Powder Girl

Hardly has the last snow melted and the first warming rays of sunshine can finally conjure up a smile on the many faces hardened by the harsh winter, it is winter again in the cinema. Because the "Powder Girl" invites the audience on a romantically funny run down the slopes. And she does it so charmingly that you will gladly put on your scarf and gloves once again and enjoy winter once more for just under 90 minutes.

Actually, 19-year-old Kim (Felicity Jones) had a promising career as a professional skateboarder ahead of her. But after her mother's fatal accident, Kim has completely withdrawn from the sport, earning a few pounds in a burger restaurant with which she must finance her life and that of her father (Bill Bailey), who lives in complete seclusion. When she is offered a lucrative job as a "Chalet Girl" in the ski resort of St. Anton for a few months, she is forced to accept, even though it is hard for her to leave her father alone for so long. The new job sounds simple enough: Kim has to keep the luxurious chalet of the rich Madson family in order and entertain the family on their occasional visits. But the very first encounter with her new colleague Georgie (Tamsin Egerton) makes it clear to Kim that the months in St. Anton will not be a bed of roses - a fear that comes true at the latest during the first visit of the Madsens. Because the young Jonny (Ed Westwick) unleashes in her feelings that not only herself, but also Jonny's girlfriend Chloe (Sophia Bush) so not fit.

With the comedy "Crazy for Steve" Phil Traill has not really covered himself with glory and has even brought Sandra Bullock the Golden Raspberry. But for his second feature, the director, who previously got his comedic experience on numerous sitcoms and comedy shows on television, has done a lot more right. Sure, "Powder Girl" is a very homespun comedy that offers few real surprises and is rarely more than simply nice. But sometimes that's enough to entertain.

Set against the truly picturesque backdrop of St. Anton (and to some extent Garmisch-Partenkirchen), lead actress Felicity Jones ("Reunion with Brideshead") in particular acts so charmingly that you're happy to forgive her one or two clichés and many a rather flat gag. The young actress is supported by an international cast that includes Ed Westwick from the series "Gossip Girl" and Sophia Bush from "One Tree Hill" as well as the wonderful Bill Nighy ("Actually.Love"), Brooke Shields and German actors Ken Duken ("Zweiohrküken") and Adam Bousdoukos ("Soul Kitchen"). This colorful ensemble alone lifts the film far above average at many moments.

Naturally, it should become clear to every viewer who will end up with whom, and that Powder Girl's athletic career will also somehow get back on track. The story follows a clear pattern, not even trying to offer any big surprises or be more than a little romantic comedy for a rather young audience. But for all its predictability and for all its clichés, this wintry comedy is really good fun. After all, the gags may not always be the big smash hits, but at least they're not completely flat or purely fecal. "Powder Girl" has its heart in the right place and then even has a few surprisingly good laughs in store. Beautifully filmed, great cast and charmingly directed - all in all, an extremely entertaining and amusing way to say goodbye to winter for good. Worth seeing

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp