11 reviews
"Memoir of a Snail" is a stop-motion animated film written and directed by Adam Elliot ("Harvie Krumpet", "Mary & Max"). Featuring the voices of Sarah Snook, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Jacki Weaver, it is yet another poignant story about human loneliness and finding purpose in this complex world.
In the 1970s, young Grace Pudel (voiced by Sarah Snook) lives with her twin brother Gilbert (voiced by Kodi Smit-McPhee) and their father Percy (voiced by Dominique Pinion) in Victoria, Australia. Due to her cleft lip and unusual hobby of collecting snails, Grace is frequently bullied by the other kids at school, often necessitating Gilbert to step in and defend her. One day, Percy suddenly dies in his sleep, causing both Grace and Gilbert to be sent off to separate foster homes located several miles across the country. Grace ends up being adopted by a married couple of swingers in Canberra while Gilbert is taken in by a deeply religious family of fundamentalist Christians in Perth. Despite their geographical handicap, the twins remain in close contact by writing each other letters recounting all of their experiences living with their different adoptive families.
It is a tough world out there for many of us, especially for those who fail to fit in with mainstream society, whether because of mental illnesses or just a general inability to connect with others. Speaking from personal experience, I find that having hobbies can help alleviate your loneliness but they can also contribute to a sense of alienation from those likely to dismiss your passions as weird and ridiculous. Adam Elliot, whose claymation movies tend to focus around these related themes, are an ideal representation of the desire for outcasts to be accepted for who they are, faults and all. In Elliot's latest film "Memoir of a Snail", we are shown another touching and sometimes darkly comical look at the lives of individuals whose longing for emotional connectivity is sure to strike a chord with its intended audience.
Don't let the film's cute looking characters and clay animation fool you into thinking it is a children's movie; this is in fact an adult-oriented story that deals with the heavy-handed themes of ostracisation, depression, and a sense of belonging in this harsh and unforgiving world. As the film begins, our lead protagonist Grace sits in a graveyard narrating everything important that has happened throughout her life up until now. We see that as a child, Grace had shared quite a close bond with her twin brother Gilbert, who despite her bizarre qualities, always defended his sister against anyone who made her feel worthless. In one scene, Gilbert even breaks the finger of a bully who repeatedly harasses poor Grace for her choices in fashion, causing them to leave her alone for good.
In addition to this, it is shown that Grace has a particular affinity for snails due to their ability to withdraw from the outside into their shells, something she likens herself to doing whenever she wants to hide away from her problems. Grace's obsession with snails continues well into adulthood, and the film uses many other interesting metaphors and imagery to convey this to the audience. For instance, Grace learns that snails die after laying their eggs, which is where she notes the similarities in her mother dying shortly after giving birth to her and Gilbert. Later, when their father dies, Grace and Gilbert are soon permanently separated off into different foster homes, setting things in motion for how each of their lives are going to play out from this point forward.
Grace soon finds life in Canberra with her foster parents to be quite reasonable, despite their weekly habit of going to swingers parties and leaving her all alone at home to fend for herself. As she is in a city that prides itself on being the safest in all of Australia, you would assume that would put all of her concerns at ease, however, this is far from the truth. It quickly becomes clear that Grace no longer has Gilbert to defend her from any bullies or other problems she cannot handle on her own, causing her mental state to deteriorate even further than before. She struggles to make friends and is eventually so depressed she becomes a recluse with only her snails and pet guinea pigs to keep her company.
Meanwhile, all the way over in Perth, Gilbert has to deal with his family of extremely religious bible-thumpers, who try to shoot down his dream of becoming a fire-breathing street performer in Paris, believing it to be a job of the Devil. Nearly all of Gilbert's attempts at free thought and expression are suppressed by his adoptive mother Ruth (voiced by Magda Szubanski), a strict woman who insists he dedicate his life to constant praying and working on her apple farm. Like his sister, Gilbert is also unable to form a connection with other people, leaving him with little other choice but to acquiesce to the high demands of his adoptive family. The only thing that keeps the two siblings going is reading the letters they manage to send to one another, where they insist they will one day reunite to scatter their father's ashes where he always wanted to be dispersed - the Luna Park Big Dipper rollercoaster.
