First Snow is a very worthy first film, and one that lingers in the mind long after the final fade-out.
First Snow (2007)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:71
Fresh:41
Rotten:30
Average Rating:5.9/10
Consensus: In First Snow, an interesting premise gives way to a slow and tedious noir that adds little to the genre.
Rated: R [See Full Rating] for language, some violence and sexuality
Runtime: 2 hrs 1 min
Genre: Dramas
Theatrical Release:Mar 23, 2007 Limited
Box Office: $100,519
Synopsis: Jimmy (Guy Pearce) is a smooth-talking salesman who finds himself making a detour after his car breaks down on a desert highway. To pass the time, he pays a visit to a local palm reader, Vacaro... Jimmy (Guy Pearce) is a smooth-talking salesman who finds himself making a detour after his car breaks down on a desert highway. To pass the time, he pays a visit to a local palm reader, Vacaro (J.K. Simmons). Vacaro makes a few positive predictions for him, but then appears deeply disturbed by a vision. Jimmy demands to know what he saw, but Vacaro refuses to tell him, and won't even accept payment for the reading. A few days later, Jimmy becomes uneasy when various predictions begin to come true. He returns to Vacaro and begs to know what is in store for him. Vacaro admits that, yes, Jimmy's days are numbered, and he is to meet his fate--whatever it may be-- upon the first snowfall. The news causes Jimmy to descend into paranoia and fear, and he begins to behave irrationally--endangering both his job and his relationship with his girlfriend (Piper Perabo).What tragedy is about to befall him? Should he worry about his heart murmur? The threats from a disgruntled ex-employee? Or his ex-best friend, a convicted felon, who has recently come back to town? He turns his life inside out, racing to alter his destiny before the first snow. Guy Pearce gives his usual electric performance, perfectly capturing Jimmy's slick egotism, and later, his wild-eyed fear. His puzzle-like quest for the truth combined with the film's noir-style is at times reminiscent of MEMENTO, though the pace is a bit slower, and the plot a bit clunkier. But the film does still manage to pose some intriguing questions about the idea of fate, and the notion of each life being on a pre-destined path. Like MEMENTO, FIRST SNOW will leave viewers scratching their heads in wonder, if not feeling more than a little spooked. [More]
Starring: Guy Pearce, Piper Perabo, William Fichtner, J.K. Simmons
Starring: Guy Pearce, Piper Perabo, William Fichtner, J.K. Simmons, Shea Whigham, Rick Gonzalez, Jackie Burroughs, Adam Scott
Director: Mark Fergus, Bob Yari
Director: Mark Fergus
Screenwriter: Hawk Ostby, Mark Fergus
Director: Bob Yari
Producer: Sean Furst, Bryan Furst, Tom Lassally, Robyn Meisinger
Composer: Cliff Martinez
Studio: Yari Film Group
Get This Movie
Reviews for First Snow
First Snow is solidly made -- which, for this sort of film, is nothing to sneeze at -- but it doesn't leave that strong an impression either. It's a decent freshman effort.
Fate plays havoc with a salesman's existence in [this] bleak psychological thriller about life and death in the New Mexico desert.
A haunting neo-noir about a man told by a palmist that his karma is about to run over his dogma.
A thoughtful, but tense, meditation on whether the knowledge of your impending demise would be a curse or a gift.
Scene for scene, Guy Pearce's performance opens up the movie's mostly regular ruminations on fate and free will.
Playing a human being unraveling and forced to peel away cocky outer layers to face his real self, Guy Pearce delivers his strongest performance in this film.
A fresh and surprisingly effective character-driven thriller featuring Guy Pearce in one of his strongest roles since Memento.
Held aloft by great acting and pretty good writing by director Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby.
Takes a silly premise -- a fortune teller predicts imminent doom! -- and spins it into a thoughtful, intelligent story about fate vs. free will.
A neo-noir picture that won't entirely satisfy, but offers enough incidental pleasures to make it a moderately enjoyable trip to the dark side.
A psychological thriller with the message that knowing about your impending death has a way of focusing your life and making everything supercharged with meaning.
This is first-rate work from a talented actor who is fated to become a star.
First Snow keeps audiences guessing - not necessarily about how the film will end but what path things will take to get there.
With its quiet, unassuming style and brooding intelligence, First Snow isn't the kind of movie that announces itself, but it's well worth seeking out, especially for moviegoers who complain that 'they' don't make movies for grown-ups anymore.
I was beguiled by both the eerie moods and the striking compositions, which incorporate large stretches of empty space.
"First Snow" leaves you with faintly haunting thoughts, which is nice -- one's always thankful for that rare movie that leaves you with any thoughts at all.
Latest News for First Snow
November 27, 2007:
RT on DVD: A Warm Slice of Waitress, A Side of Futurama, Hold the Lindsay Lohan Career Killer
This week, navigate the minefields of the rotten (Mr. Bean's Holiday, Hot Rod) and the even worse (Lindsay Lohan's career-murdering I Know Who Killed Me) to pick up a genuine... More...
June 22, 2007:
"Cowboys & Aliens" Graphic Novel to Become a Movie
Although the idea of a sci-fi western is nothing new, I'm down for any movie that deals with cowboys AND aliens -- let alone one that puts both of 'em in the title. More...
April 28, 2007:
Trailer & Poster review ![]()
More...
March 22, 2007:
Critical Consensus: "TMNT" Gets Shredded; "Mimzy" Is Mixed; "Shooter" Misses; "Reign" Shines; "Pride" Sinks; Guess "Hills" Tomatometer!
This week at the movies we've got turtle power ("TMNT"), whimsy ("The Last Mimzy," starring Timothy Hutton), conspiracies ("Shooter," starring Mark... More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 86% 86% | A Christmas Tale |
| 60% 60% | Paper Heart |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- First Snow at Rotten Tomatoes
- First Snow at IGN
Fresh Links
Featured

MSN Movies offers a little background on the success of Disney Animation.

TIME takes a look back at the history of vampires on film.

Techland examines the visual splendor of Peter Jackson's upcoming film.

AOL put together a list of 10 recent news items that would be perfect as TV Movies.

Hollywood.com's C. Robert Cargill explores how remakes and reboots have warped our thinking.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic


