“Let It Snow” (November, Netflix) comes from a 2008 novel co-written by coming-of-age chronicler John Green. It’s adapted by Kay Cannon (“Pitch Perfect”) and two other writers for this who’s-who of Gen Z actors. Although I only recognized Kiernan Shipka (“Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”) and Jacob Batalon (the best bud in the MCU’s “Spider-Mans”), the talent level is surprisingly high. Down the road, “Let It Snow” could play as a classic of young actors breaking out, except that the overall movie is too safe and predictable.
Still, for a film where you know the end points as soon as you know the beginning points, director Luke Snellin’s “Let It Snow” is surprisingly above-average holiday fare. The most striking performance comes from Isabella Merced (“Dora and the Lost City of Gold”), who reminds me of Vanessa Hudgens. Julie is a classic Green heroine who goes through a difficult life decision — whether to go off to college or to stay in this small Illinois town and care for her ailing mom.
Meanwhile, Julie gets to know young R&B star Stuart (Shameik Moore, the titular voice in “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”) during an impromptu day of fun highlighted by sledding. The way she comfortably doles out witticisms (“Snow is like nature’s version of Spanx”) rather than being starstruck by Stuart is beyond her years. That’s the defining trait of Gen-Z teens, at least in TV and movies: They act their age while simultaneously having perspective on what age they are — somehow sensing that they will eventually be more mature, and preparing for it.
“Let It Snow’s” forward momentum comes from Batalon’s Keon hoping to throw a kegger at Waffle Town (pronounced “Awful Town” because the sign’s “W” is missing). I accept this Greenian notion of teens being mature and proper while also breaking the law; after all, I recently watched “Looking for Alaska” (one of this year’s best TV series).
What’s much harder to accept about “Let It Snow” is its nonsensical logistics. A snowstorm has sort of shut down the town — but not really. What seems to have happened is that the teens can get around, but adults can’t. Keon is not at all worried that the Waffle Town bosses (presumably adults), adult customers or the police themselves will come to the restaurant. In reality, I’d think police officers, patrolling the streets, would be the most likely to swing by the restaurant in a snowstorm.
Maybe a magical element could explain it, but almost everything about “Let It Snow” is straightforward. The one exception is Tin Foil Woman (a game Joan Cusack), a tow-truck driver who won’t explain why she covers her winter clothing in tin foil.
Although the Julie-Stuart storyline is the best, the quality of the actors makes the other arcs watchable, too. Waitress Dorrie (Liv Hewson) is thrilled that her budding love interest, Tegan (Anna Akana), has visited Waffle Town with her cheer teammates, but Tegan is being cold to her. In a sign that we’re watching a Gen Z movie, it’s more of a clash between cool and uncool crowds than anyone having a problem with Connie’s sexual orientation.
“Let It Snow” peppers in light comedy with Tobin (Mitchell Hope) cutting himself while shaving his chest hair. Thus his boob is bleeding throughout the story, making him awkward rather than cool around his best friend and crush, Shipka’s Angie (known as The Duke because she’s a tomboy). Shipka is underused, but Tobin nicely portrays that first-love longing and jealousy.
Other stuff lands with a shrug — Addie (Odeya Rush) loves pigs — or a thud — Billy (Miles Robbins) has a Zen philosophy for every situation.
The line-by-line writing is good, with several smile-worthy witticisms, so I can’t quite say the actors are better than the material. It’s more like the actors, the dialog and the production design (the film is crisply shot in the snow and cold) are all better than the story.
It never rings true that the adults have ceded this town to the teens for a boozy Christmas romp. As such, a viewer can’t totally get in to the spirit.