As she grows older, Grace meets and befriends Pinky (voiced by Jacki Weaver), an eccentric old lady who becomes the caring mother figure she never truly had. It is here we watch Pinky teach Grace how to appreciate the small things in life, like getting a permed-up hairdo or smoking a cigar out in the rain. Much like the snails she holds fondness for, Grace slowly but surely gains more confidence in herself thanks to Pinky's influence. In fact, she even manages to build up the courage to go on a date with a local mechanic she has feelings for, culminating in a long term relationship she has always craved.
At this point, the film begins to shift its focus away from Gilbert and primarily towards Grace, where it becomes clear that the audience is supposed to absorb all of the philosophical traits of the story. In any other case, this would come across as preachy and condescending, however, I always found myself drawn towards everything Grace and Pinky were doing together, no matter how trivial. Similar to the title characters of Adam Elliot's previous feature film "Mary & Max", this one does a great job treating its overarching themes of loneliness and insecurity in a concise, relatable manner, using dry humour and heartfelt character growth to help us empathise with somebody like Grace. As a result, this allows viewer to come to an understanding of why people like Grace and Pinky would be able to form a connection with one another in the first place.
Though his films might not be as clean cut as Aardman Animations or as large scale as Laika, there's still much to appreciate in Adam Elliot's unique stop-motion art style and sense of humour that helps set his ones apart from the others. The locations Elliot creates all have a level of grit to them, as though they actually feel lived in and reflect the era of 1970s Australia. Additionally, we also see Elliot play up the distinctly Australian quirks and eccentricities in his characters. For example, one recurring gag I loved has Pinky loudly shouting obscenities at passing motorists who either almost run her over or mock her for whatever odd activities she is currently indulging in. Also, we see Grace feeding her pet snail Sylvia some Vegemite on toast, something only an Australian would ever do within a serious context. If Aardman can be a definitive representation of British culture and Laika for American culture, then I would say that Adam Elliot's "Clayography" style successfully depicts Australian culture to a tee.
The film's voice acting is solid thanks to the performances of the cast, primarily Sarah Snook as Grace and Kodi Smit-McPhee as Gilbert. Snook, who also narrates the film, is responsible for bringing out a great deal of loveable pathos in Grace, never once leading her down a hole of despair or self pity. You can't help but want Grace to be happy no matter what curveballs life ends up throwing her way, even if that means subjecting her to one heartbreaking moment after another. Likewise, Smit-McPhee plays up the caring brother type in Gilbert, with only his sheer determination and love for his sister preventing him from giving up entirely. These twin siblings share an almost symbiotic connection with each other, as though whenever one is hurting, so is the other.
I also really liked Jacki Weaver as Pinky, Grace's first real friend who isn't a family member or an animal. Some of my favourite scenes of the whole movie involved Pinky teaching Grace her own personal tips on how to enjoy life. This is a woman who has lived through so many major historical events and interacted with all kinds of people, yet still happily finds the time to hang out with a young woman like Grace who only wants somebody to talk to. Without giving away spoilers, Pinky's significance in the story proved to be much more than I had initially expected, paving the way for a rather emotional conclusion.
As the world becomes harder for us to deal with, it is comforting to watch a film like "Memoir of a Snail" to remind us that amongst the complexities of life, there can always be a rainbow at the end of the storms we are battling through each day. Like with "Mary & Max", it teaches us the importance of embracing our flaws and accepting that some things just cannot be changed about ourselves no matter how hard we may try. Regardless of that, we can all still live happy lives with our imperfections in tow, as these fundamental flaws make up what it means to be human. It is not often we get to see a film touch on such deep philosophical themes like this, let alone one made in claymation, so for that reason alone it is well worth your time.
