| Let it Snow | |
| Director: | Luke Snellin |
| Music: | Keegan DeWitt |
| Cinematography: | Jeff Cutter |
| Editing: | Evan Henke |
| Studio: | Dylan Clark Productions |
| Distributor: | Netflix |
| Runtime: | 92 minutes |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
Let it Snow is a 2019 American Christmas romantic comedy film directed by Luke Snellin from a screenplay by Kay Cannon, Victoria Strouse and Laura Solon, based on the young adult novel of the same name by Maureen Johnson, John Green, and Lauren Myracle. It was released on November 8, 2019, by Netflix.
On Christmas Eve in Laurel, Illinois, Julie Reyes runs into rising pop star Stuart Bale on a train. He mistakes her for a fan when she tries to return his phone to him, to which she takes offense, despite his apologies.
After the train is stopped by snowed-over tracks, Julie gets off to walk home, Stuart joins her and offers lunch at a local diner called Waffle Town. She reluctantly agrees and later has to save him from a group of fangirl cheerleaders. Julie reveals to Stuart she got accepted to Columbia and her mom is also deathly sick, but if she delays leaving, she will lose the scholarship.
They go sledding and meet Julie's mother, Debbie. Going to Julie's, Stuart is introduced to her grandpa and they bond over Mick Jagger. Everyone dances to one of his songs. While dancing, Debbie has a coughing fit, causing Julie concern. Stuart offers to get a nurse for her mom, offending her. He dismisses her concerns, stating he offered it because he cares about Julie. They almost kiss before Stuart's publicist shows up to take him back to his hotel. He asks Julie to come with him, but she declines, feeling a need to stay with her mother.
Across town, Waffle Town employee Dorrie tries to juggle her best friend, Addie, who is worried that her boyfriend is going to break up with her, and Kerry, a cheerleader Dorrie hooked up with. Kerry visits the diner with her friends and pretends not to know Dorrie; Addie makes a scene with her boyfriend in the diner. Dorrie tries to calm Addie down, but she storms off.
Later, Dorrie and Kerry meet in the bathroom, kissing passionately. Dorrie tells Keon that Kerry will probably be at the party. Meanwhile, Tobin plans to tell his best friend, Angie, 'The Duke', he likes her. They are invited to a party by Duke's friend, JP, whom Tobin sees as competition. The three steal the keg from the party, ending up in a ditch. Waiting for the tow truck in a nearby church, Duke has Tobin play "Whole of the Moon", but when JP and Duke start dancing together, Tobin leaves. Duke attempts to talk to him about it, but he brushes her off, angering her.
Tobin's friend, Keon, attempts to arrange a party to impress a big time DJ at his house, but his parents shut down the party attempt and he gets called into work at Waffle Town. His friend and fellow co-worker, Billy, offers Waffle Town as a party spot, provided he get the necessary supplies. Back at home, Julie's mom convinces her to go to Columbia, stating "when life offers you something special, you take it". Everyone ends up at Keon's party after Tobin arrives with the stolen keg. Duke comes and Tobin confesses his love for her, to which she admits the same.
Addie returns to Waffle Town and apologizes to Dorrie for her rude behavior. Kerry also apologizes to her for being hot and cold, kisses her in the open, and they begin a relationship. Dorrie and Julie are telling each other about their day when Stuart returns, wanting to see Julie again before he leaves town. They kiss and make plans to meet in New York when she is at Columbia. Keon's party ends up a success, despite the DJ not coming, and they dance all night long.
In September 2014, Universal optioned the rights to the fix-up novel Let it Snow: Three Holiday Romances by Maureen Johnson, John Green, and Lauren Myracle.[1] In March 2016, Luke Snellin was announced as the film's director.[2] In December 2018, it was announced that film would be produced and released by Netflix in 2019.[3] In January 2019, Kiernan Shipka, Isabela Merced, Shameik Moore and Odeya Rush were announced as leads, with Jacob Batalon, Miles Robbins, Mitchell Hope, Liv Hewson, Anna Akana, and Joan Cusack also joining the cast of the film.[4]
Principal photography began in February 2019 in Toronto and Millbrook, Ontario.[5]
It was released on November 8, 2019.[6]
On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of based on reviews from critics, with an average rating of . The site's consensus reads, "Comfortably cliché, Let it Snow wears its influences on its sleeve, but works anyway thanks to an excellent ensemble and just the right amount of holiday cheer."[7] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 51 out of 100, based on reviews from 5 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[8]
Noel Murray of the Los Angeles Times wrote: "With its cast of veteran child actors and its baked-in holiday warmth, Let it Snow has some baseline appeal. But like the formulaic Christmas movies that fill the Hallmark Channel this time of year, this film isn’t exactly a timeless classic. It’s more like something to put on in the background, while making cookies or wrapping presents."[9]