First Snow

R

Released Mar 23, 2007

1 hr. 41 min.

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

List

58%

73 Reviews

Tomatometer

41%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Jimmy (Guy Pearce), a fast-talking salesman, has big ambitions. While selling flooring, he has an idea that will make him a rich man. His dreams come to a grinding halt when his car breaks down in a small desert town. To pass the time he seeks the advice of a roadside fortuneteller. Though at first the soothsayer's predictions are good, the session ends abruptly when the man pulls away in terror, for Jimmy is fated to die when the season's first snowflakes fall.

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Critics Consensus

In First Snow, an interesting premise gives way to a slow and tedious noir that adds little to the genre.

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DanTheMan 2

Abstract pretentiousness combined with bleak inevitability, First Snow is a real plod to get through with predictability hanging low over its head. It's a middling pedestrian thriller at its core but between the more sour aspects of its storytelling lies some dauntless attempt at earnestness. From an underused and subdued J.K. Simmions, Cliff Martinez's understated score and neat direction leave little room for interest throughout its runtime. First Snow marks so much missed potential that the sum of its parts isn't enough to satisfy most palm readings.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/14/24

Full Review

Mike J

Sonic King is lord king

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/28/22

Full Review

Audience Member

Não sei se faltou apego, empatia ou carisma, o que sei que apesar da tentativa forçada de ser dramática, com tons sombrios, fotografia escura, trilha melancolia, sonoplastia de mistério, não embalou, gostei da trama entruncada entre os ex amigos da infância, e o desfecho, os últimos 30 minutos valeu pelo filme, a verdade vindo a tona, a redenção com a confissão...

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

ronald h

_First Snow_ is a tense thriller, but it's entirely psychological, with no violence to speak of. Alfred Hitchcock knew that what's going on in a character's mind can be more interesting than what's going on in reality--as he demonstrated so well in _Vertigo_. _First Snow_ doesn't rise to the level of that classic film, but it's well worth a watch. Because of its premise, there is an inexorable feel throughout _First Snow_ that we're moving toward something climactic. Vacaro, a fortune teller, played gracefully by J.K. Simmons, tells an arrogant, shifty salesman Jimmy Starks (Guy Pearce) that he will not live beyond the first snow in the upper desert of New Mexico--which, according to the weatherman on the radio, is coming soon. But he has no specific information about how Starks will die. Needless to say, Starks becomes paranoid and starts ruminating about things he's done in the past that might lead to his demise. There's one red herring, but he eventually realizes the real danger. The film is a slow burn. It patiently works its way to an ending that is both tragic and thought-provoking. Many critics thought the ending was contrived or not handled well. I disagree. I thought it was perfectly appropriate to the theme of fate versus choice in our lives. And I liked the way the ending was presented. It's not a big violent blow-up scene. It's quiet and straightforward, consistent with the whole feel of the film. Guy Pearce turns in a strong performance as a man whom we don't like at first because he's such a bullshitter, but as he suffers through his psychological torture, we find ourselves caring about his fate. Supporting actor William Fichtner, as Starks' fellow salesman Ed, is perfect as Starks' foil and buddy. Piper Perabo, as Starks' girlfriend, is adequate, but her part is under-written. We really know nothing about her. But maybe that's intentional. This movie is about one self-absorbed man's fate, and everyone else is peripheral. Action / thriller fans will hate this movie.Viewers who like subtle, psychological / existential movies will appreciate it. Definite 4 stars. By the way, in the last couple of minutes, note the pickup truck on the road when the radio announcer delivers the bad news. It looks like Vacaro's. Clever.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Starts promising but fizzles to not much.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/01/19