I rate it a solid 9/10.
In the 1970s, young Grace Pudel (voiced by Sarah Snook) lives with her twin brother Gilbert (voiced by Kodi Smit-McPhee) and their father Percy (voiced by Dominique Pinion) in Victoria, Australia. Due to her cleft lip and unusual hobby of collecting snails, Grace is frequently bullied by the other kids at school, often necessitating Gilbert to step in and defend her. One day, Percy suddenly dies in his sleep, causing both Grace and Gilbert to be sent off to separate foster homes located several miles across the country. Grace ends up being adopted by a married couple of swingers in Canberra while Gilbert is taken in by a deeply religious family of fundamentalist Christians in Perth. Despite their geographical handicap, the twins remain in close contact by writing each other letters recounting all of their experiences living with their different adoptive families.
It is a tough world out there for many of us, especially for those who fail to fit in with mainstream society, whether because of mental illnesses or just a general inability to connect with others. Speaking from personal experience, I find that having hobbies can help alleviate your loneliness but they can also contribute to a sense of alienation from those likely to dismiss your passions as weird and ridiculous. Adam Elliot, whose claymation movies tend to focus around these related themes, are an ideal representation of the desire for outcasts to be accepted for who they are, faults and all. In Elliot's latest film "Memoir of a Snail", we are shown another touching and sometimes darkly comical look at the lives of individuals whose longing for emotional connectivity is sure to strike a chord with its intended audience.
Don't let the film's cute looking characters and clay animation fool you into thinking it is a children's movie; this is in fact an adult-oriented story that deals with the heavy-handed themes of ostracisation, depression, and a sense of belonging in this harsh and unforgiving world. As the film begins, our lead protagonist Grace sits in a graveyard narrating everything important that has happened throughout her life up until now. We see that as a child, Grace had shared quite a close bond with her twin brother Gilbert, who despite her bizarre qualities, always defended his sister against anyone who made her feel worthless. In one scene, Gilbert even breaks the finger of a bully who repeatedly harasses poor Grace for her choices in fashion, causing them to leave her alone for good.
In addition to this, it is shown that Grace has a particular affinity for snails due to their ability to withdraw from the outside into their shells, something she likens herself to doing whenever she wants to hide away from her problems. Grace's obsession with snails continues well into adulthood, and the film uses many other interesting metaphors and imagery to convey this to the audience. For instance, Grace learns that snails die after laying their eggs, which is where she notes the similarities in her mother dying shortly after giving birth to her and Gilbert. Later, when their father dies, Grace and Gilbert are soon permanently separated off into different foster homes, setting things in motion for how each of their lives are going to play out from this point forward.
Grace soon finds life in Canberra with her foster parents to be quite reasonable, despite their weekly habit of going to swingers parties and leaving her all alone at home to fend for herself. As she is in a city that prides itself on being the safest in all of Australia, you would assume that would put all of her concerns at ease, however, this is far from the truth. It quickly becomes clear that Grace no longer has Gilbert to defend her from any bullies or other problems she cannot handle on her own, causing her mental state to deteriorate even further than before. She struggles to make friends and is eventually so depressed she becomes a recluse with only her snails and pet guinea pigs to keep her company.
Meanwhile, all the way over in Perth, Gilbert has to deal with his family of extremely religious bible-thumpers, who try to shoot down his dream of becoming a fire-breathing street performer in Paris, believing it to be a job of the Devil. Nearly all of Gilbert's attempts at free thought and expression are suppressed by his adoptive mother Ruth (voiced by Magda Szubanski), a strict woman who insists he dedicate his life to constant praying and working on her apple farm. Like his sister, Gilbert is also unable to form a connection with other people, leaving him with little other choice but to acquiesce to the high demands of his adoptive family. The only thing that keeps the two siblings going is reading the letters they manage to send to one another, where they insist they will one day reunite to scatter their father's ashes where he always wanted to be dispersed - the Luna Park Big Dipper rollercoaster.
