7.6 stars.
Cain is not bad, Swanson is believable. That was all I was concerned about when I started this film. Will he be able to act normally? Sometimes he gets in the way of his own performances. I haven't seen Swanson in a while, but I was impressed by her ability to convey a very personable and likable character.
'Winter's Dream' is not about a dream per se, unless a young girl's desire to be the best competitor in downhill skiing is the "dream" alluded to. But I don't get the impression that her dream of being a phenom is the theme.
The obvious point of this story is it's about a woman who has given up on her potential. She has not pursued any new goals or attempted to find success in years. She was an Olympic skier years ago, now is helping her father operate a ski shop at a mountain resort. They must overcome many obstacles, as there is another ski resort nearby, threatening to steal all of their business.
Chain's character is of a father who supports his daughter's aspirations to be in the Olympics someday. He does his best to stay out of her way. In the middle of all of this activity, there is a very subtle romance. In the end, this movie is not about romance as much as it's about a woman (Swanson) trying to excel in spite of insecurities and the forgotten confidence of her youth.
