Memoir of a Snail Review
Everyone wants to hold on to something even if it hurts them. The emotional attachments we make can last for years, but when we get too attached, it becomes seriously unhealthy. Yet, when bad things happen, it feels like it’s the only thing we can do. That’s the big idea behind Memoir of a Snail, an extremely poignant animated film about withdrawal and kindness that’s incredibly inspirational. While the choice of stop-motion might suggest that this film could be family-friendly a la Kubo and the Two Strings or Inside Out, it’s certainly not. However, it balances out its crudeness with subtlety to successfully create a wonderful story.
Set in 1970s Australia, Memoir of a Snail follows the life of Grace, who also serves as the reliable narrator. From her early childhood with her alcoholic father to her lonely adult life without her brother, Grace struggles to move on. Over time, she’s able to find solace in new company through Pinky, an elderly woman who helps Grace with adulthood. From facing problems like terrible bullies to even worse dates, Grace must learn how to gain the confidence she needs to overcome her situations.
Memoir of a Snail’s use of stop-motion animation really accentuates this surrealism that surrounds this thematic message. It consistently maintains these bleak, worn out shades to emphasize the tragic circumstances Grace constantly finds herself in. At times, there are moments where the film throws in a bucket of colors to give certain scenes that spark of optimism. Visually, everything about this little world feels oddly unique, especially with the character and set designs. It’s as if Tim Burton’s 9 collided with the World of Goo games to give this film a peculiar distinction from others like it.
However, this world, and its story in Memoir of a Snail, come to life through its fantastic cast. Sarah Snook, who voices the older Grace as the narrator, delivers her lines with this charming ignorance. Through Snook’s wondrous performance, you’re instantly reeled into Grace and her hilarious and sad tangents about her life. At certain points, it makes you feel really bad for her because of how the world has treated her. Her relationship with Jacki Weaver’s Pinky however gives the film a needed hint of positivity to an otherwise depressingly compelling story.
On the other end of things, Memoir of a Snail also has a minor focus on Grace’s brother, Kodi Smit-McPhee’s Gilbert. Once the both of them get separated due to an untimely event, Gilbert gets put through the worst of it. Gilbert is entrapped in this overly religious institution that takes advantage of him and he constantly gets punished for his wrong-doings. He still manages to hold onto hope that he could see his sister again, and that’s what counts.
These scenes overtly emphasize this satirical dark humor with a whimsical tone that really makes you wonder how it can get away with it. Might some of it be offensive? It all depends on your personal perspective. However, when this storyline climaxes in the third act, it really tugs on the emotional strings it’s tied together.
Speaking on those emotional strings, director Adam Elliot gives brevity to Memoir of a Snail in ways that feel realistic. Coupled with the narration provided by Snook, Elliot’s direction and writing makes you deeply sympathetic to Grace. The intricate writing around these hardships and the silver linings that Grace and Gilbert make is never emotionally forced. Rather, the film lets its showing do all the work through the two siblings’ acts of compassion, like with Grace being kind to a homeless man. However, you could absolutely sense this dread lingering as Grace becomes too stuck in her past, but it still remains hopeful even in the worst of times for the two.
Ultimately, Memoir of a Snail is a beautifully poetic story about vulnerability and change that’s incredibly mature and understanding for its form. Though Elliot has only done shorts, like Mary and Max, he has proven himself as a self-actualized director with this film. Plus, Sarah Snook, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Jacki Weaver, and the entire cast, which also include Eric Bana and Nick Cave, deliver wonderfully heartfelt performances. Sure, it might not be for kids, but it’s got all the heart and passion it needs to confront such existential ideas head-on.
Memoir of a Snail opens in theaters October 25.
Rating
★★★★½
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.