As she grows older, Grace meets and befriends Pinky (voiced by Jacki Weaver), an eccentric old lady who becomes the caring mother figure she never truly had. It is here we watch Pinky teach Grace how to appreciate the small things in life, like getting a permed-up hairdo or smoking a cigar out in the rain. Much like the snails she holds fondness for, Grace slowly but surely gains more confidence in herself thanks to Pinky's influence. In fact, she even manages to build up the courage to go on a date with a local mechanic she has feelings for, culminating in a long term relationship she has always craved.
At this point, the film begins to shift its focus away from Gilbert and primarily towards Grace, where it becomes clear that the audience is supposed to absorb all of the philosophical traits of the story. In any other case, this would come across as preachy and condescending, however, I always found myself drawn towards everything Grace and Pinky were doing together, no matter how trivial. Similar to the title characters of Adam Elliot's previous feature film "Mary & Max", this one does a great job treating its overarching themes of loneliness and insecurity in a concise, relatable manner, using dry humour and heartfelt character growth to help us empathise with somebody like Grace. As a result, this allows viewer to come to an understanding of why people like Grace and Pinky would be able to form a connection with one another in the first place.
Though his films might not be as clean cut as Aardman Animations or as large scale as Laika, there's still much to appreciate in Adam Elliot's unique stop-motion art style and sense of humour that helps set his ones apart from the others. The locations Elliot creates all have a level of grit to them, as though they actually feel lived in and reflect the era of 1970s Australia. Additionally, we also see Elliot play up the distinctly Australian quirks and eccentricities in his characters. For example, one recurring gag I loved has Pinky loudly shouting obscenities at passing motorists who either almost run her over or mock her for whatever odd activities she is currently indulging in. Also, we see Grace feeding her pet snail Sylvia some Vegemite on toast, something only an Australian would ever do within a serious context. If Aardman can be a definitive representation of British culture and Laika for American culture, then I would say that Adam Elliot's "Clayography" style successfully depicts Australian culture to a tee.
The film's voice acting is solid thanks to the performances of the cast, primarily Sarah Snook as Grace and Kodi Smit-McPhee as Gilbert. Snook, who also narrates the film, is responsible for bringing out a great deal of loveable pathos in Grace, never once leading her down a hole of despair or self pity. You can't help but want Grace to be happy no matter what curveballs life ends up throwing her way, even if that means subjecting her to one heartbreaking moment after another. Likewise, Smit-McPhee plays up the caring brother type in Gilbert, with only his sheer determination and love for his sister preventing him from giving up entirely. These twin siblings share an almost symbiotic connection with each other, as though whenever one is hurting, so is the other.
I also really liked Jacki Weaver as Pinky, Grace's first real friend who isn't a family member or an animal. Some of my favourite scenes of the whole movie involved Pinky teaching Grace her own personal tips on how to enjoy life. This is a woman who has lived through so many major historical events and interacted with all kinds of people, yet still happily finds the time to hang out with a young woman like Grace who only wants somebody to talk to. Without giving away spoilers, Pinky's significance in the story proved to be much more than I had initially expected, paving the way for a rather emotional conclusion.
As the world becomes harder for us to deal with, it is comforting to watch a film like "Memoir of a Snail" to remind us that amongst the complexities of life, there can always be a rainbow at the end of the storms we are battling through each day. Like with "Mary & Max", it teaches us the importance of embracing our flaws and accepting that some things just cannot be changed about ourselves no matter how hard we may try. Regardless of that, we can all still live happy lives with our imperfections in tow, as these fundamental flaws make up what it means to be human. It is not often we get to see a film touch on such deep philosophical themes like this, let alone one made in claymation, so for that reason alone it is well worth your time.
I rate it a solid 9/10.
