FIRST SNOW

US, 2007, 101 minutes, Colour.
Guy Pearce, J.K. Simmons, Piper Perabo, Rick Gonzalez, William Fichtner, Jackie Burroughs, Shea Wigham.
Directed by Mark Fergus.

First Snow is a psychological drama. Guy Pearce excellently portrays a very cocky young salesman who has an accident in the desert and, whiling away the time, goes to a fortune teller played by J.K. Simmons. He eventually learns that he has a short time to live. The question is, will he continue along his ways, a wheeler-dealer, or try to make some kind of reconciliation with himself and people from his past. They include Piper Perabo as his girlfriend, Rick Gonzalez as a young associate whom he had fired, William Fichtner as a long-time friend and Shea Wigham as a friend, and partner, in a con, who has served some time in prison.

The film was directed by Mark Fergus, his first direction job, who went on to write such films as Children of Men, Iron Man, Cowboys and Aliens.

A number of people likened this film to Memento – especially with the character played by Guy Pearce and the moral dilemmas he has to face.

1. The title, the meaning, Jimmy Starks’ death at the first snow?

2. The portrait of Jimmy Starks, salesman, conman, the prospect of death, facing his life, facing changes?

3. The desert locations, Arizona, the city, homes, the bars? The musical score?

4. The opening with Jimmy in the snow, the film as a flashback, building up towards the ending, the first snow and death?

5. Jimmy as a type, salesman, brash, his phone calls, the breakdown in the desert, the car being fixed, his trying to sell Wurlitzers to the man in the bar, going to the fortune teller, his whiling away the time, eagerness to find out something, Vacaro and his taking his hand away, unwillingness to tell him the truth? His asking for more, Vacaro giving the money back? His reaction?

6. His life, his relationship with Deirdre, the discussions with his boss, sales, the Wurlitzers and the deal from Dallas, the memory of Vacaro talking about good fortune coming from Dallas? Andy Lopez, working with him, the boss asking him to fire him, the merciless way in which he did it? With his friends, the bar, the sports match – and the unexpected win, as foretold by Vacaro?

7. His talking over the issues with his friends, with Deirdre? Beginning to wonder, getting advice?

8. Going back to Vacaro? Vacaro as an ordinary man, his caravan on the side of the road, a conman or not, a psychic gift? Payment, holding the client’s hand, seeing things? Vacaro’s fear? The first snow, the bet, Dallas? Jimmy’s return, unwilling to tell him the future, seeing no future? Jimmy and the confrontation, a preparation for death?

9. Vince, going to visit his mother, the discussions? Vince getting out of jail? The past memories, their work together? The touch of vengeance? Vince’s visit, their talking, the shooting and Vince killing himself?

10. The overall effect on Jimmy, putting his life in order, waiting for the first snow? The work, giving the Wurlitzer deal to Andy Lopez?

11. The character of Vince, the past, his wanting to see Jimmy, their talk, the plan, the fight, the shot?

12. Jimmy, in the snow, after Vince’s death? The desert, the road, accident?

13. A drama, a character study, an exploration of psychic experience, foretelling the future – or destiny and self-fulfilling prophecy?