SNOW DAY
Snow Day, written by Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi, centers on
a young man named Hal (Mark Webber), who, although he is a nobody at school,
has eyes for the most popular girl, Claire (Emmanuelle Chriqui). The trouble
is, Claire doesn't know he exists, and she's already dating the school jerk
(David Paetkau). When a sudden snowstorm cancels school, Hal thinks he might
have a chance with Claire since "on a snow day, anything can happen."
Little does Hal know that his level-headed female friend Lane (Schuyler
Fisk) has a crush on him. Meanwhile, Hal's father (Chase) is a local TV
meteorologist forced to wear crazy costumes in an attempt to raise his sagging
ratings, and his little sister (Zena Grey) is on a mission to extend the
school holiday by stopping the much-feared "Snowplow Man" (Elliott)
from completing his duties.
There isn't anything overtly offensive about Snow Day, apart from
some flatulence humor which particularly prudish viewers may find unsavory,
but it doesn't really have all that much to offer, either. Perhaps the best
aspect, and the least appealing to kids, is the teen romance story, since
Fisk and Webber are the best actors in the film. There is a bizarre appearance
by shock-rocker Iggy Pop as a skating rink DJ addicted to easy listening
music (no children would ever recognize him), and some funny gags involving
Elliott and the farting kid. Chase is not doing his usual comic pratfall
schtick here; he's relegated to a more serious part, although he does take
an on-air sledride tumble down a snowy slope. Also appearing is Jean Smart
(Designing Women) as Hal's career-minded mother who has little time
for her kids between on-line meetings and self-administered pep talks. Finally,
there is a running gag involving the school principal (Damian Young) being
mercilessly pelted with snowballs wherever he goes.
The magic of an uscheduled day off is the theme of this film, and all the characters find ways to overcome their most daunting obstacles within the 24 hours represented. It's a reasonably pleasant diversion, but if it's snowy outside, I would think skiing, sled-riding, or engaging the neighbor kids in a spirited snowball battle would be a much more rewarding use of the time. **½