Greetings again from the darkness. If you believe that animated films should be whimsical fairy tales developed for children, Adam Elliot would like a word. Actually, he would like about 90 minutes of your time to introduce you to an entirely different approach with stop-motion animation. Elliot won an Oscar for his animated short HARVIE KRUMPET (2003) and also developed the excellent animated feature MARY AND MAX (2009). Not one to shy away from grown-up topics, Elliot's latest is a gem filled with most every emotion.
Relying heavily on narration, the story is told by Grace Pudel (voiced by Sarah Snook, "Succession"). It's her own life story, but contrary to what the film's title would have you believe, Grace is a person, not a snail (at least not a shelled gastropod). However, she is telling her story to her favorite pet snail, Sylvia. It's OK if that sounds a bit strange, because Grace and her story will draw you in and have you caring very much. The story starts at the beginning ... with Grace's premature birth ahead of her twin brother Gilbert (Kodi Smit-McPhee).
Grace chaperones us through her early years. These were not easy years as mom died early on, and dad was an alcoholic paraplegic with sleep apnea. Mostly we learn about Grace and her collection (hoarding) of snails she kept in a glass jar with Vegemite for their nutrition. She tells us about her beloved brother Gilbert's love of animals, reading, magic, and fire. When their dad dies, Child Services sends Grace and Gilbert to separate foster homes in different parts of Australia. It's not just geography that makes a difference. Grace is fostered by a couple of self-help gurus who are also swingers (it's not a movie for kids). Gilbert is sent to live with a harsh religious cult family demanding work while offering no love.
The twins maintain contact through letter-writing, and Grace fills in some of the details for us. Her story includes a romance with Ken, a neighbor who loves his leaf blower and has a certain fetish that takes Grace a while to uncover. She also forms a special bond with Pinky, and older lady (voiced brilliantly by Jacki Weaver) who teaches Grace to relish life. While Grace often lives inside a shell, much like her pet snails, she does treasure her time with Pinky, whose final letter is touching.
This is an all-too-ordinary life told exquisitely (that's me trying to avoid saying ordinary and extraordinary in the same sentence). The emotions are overflowing and range from grief to sadness to frustration to anger to hope. Elliott includes nods to literature, roller coasters, Parisian street performers, guinea pigs, and nudist camps (possibly a first in the animated world). We also see the dark side of religion and the importance of friends and family. Grace truly lives the circle of life, as she learns that snails have no choice but to live in the shell under which they are born, but she does have a choice. The score from Elena Kats-Chernin is beautiful and fitting, and Elliot leaves us with this thought: "Life can only be understood backwards, but we have to live it forwards." So get busy living!
In theaters on November 8, 2024.
Relying heavily on narration, the story is told by Grace Pudel (voiced by Sarah Snook, "Succession"). It's her own life story, but contrary to what the film's title would have you believe, Grace is a person, not a snail (at least not a shelled gastropod). However, she is telling her story to her favorite pet snail, Sylvia. It's OK if that sounds a bit strange, because Grace and her story will draw you in and have you caring very much. The story starts at the beginning ... with Grace's premature birth ahead of her twin brother Gilbert (Kodi Smit-McPhee).
Grace chaperones us through her early years. These were not easy years as mom died early on, and dad was an alcoholic paraplegic with sleep apnea. Mostly we learn about Grace and her collection (hoarding) of snails she kept in a glass jar with Vegemite for their nutrition. She tells us about her beloved brother Gilbert's love of animals, reading, magic, and fire. When their dad dies, Child Services sends Grace and Gilbert to separate foster homes in different parts of Australia. It's not just geography that makes a difference. Grace is fostered by a couple of self-help gurus who are also swingers (it's not a movie for kids). Gilbert is sent to live with a harsh religious cult family demanding work while offering no love.
