. Great film.

"Sno joke, this is a fine family film BUT the topic of death is front and center, you need to be aware of it before a showing

[inkblot11 · 8/10 · 6 February 2017]

Billy (Bobby Coleman) is a fifth grader who has had cancer. His hair is missing but since he lives in northern Wisconsin, he can wear a ski cap most of the time. For some reason, Billy believes he is dying soon and that his Dad, Reggie (Ray Liotta), a local car salesman, is not telling him the truth in order to make his last days happier. It doesn't help Bill's life view when he finds a dead body, a man frozen in a snowbank. Fortunately, Billy has a long time friend Lucas who makes him laugh and, right away, he makes pals with a new kid, Howard, who has moved to this frozen land from JAMAICA! The trio makes snow forts, go ice skating and try to avoid the school bully. One day, Billy gets the brilliant idea that he would like to leave a mark on planet earth and set a Guinness World Record. What would it be? Making the most snowmen in one day. The kids make flyers and soon the principal at school is giving everyone the chance to join Billy to set this record! But, troubles arrive. First, the sun starts to shine a bit too much, causing melting. But, in addition, Billy's dad finds out his son has the misguided notion of his impending death when he is not dying at all! How will this all effect the chance to set a world record? This wonderful film has so many strengths. First, Coleman, who once starred in Martian Child, is a charmer with much talent. He makes Billy one believable kid. The rest of the cast, including Liotta, Christopher Lloyd, Doug E Doug and others, is quite wonderful, too. Next, the Wisconsin setting makes living in the snow look like fun, even when its probably arduous, and the film's story is lively and touching. However, it is a serious look at dying. Billy states at the beginning that this is a movie about his death and, even though this proves not quite true, it will generate a roller-coaster of emotions in everyone who watches it. Nevertheless, don't let this deter you from arranging a view with family and friends. Ultimately, 'sno joke that Snowmen is eight foot deep in fun.

A Beautiful and Funny Drama

[benghill · 10/10 · 12 February 2018]

I have little criticism for this movie. It's plot, theme, characters, and actors were amazing. This movie seems like it's going to be sad, but it actually has a better happy ending.

The main character is Billy, a really sweet 10 year old boy. Due to his father lying to him in the past, Billy thinks he's dying. (Some father. If I have to criticize anything in this movie, it would be him.) Billy has 2 friends, Lucas (who he deems a coward because he doesn't like to do anything dangerous) and Howard (his new Jamaican neighbor. After the boys discover a dead body, they want to honor him by getting in the book of world records for building the most snowmen. One huge obstacle is school bully Jason. He is bigger and older than the other kids because he was held back, as Billy loves to point out. Jason appears to be a very evil bully, who specifically targets Billy and his friends. He hangs out at Kill Hill with the other bullies. When the day comes to build the snowmen, Billy and his friends must take snow from Kill Hill, causing a war between them and the bullies, where many snowmen are destroyed. Lucas doesn't think this is a good idea, but does it for Billy, even though Billy has repeatedly called him a coward. (Another small bit of criticism). Lucas gets a berating from Jason. Jason is soon humiliated in front of the entire school and even Billy feels bad for him. After he learns he isn't dying, Billy runs away to where he found the dead body. His friends follow him. Jason shows up to continue his fight with Lucas. Billy begs Jason to fight him instead. He sincerely apologizes for everything he's done: making fun of him for being held back and destroying Kill Hill. It is then revealed that Jason's bullying may not be so one-sided. Jason was always jealous of Billy and his friends and felt like an outcast himself. While he believes in the sincerity of Billy's apology, he still wants to beat him up. Right when he's about to punch Billy, the ice breaks below Jason and he nearly falls in. Billy saves Jason's life then falls in himself. It is then that Jason realizes what a good person Billy is and tries unsuccessfully to save him. It is then that Billy dies (only temporarily). He later wakes up in the hospital and everything is back to normal.

Everyone gets the happy ending they deserve. Billy learns he's not dying and still makes it into the book of world records. It is learned that the dead man has a family. Jason is accepted into the group of friends and stops bullying. Lucas shows bravery. Howard becomes a better skater.

This is a wonderful movie for both kids and adults. Other than a few character flaws, I find this movie nearly perfect.

Dreams and Children's realities mix, beautiful, beautiful...

[RosanaBotafogo · 8/10 · 3 July 2022]

Beautiful and sad movie, in the epilogue the protagonist announces his death during the current year, even if happy, as he said, I already know that I will get emotional... A beautiful film, with a playful but dramatic approach, prejudice and bullying, dreams and Children's realities mix, beautiful, beautiful...