Secrets In The Snow – Movie Review

Six teenagers and one teacher are stranded overnight in their high school while a blizzard rages outside. The generators go out and the lights and heat go down, while tempers go up and wills are tested, and deep secrets are brought to the surface.  Being forced to hang out with people not of your choosing (some whom you don’t even like!) can make things extremely uncomfortable, especially if your guard is let down and the mask you wear tumbles off to reveal what is beneath: grief, insecurity, body image struggles, identity crisis, hidden disease, family bankruptcy, and all the other junk that life serves up.  But as the doors are locked, they are forced to rely on each other to survive the night, and these teens (and one administrator) discover that “getting along” may be the biggest obstacle of all.

Ashley Murray and Hollie Shay in Secrets In The Snow; courtesy of Every New Day Pictures

These are the Secrets in the Snow, a film reminiscent of the old Breakfast Club, a rich character study that allows viewers to get to know these people and maybe recognize themselves.  For don’t we all experience peer pressure?  Struggle with “who we are?” (Or who we want to be?)  Look for answers without revealing private problems? Or deal with the myriad of other high school (and life) problems?  Maybe this will help us develop a better understanding and more empathy for others (and ourselves?), as we all find blankets to huddle together and stay warm.

There are fun elements, too, of course, because what would you do if you had the entire school to yourself?  Explore the places you’ve never been?  An impromptu talent show?  A basketball version of “Truth or Dare?”  A cafeteria raid?  (How many chips can one guy eat?)

Elizabeth Potthast, Ashley Murray, Katie McCaffrey, and Vincent Seidle; courtesy of Every New Day Pictures

First time feature director Brittany Goodwin has really challenged herself with this film, and she appears more than ready for the challenge.  Directing ensemble is not the easiest – from keeping all the actors in character and consistent, to keeping the camera moving around without stumbling over itself, Goodwin does a stellar job and is backed up by a strong cast and creative Director of Photography (Tripp Green).

The action is kept moving by utilizing various locations to mix it up, and allow characters a chance to be alone and get to know each other (and us know them, too).  There are some sweet camera angles and nice transitions from Director of Photography Tripp Green.  Especially impressive is the recurring transitional technique of using large objects in the foreground while the action takes place behind it, effectively done with the basketball, and another time with the lamp being shut off.  And I’m still wondering if there was a message in the way the six characters were divided when the principal stood with his back to the camera (or was it just a nice balance)?  Ensemble shooting is especially challenging for the camera, and Green makes good use of rack focusing to direct our attention as needed.

Katie McCaffrey, Hollie Shay, and Elizabeth Potthast; courtesy of Every New Day Pictures

Secrets in the Snow has a strong cast, although most with only a handful of other productions on their resumes, and further evidence to the ability of director Goodwin.  The veteran of the group is Karen Boles, and she brings great believability as the novice high school administrator who has been stuck “babysitting” the teens:

Vincent R. Seidle is the basketball star that has it all (or does he?)  A cold knock at the door brings one of his secrets to the forefront, but I like how he downplays his first revealed secret, through his acting, yes, but also through the way his character Grayson handles the situation, and hopefully showing others with similar issues an honorable way of dealing with it.

Karen Boles and Elizabeth Potthast in Secrets In The Snow; courtesy of Every New Day Pictures

Aaron Michael Johnson is Brant Journigan, the “good kid” from a large family who appreciates what he has and what he needs.  Johnson does an excellent job of softly preaching while not sounding “preachy” – something missing from many faith-based films and greatly appreciated in this film.

Katie McCaffrey is Camille Sanders, the girl no longer the person everyone remembers, changed by growing up and starting high school.  She really brings her self-image struggles to the camera in a way that many others will be able to relate.  Great job!  (And boy, can she sing!  Her “Deck the Halls” is impressive.  Someone needs to sign her up!)

Hollie Shay is MaryJake Harper the poor little rich girl, popular with the class, but none too popular with her new overnighters.  Shay treads the fine line of being a witch while keeping our empathy, and she does a first-rate job of this.