The twins maintain contact through letter-writing, and Grace fills in some of the details for us. Her story includes a romance with Ken, a neighbor who loves his leaf blower and has a certain fetish that takes Grace a while to uncover. She also forms a special bond with Pinky, and older lady (voiced brilliantly by Jacki Weaver) who teaches Grace to relish life. While Grace often lives inside a shell, much like her pet snails, she does treasure her time with Pinky, whose final letter is touching.
This is an all-too-ordinary life told exquisitely (that's me trying to avoid saying ordinary and extraordinary in the same sentence). The emotions are overflowing and range from grief to sadness to frustration to anger to hope. Elliott includes nods to literature, roller coasters, Parisian street performers, guinea pigs, and nudist camps (possibly a first in the animated world). We also see the dark side of religion and the importance of friends and family. Grace truly lives the circle of life, as she learns that snails have no choice but to live in the shell under which they are born, but she does have a choice. The score from Elena Kats-Chernin is beautiful and fitting, and Elliot leaves us with this thought: "Life can only be understood backwards, but we have to live it forwards." So get busy living!
In theaters on November 8, 2024.
- ferguson-6
- Nov 6, 2024
- Permalink
Awesome story with truly beautiful art and animation. I couldn't stop looking at all the thoughtful details throughout this entire movie. The sets are just mindblowing. Probably the best stop motion I've seen and in such a creative and unique artistic style. I think this movie was so successful in creating a seamless aesthetic while also telling a very thoughtful and emotional story. The creators of this film must feel very proud of what they've created here, and rightfully so. I also really appreciated the small moments of light heartedness and joy throughout this tragic telling. Without a doubt one of the best films of the year.
- cadebrown-37656
- Nov 8, 2024
- Permalink
Memoir of a snail is currently my second favourite movie that I have ever watched and here is why. First of all the animation is beautiful, it is very smooth and it will please your eyes
Secondly it is one of if not the funniest films I have ever seen, the comedy is magnificent.
My third reason is this film is very emotional, if you are going to watch this movie bring some tissues because you will probably cry watching this film.
My fourth reason is it has every single emotion that I can think of, there are sad moments, happy moments, funny moments, Scary moments, disgusting moments and more.
My fifth reason is the story is just amazing, it is a film about life and it's good and bad moments.
Overall go and watch this movie, it is a masterpiece with everything you would want from a film.
Secondly it is one of if not the funniest films I have ever seen, the comedy is magnificent.
My third reason is this film is very emotional, if you are going to watch this movie bring some tissues because you will probably cry watching this film.
My fourth reason is it has every single emotion that I can think of, there are sad moments, happy moments, funny moments, Scary moments, disgusting moments and more.
My fifth reason is the story is just amazing, it is a film about life and it's good and bad moments.
Overall go and watch this movie, it is a masterpiece with everything you would want from a film.
Ouch....this one really hits home with me.
After his masterpiece on Mary and Max, Adam Elliot comes back with another wonderful, beautiful, and humane animated movie that explores sibling bonding ship, hardships, complex life, and society.
Filled with weird but interesting claymation designs, Elliot approaches on the narrative, tone and atmosphere, on a more darker level compared to his previous work. Exploring the dark aspects of society, while still remaining joyful, touching and emotional. Elliot's approach to the animation, characters, and themes are well-explored and thus creating a great character study of a piece. Being focused more on the complex of society and how characters are forced to deal with their surroundings and environment.
Many of the voice performances are fantastic. As I mentioned, many of the characters are well-explored as you feel engaged with the characters and connect with them on an emotional level. What I love about Elliot's work is that he uses animation and character engagement in a unique way. Most animator's usually tend to focus on traditional approaches but Elliot explores more human and serious, as if this is what a real life experience is.
With the writing, the dialogue is great, the soundtrack is good, and many of the themes and emotional elements really hit hard. I haven't felt this emotionally connected with an animated movie since Wolfwalkers, where a movie I genuinely cared about the characters and really feel for them.