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Audience Member

"Your fate lies on whatever road you take. Even if you choose to run from it" Guy Pearce is a very talented actor that hasn't quite achieved the leading man credentials he so thoroughly deserves. However, he still has a knack for choosing great roles. The real gems among his work tends to be lower budget indie fair. Some can hit the quality heights of Memento or L.A. Confidential and reach a mass audience while others become respectful career choices that tend to slip under the radar. Personally, I think Pearce's choices are always very interesting and First Snow is a prime example of his astute eye for a good role and project. Jimmy Starks (Pearce) is a cocky salesman who's car breaks down outside a desolate New Mexico town. To pass the time he pays a visit to a roadside fortune teller (J.K. Simmons). Although skeptical, Jimmy soon realises that the psychic is no con man and he's told that his future is very bleak. In fact, he's told that his life will come to an end when the first snow arrives, leaving Jimmy to explore how his fate will be sealed. Making his directorial debut, screenwriter Mark Fergus (Children of Men, Iron Man) sets his stall up with a metaphysical tale that wouldn't be out of place in a Twilight Zone episode. The premise is simple (but all the more effective for it) and there are elements that also bring reminders of Pearce's Leonard Shelby from Memento. With a similar claustrophobic edge, his character is holed up in his apartment - or the occasional motel room - having anxious discussions on the telephone that may or may not seal his fate. It's this psychological angle that really benefits this impressive and intriguingly abstract neo-noir. It's very well shot and the always reliable Pearce adds another solid character to his resume. He shows great range and holds the whole film together with his ability to switch from cocksure arrogance to paranoid wreck and has you delighted when it comes to watching him squirm. Pearce's effortless range really brings his character to the fore but what also works is it's haunting atmosphere and ability to maintain it's eeriness and mystery on such a low-key scale. It's a slow burner that explores the theoretical themes of predestination and self-determination and has you constantly wondering how events will pan out for our conscience-stricken protagonist. Unfortunately, the destination of his repentant road doesn't end as well as it should. After a such a gripping build up, the pay-off feels rushed and unsatisfactory but up until this point it's a very involving thriller. An impressive feature debut from Mark Fergus and on this evidence it's a shame that he hasn't stepped behind the camera since. The ending may let it down but this is still a taut, psychological mystery that deserves to receive a wider audience. Mark Walker

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

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Mark Fergus

Director

Guy Pearce

Jimmy

Piper Perabo

Deirdre

William Fichtner

Ed

J.K. Simmons

Vacaro

Shea Whigham

Vincent

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Roger Moore

Orlando Sentinel

The movie has a lovely paranoia about it that Pearce, as Memento and L.A. Confidential told us, is a master at conveying.

Rated: 4/5

May 13, 2009

Full Review

Sheri Linden

Hollywood Reporter

A fresh, intelligent and thoroughly involving psychological thriller.

Dec 4, 2007

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

I was beguiled by both the eerie moods and the striking compositions, which incorporate large stretches of empty space.

Nov 27, 2007

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Peter Keough

Boston Phoenix

Predictability hangs over Mark Fergus's skillful debut feature, but not enough to detract from the intensity of the mood, the rhythm, and the performances.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 23, 2009

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Louise Keller

Urban Cinefile

A first rate thriller, First Snow is about a man haunted by his past who revisits it in a bid to change his destiny. It's a terrific role for Guy Pearce, who ably carries the film on his shoulders

Jan 29, 2009

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Liz Braun

Jam! Movies

First Snow is an auspicious directorial debut for Mark Fergus. It will be interesting to see what he does next.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jun 23, 2007

Full Review

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Synopsis

Jimmy (Guy Pearce), a fast-talking salesman, has big ambitions. While selling flooring, he has an idea that will make him a rich man. His dreams come to a grinding halt when his car breaks down in a small desert town. To pass the time he seeks the advice of a roadside fortuneteller. Though at first the soothsayer's predictions are good, the session ends abruptly when the man pulls away in terror, for Jimmy is fated to die when the season's first snowflakes fall.

Director: Mark Fergus
Executive Producer: Oliver Hengst, Ernst-August Schneider
Screenwriter: Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby
Distributor: Yari Film Group
Production Co: El Camino Pictures, Furst Films
Rating: R (Some Violence|Sexuality|Language)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 23, 2007, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 11, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $213.0K

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