Winter marches on, and nature is intent on proving that. Forecasts show an inbound flurry in the Charlottesville area, with some models predicting over 20 inches of snowfall. If these predictions come true, you can expect to spend some time trapped indoors this weekend. Here are four snow-capped films that feature the winter precipitation in all of its glory. With some simply set in snowy areas and some with climactic snow-graced moments, these films are perfect to match — and help you withstand — the days ahead.
“Anatomy of a Fall” (2023)
The Palme d’Or winning courtroom thriller directed by Justine Triet has become one of the decade’s international sensations. Sandra Hüller gives a brilliant performance as Sandra Voyter, a writer who comes under scrutiny after the suspicious death of her husband. As the shady details of her life gradually come to light, the true nature of their relationship is unveiled.
The film is primarily set in Voyter’s remote cabin in Grenoble, France. The lingering shots of the Alps and the pure white snow provide a stark contrast to the bloody events the movie follows. Anchored by pitch-perfect writing and impressive performances, including one by a dog named Messi, “Anatomy of a Fall” is a tense, fascinating character study with a mystery that lingers even after the credits roll.
“Fargo” (1996)
Directed by the Coen brothers, “Fargo” is a crime drama about a car salesman who hires two criminals to kidnap his wife in hopes of securing ransom money from her father. Due to the criminals’ ineptitude, the situation develops — or snowballs — into something much more serious, though the film remains hilarious despite the circumstances. Set in Minneapolis against hazy snowy plains and an expansive frozen lake, the frosty Midwest is a fitting backdrop for the film’s seedy story.
Frances McDormand, who plays Marge Gunderson, won an Academy Award for her portrayal of the police officer assigned to investigate the case. In addition to her over-the-top Minnesotan accent, she brings a warmth that provides much needed respite from the movie’s otherwise biting atmosphere. A sharp screenplay, strong direction and standout performances make “Fargo” a darkly comedic experience and a cinematic great.
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” (2014)
Directed by Wes Anderson, “The Grand Budapest Hotel” is a world-class wintry tale with cinematography that will make your snowed-in weekend feel surreal. The film follows the trials and tribulations of Gustave H., the concierge of the titular Grand Budapest Hotel, as he seeks to recover a famous Renaissance painting after being framed for the murder of a wealthy woman. The film features a star-studded ensemble cast, including Ralph Fiennes, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton and more.
While snow is not necessarily always present in the film, perhaps its most memorable scene involves a delirious ski chase down snowy slopes. Exploding in color and backed by a delightful soundtrack, the movie is an overt showcase of Anderson’s signature quirky symmetrical style. It is also one of his most thematically dense, examining topics like the power of nostalgia and rise of fascism — something to consider if you prefer a thought-provoking snow day.
“The Shining” (1980)
Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s 1977 novel is a masterclass in dread and tension against the snowy backdrop of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. “The Shining” follows Jack Torrance, a mentally unstable writer, who takes a job as a caretaker at the Overlook Hotel and brings along his wife Wendy and son Danny — played by Shelley Duvall and Danny Lloyd, respectively. When the harsh winter slows visitors and isolates the Torrances, the hotel’s ghostly secrets drive Jack into madness and he begins to model exactly how to not deal with a snowstorm.
“The Shining” had a poor initial reception, but has since aged fantastically, evolving into a landmark of the psychological horror genre. Its score and editing provide a deeply unsettling atmosphere and the entire film is elevated by Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duval’s excellent performances. The film also features some of the most well-known iconography in horror, including the eerie set of young twin girls, an elevator flooded with blood and Jack Nicholson’s classic “Here’s Johnny!”
Those in hopes of faring better than Jack Torrance during the potentially snowed-in stretch ahead would be well-suited to watch some of these picks. While the weather may prove formidable enough to endanger roads and cancel classes, it cannot get in the way of great cinema.
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