Winter Passing

Though it moves at a snails pace (if that), Winter Passing is nevertheless an oddly compelling, beautifully acted drama revolving around a houseful of quirky characters. Reese Holden (Zooey Deschanel) is a bitter and sarcastic struggling actress who returns home for the first time since her mother’s death, only to discover that her father’s reclusive ways have severely worsened in the years since. There’s no denying that Winter Passing takes an awfully long time to get going; much of the film’s first act is devoted to Reese’s miserable, New York-based existence, where she brutally murders a kitten. As a result, Reese is – initially – far from likeable, although this slowly changes as she arrives at her father’s house and we begin to discover what makes her tick. It certainly doesn’t hurt that supporting cast members Ed Harris and Will Ferrell deliver uncommonly strong performances (well, uncommonly strong for Ferrell at least; Harris is expectedly superb), while writer director Adam Rapp peppers the storyline with genuinely funny moments and a real sense of authenticity.

*** out of ****