Poor Script, Writing Melt ‘Snow Day’

Fri., Feb. 11, 2000

David Hunter The Hollywood Reporter

A slushy mixture of poor writing and entry-level directing, “Snow Day” is sporadically humorous and strictly for younger viewers and families.

It’s a muffed ensemble goof-fest centered on the idea that the inhabitants of a small North American town have life-changing melodramas and everyone gets away with destruction of property and brazen disregard for authority when Mother Nature disrupts normal existence.

Chevy Chase as a competent but underappreciated weatherman and Chris Elliott as the dreaded Snowplowman are the two most prominent adults in a scenario that mostly centers on the former’s teenage son Hal (Mark Weber) and his love-struck quest to win Claire (Emmanuelle Chriqui), the town’s most popular girl, swimmer and dater of pompous jerks.

In his movie debut, director Chris Koch has a rough time with the uneven screenplay. There’s just no vital energy running through the film.

It actually takes about 20 minutes too long for a blizzard to blanket the town and start the titular event schools are closed, streets blocked, etc.

Nominally amusing antics ensue as a commando group of kids engage in premeditated acts of mischief. Their biggest target is Elliott’s hygienically challenged boogeyman who drives a big, smoking snowplow.

“Snow Day” is built on the flimsiest of premises, with the best moments being unhumorous.

The movies was filmed in Calgary and Edmonton. Blame Canada.

This sidebar appeared with the story: “Snow Day”

Locations: Newport Highway, River Park Square, Spokane Valley, Coeur d’Alene Cinemas

Credits: Directed by Chris Koch, starring Mark Weber, Zena Grey, Chris Elliott, Jean Smart, Chevy Chase, Emanuelle Chriqui, Schuyler Fisk, David Paetkau

Running time: 1:29

Rating: PG

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Poor Script, Writing Melt ‘Snow Day’

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