Elizabeth Potthast is the girl struggling with self-image.  Her story is one heard again and again in our society, and hopefully, how others really see her, will be heard by those viewers with the same struggles.  Potthast is perfectly cast in this role of a beautiful woman inside and out, who only needs to realize it.

Ashley Murray and Michael Johnson in Secrets In The Snow; courtesy of Every New Day Pictures

Ashley Murray plays Anthony Goodwin, the new kid in town who wants to get to know everyone else’s secrets while keeping his own hidden.  Murray does a crackerjack job of revealing his secret slowly and persuasively.

All the characters are well acted, and I really get the feeling that I know these people (and yes, there are people I know who are like them.)

Now for a negative: the biggest downfall of the film is the big outside snow scene – it is obvious this is not blizzard-depth snow.  Maybe some CG on the rooftops would have helped?  Or editing the scene out?  Or placing the scene in the gym – although I get the idea of needing to take the film outside and playing in the snow.  On the flipside, the other snow scenes were handled very well, so this one came as a surprise.

Secrets in the Snow is a totally enjoyable film.  There is a lot to learn, and it’s easy to see yourself and others in these 90 minutes of snowstorm.  I liked not having everything wrapped up pretty and sweet, but still coming away with solid solutions, and, perhaps, a new way of looking at life’s problems and how to deal with them.   The subtle Gospel message was refreshing.  More faith-based films would benefit by mirroring how Secrets in the Snow presented the Word of God and its life-changing message.  Nice use, too, of the Christmas Eve service as the perfect denouement.

Secrets in the Snow is a great film for all ages, especially senior and junior high youth groups (it will ring true for many in this demographic), but even elementary school age children will enjoy this movie.  The accompanying Discussion Guide is a great plus, and perfect for that youth group or Sunday School viewing.  So snuggle up with Secrets in the Snow and get snowed-in at Eastbrook High.

Entire cast of Secrets In The Snow; courtesy of Every New Day Pictures

The Christian Worldview:

As with many ensemble pieces, there are several worldviews presented (as well there should be), but the Christian worldview is shown as a viable (and the strongest) perspective on how to deal with life and its struggles.  And as such, Secrets in the Snow reflects a strong Christian, moral worldview.  There is no violence, no coarse language, and other than some snarky language and attitudes, Secrets in the Snow is perfect for all ages.  The very young may lose interest, but I watched it with a nine-year-old (who liked it), and a teenager (who also recommends it).

Aaron Michael Johnson and Catherine Allen in Secrets In The Snow; courtesy of Every New Day Pictures

Biblical Discussion:

“When disaster strikes you – better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away…”
Proverbs 27: 10

Secrets in the Snow tells the stories of how faith can help in the midst of life’s problems.  And if we confide in others, we’ll find there are not many differences in each of us, and that everyone battles some sort of problem.  We need each other.  We can help each other.  This is one reason that the church is so important and that gathering together is one key at the heart of Christianity.  God provides us with other people to help us with our struggles, and in turn, we are there to help them.

Jesus says in Matthew 19 (verse 19) to “love your neighbor as yourself.”  When Jesus was asked in Luke 10: 29 “Who is my neighbor?” He replied with the parable of the Good Samaritan. (Read Luke 10: 25 – 37)  Who is your neighbor?  Are our neighbors identical to us?  Though different, how are we all similar?  How can we help each other?

The Apostle Paul says to the Romans (Chapter 13, verses 9 and 10)

“Whatever other commandments there may be, are summed up in this one rule: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  Love does no harm to its neighbor.  Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

How do we best exemplify love to others?

As the Church on earth, what does God expect of us?  In his letter to the Colossians, Paul writes:

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

It all seems pretty clear.  Amen.

Watch the Official Movie Trailer Secrets In The Snow

To learn more about the author of this film visit Dale Ward

For more details about Secrets in the Snow visit Christian Film Database