Unfortunately, I have a good feeling this movie won't be discussed a lot due to the heavy subject it explores and adult animation is rarely appreciated from the general medium. But, for sure, this is one of the best movies of 2024.
After his masterpiece on Mary and Max, Adam Elliot comes back with another wonderful, beautiful, and humane animated movie that explores sibling bonding ship, hardships, complex life, and society.
Filled with weird but interesting claymation designs, Elliot approaches on the narrative, tone and atmosphere, on a more darker level compared to his previous work. Exploring the dark aspects of society, while still remaining joyful, touching and emotional. Elliot's approach to the animation, characters, and themes are well-explored and thus creating a great character study of a piece. Being focused more on the complex of society and how characters are forced to deal with their surroundings and environment.
Many of the voice performances are fantastic. As I mentioned, many of the characters are well-explored as you feel engaged with the characters and connect with them on an emotional level. What I love about Elliot's work is that he uses animation and character engagement in a unique way. Most animator's usually tend to focus on traditional approaches but Elliot explores more human and serious, as if this is what a real life experience is.
With the writing, the dialogue is great, the soundtrack is good, and many of the themes and emotional elements really hit hard. I haven't felt this emotionally connected with an animated movie since Wolfwalkers, where a movie I genuinely cared about the characters and really feel for them.
Unfortunately, I have a good feeling this movie won't be discussed a lot due to the heavy subject it explores and adult animation is rarely appreciated from the general medium. But, for sure, this is one of the best movies of 2024.
- chenp-54708
- Nov 23, 2024
- Permalink
Our family went to the movies last night to watch the Australian film 🇦🇺 Memoirs of a Snail (2024). The story follows twins who live their best life together with their dad-until he passes away, and they're separated by child services. They struggle to find their way in life, facing scams and exploitation, yet they always hold out hope of finding happiness again someday.
Written and directed by Adam Elliot (Mary and Max), the film features the voices of Eric Bana (Troy), Sarah Snook (Succession), Jacki Weaver (Bird Box), Kodi Smit-McPhee (Let Me In), and Dominique Pinon (Alien Resurrection).
This movie is brilliantly crafted on all fronts. The animation is incredibly detailed and distinct, bringing a unique visual style to the film. The storyline is compelling and thoughtful, delivering meaningful insights into mental health, self-created happiness, and the idea that your past doesn't define you. The world in which the story takes place is richly imagined, and the unexpected sexual innuendos and nudity added a layer of realism that surprised me. The theme of friendship shines here, showing how two wounded souls can help heal one another. There's so much to appreciate, and the ending strikes a perfect balance between triumph and sadness, adding a touch of realism.
In conclusion, Memoirs of a Snail 🐌 is an exceptional addition to the animated genre and deserves consideration for Best Animated Picture of 2024. I'd rate it an 8/10 and strongly recommend it.
Written and directed by Adam Elliot (Mary and Max), the film features the voices of Eric Bana (Troy), Sarah Snook (Succession), Jacki Weaver (Bird Box), Kodi Smit-McPhee (Let Me In), and Dominique Pinon (Alien Resurrection).
This movie is brilliantly crafted on all fronts. The animation is incredibly detailed and distinct, bringing a unique visual style to the film. The storyline is compelling and thoughtful, delivering meaningful insights into mental health, self-created happiness, and the idea that your past doesn't define you. The world in which the story takes place is richly imagined, and the unexpected sexual innuendos and nudity added a layer of realism that surprised me. The theme of friendship shines here, showing how two wounded souls can help heal one another. There's so much to appreciate, and the ending strikes a perfect balance between triumph and sadness, adding a touch of realism.
In conclusion, Memoirs of a Snail 🐌 is an exceptional addition to the animated genre and deserves consideration for Best Animated Picture of 2024. I'd rate it an 8/10 and strongly recommend it.
