Memoir of a Snail review by Bobby Blakey
I love all things stop-motion so anytime something comes along I am ready to give it a chance. Of course, Laika and Aardman tend to rule the market on that, but they aren’t the only game in town. Director Adam Elliot is bringing his own talents to the mix with his film Memoir of a Snail featuring the voice talent of Sarah Snook, Eric Bana, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Jackie Weaver. Could this film stand out all its own or will it move at a snail’s pace to find an audience?
Memoir of a Snail follows Grace Pudel who is a lonely misfit with an affinity for collecting ornamental snails and an intense love for books. At a young age, Grace is separated from her twin brother Gilbert, causing her to fall into a spiral of anxiety and angst. Despite a continued series of hardships, hope emerges when she strikes up an enduring friendship with an elderly eccentric woman named Pinky who is full of grit and lust for life.
Other than knowing that it was stop-motion I knew little to nothing about this film. I was surprised to find it leans into more adult territory complete with an R rating that it takes full advantage of. It isn’t nasty or anything like that, but lets the real-life elements of death, sex and religion relish in this simple yet complex tale of life that is entertaining, heartbreaking and wonderful all at once.
The grey and brown tones not only fit with the ideal of the snail obsession, but also the mundane life and struggles that Grace and her brother Gilbert deal with. I love the initial set-up giving us the understanding of their lives and where they are before really pushing into their own narrative. Sometimes it is unexpected and funny, but honestly it really goes deep into the love and loss of life in every way. It is a beautifully dark and heavy film filled with passion and love infused with the horrors and pain of life.
The designs are strange and weird in the best way possible, packing in an insane amount of details in their surroundings to create worlds you both love, hate and will be obsessed with seeing it all, especially Grace’s snail collection. The often-strange beauty of these characters and their designs are part of the magic and genius of the execution of this unexpectedly beautiful tragic film.
I loved every frame of this film and marvel at the masterful filmmaking and world building that Eliott has brought to life here. I cannot wait to see what else he brings to the masses, but until then I will hold this film close to my heart as one that I truly love on every level.
Decide for yourself and check out Memoir of a Snail in theaters now from IFC Films.