Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all as I sit surrounded by horror VHS wearing a Junji Ito shirt and talking about a movie that definitely is not a Christmas movie at all, but just kind of has the snowy vibes. I think I'm not doing it right, but I'm trying.
When an entire town in upstate New York is closed down by unexpected snowfall, a snow day begins when a group of elementary school kids led by Natalie Branson try to ensure that the schools stay closed by stopping a mechanical snowplow driver by trying to hijack his plow truck. Meanwhile, Natalie's big brother, Hal, is using this day to try to win the affections of Claire, the most popular girl in his high school. While Hal and Natalie's father, Tom, a TV meteorologist, faces off against a rival meteorologist for weather coverage of the day's events.
"Snow Day" is a Nickelodeon movie that not many people talk about anymore. It came out in the middle of what I call the Good Ber era. You had Harriet the Spy, of course, Good Burger, The Rugrats Movie, Snow Day, Rugrats in Paris, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Clockstoppers, Hey Arnold! The Movie, The Wild Thornberrys Movie, Rugrats Go Wild, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. For whatever reason, in my mind, that era ended with the SpongeBob Movie, the first one. Although there were plenty of movies after that which were still fun, like Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events.
If you were my age in the year 2000, around 12, you would have been watching Nickelodeon and seeing trailers for this movie constantly. It was impossible to avoid. Although I didn't see it in theaters, I caught it later at home and watched it a lot. It became one of those weird nostalgic movies for me that isn't a perfect movie, not even really considered a good movie, but it holds a special place in my heart. It feels like one of the very few kids films that acts as a 'hangout movie.'
This movie serves as a slice of life piece usually reserved for Richard Linklater movies and adult comedies. Few kids' movies show kids just hanging out and having a day. It's also one of the last movies from the '90s era, even though it came out in 2000. Movies significantly changed post 9/11, getting darker in nature, but Snow Day feels like it could have premiered in '98 or '99.
The soundtrack features music by LFO, 98 Degrees, Sixpence None the Richer, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and Smashmouth, which immediately conjure memories of those awkward middle school days.
The cast of "Snow Day" is noteworthy. With Chevy Chase as a meteorologist, Chris Elliot as an evil snowplow driver, Jean Smart as the career-focused mother, and random appearances by Iggy Pop as a janitor, the cast is quite eclectic. The lead character, Hal, is played by Mark Webber, known for Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Josh Peck also stars, and Pam Grier makes a surprise appearance as Chevy Chase's boss.
The budget was $13 million, and the scope of fake snow usage makes it seem gigantic by today's standards. There is definitely a horror movie version of Snow Day in there somewhere—Chris Elliot's snowplow driver character is quite creepy and nefarious, reminiscent of certain horror elements.
Originally intended to be a "Pete and Pete" movie, it shares vibes with that show—a beloved Nickelodeon production with a unique, slightly existential tone.
However, the film isn't perfect. The plot largely hinges on a conflict between kids and a snowplow driver who is only seen being mildly mean, and Hal's efforts to win over a girl who isn't interested while ignoring someone much closer to him can feel frustrating. But, Snow Day remains a nostalgic piece for many, despite not being a Christmas movie per se, but it has become a somewhat traditional watch with the season's snowy backdrop.
Overall, "Snow Day" is a coming-of-age film about an eventful day rather than a summer, a concept cherished by many from that era. A nostalgic experience, even if imperfect.