- kevin_robbins
- Nov 3, 2024
- Permalink
'Memoir of a Snail' is Adam Elliot's second full-length stop-motion-animation film (15 years after the excellent 'Mary & Max'), and is another thoughtful, often-sad, sometimes funny, look at the life of a young girl, but this time they're twins - Grace (Snook) and Gilbert (Smit-McPhee). They suffer some tragedies and are forced to grow up in separate houses in Canberra and Perth.
Grace's backstory and her obsession with snails is done well, taking up most of the film, and while there's lots of depressing moments - and some odd/adult ones! - there's plenty of heart and silver-linings/hope that drives the story. Part of this is quirk Pinky (Weaver) and how she plays into the happy ending. I assume chunks of this film are inspired by Elliot's real life...
Great voice cast, with Eric Bana, Tony Armstrong, Magda Szubanski and Nick Cave too. The use of colour and texture of the Claymation is superb, with the detail exceptional, especially in the title scene. It's always fun and quirky to look at, with multiple things happening on the screen in every shot. Only 95min, but a near-lifetime is packed in, with plenty of touching moments.
Grace's backstory and her obsession with snails is done well, taking up most of the film, and while there's lots of depressing moments - and some odd/adult ones! - there's plenty of heart and silver-linings/hope that drives the story. Part of this is quirk Pinky (Weaver) and how she plays into the happy ending. I assume chunks of this film are inspired by Elliot's real life...
Great voice cast, with Eric Bana, Tony Armstrong, Magda Szubanski and Nick Cave too. The use of colour and texture of the Claymation is superb, with the detail exceptional, especially in the title scene. It's always fun and quirky to look at, with multiple things happening on the screen in every shot. Only 95min, but a near-lifetime is packed in, with plenty of touching moments.
For the first time in a long while, I felt bored and distracted. The animation is essentially just a dark, unsettling narrative that drags you down emotionally. Its only apparent goal is to leave the audience feeling depressed and hopeless.
There are too many unnecessary sexual themes that add nothing to the story-they're just bizarre and out of place.
Nothing about it was funny. It's not a comedy.
To appreciate this animation, you'd likely need to be in a very dark place emotionally. It feels like something you'd watch after losing someone, as a way to remind yourself that you're not alone in experiencing pain.
For those not dealing with depression, watching this could easily bring their mood down. On the other hand, people already struggling with depression might find some comfort in knowing others share similar feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and confusion.
There are too many unnecessary sexual themes that add nothing to the story-they're just bizarre and out of place.
Nothing about it was funny. It's not a comedy.
To appreciate this animation, you'd likely need to be in a very dark place emotionally. It feels like something you'd watch after losing someone, as a way to remind yourself that you're not alone in experiencing pain.
For those not dealing with depression, watching this could easily bring their mood down. On the other hand, people already struggling with depression might find some comfort in knowing others share similar feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and confusion.
- dmitry-31025
- Nov 18, 2024
- Permalink
- justgroovinyou
- Nov 24, 2024
- Permalink
What an absolutely beautiful, touching, well rounded, unique movie. I am beside myself.
I've watched thousands of movies, but this is the first time I felt compelled to write a review, immediately after the movie finished.
It is so full of emotion and really heartfelt. That's really all I have to say about it. It's perfect , and perfectly done. So creative and very impressive, considering the whole production is made out of clay. His previous movie, from 15 years ago (Mary & Max) was equally special, unique, touching, and full of heart.
I really wish more people heard about these movies or gave them a chance, because they are one of a kind and so so so darn good.
I've watched thousands of movies, but this is the first time I felt compelled to write a review, immediately after the movie finished.
It is so full of emotion and really heartfelt. That's really all I have to say about it. It's perfect , and perfectly done. So creative and very impressive, considering the whole production is made out of clay. His previous movie, from 15 years ago (Mary & Max) was equally special, unique, touching, and full of heart.
I really wish more people heard about these movies or gave them a chance, because they are one of a kind and so so so darn good.
- therealmaria
- Nov 24, 2024
- Permalink