Snow Falling on Cedars
2 Stars (Out of 4)
Reviewed by Mac VerStandig
Critic@moviereviews.org
http://www.moviereviews.org
November 17, 1999
USA Release Date - January 7, 2000
A copy of this review can be found at http://www.moviereviews.org/snow_falling_on_cedars_-_review.htm
Despite being a visual marvel and cinematic triumph, Snow Falling on Cedars is ultimately a failure in terms of living up to its potential and expectations. That Universal is marketing this film for Best Picture is an insult to the Academy's intellect. The production does have moments of glory, namely riveting courtroom scenes and the aforementioned cinematography.
It is December, 1950 in the state of Washington and prejudice runs thick among locals. One morning an American body is found murdered at sea. The man soon standing trial is Japanese. To Kill A Mock85oops, sorry, I = mean Snow Falling on Cedars focuses on the obvious racism involved. As someone points out of the trial "Every once in a while, somewhere in the world, humanity goes on trial."
The film is based on David Guterson's novel of the same title. Humor aside, there is a strong argument that this work is little more than a poorly disguised adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird. The only major difference is that in To Kill a Mockingbird the stories and characters outside of the trial are well developed and intriguing. Here they are like a random collage. In that sense, Snow Falling on Cedars is more like Mike Figgis' awful film The Loss of Sexual Innocence where footage of unrelated stories was shot and randomly assembled on an editing table.
The court scenes are truly excellent and even solicit memories of classics like Inherit the Wind. Max Von Sydow plays Nels Gudmundson, the defense lawyer. Like the brilliant Dustin Hoffman in Sleepers, he is shaky and visually unintimidating. But when his character goes after witnesses it is truly a classic courtroom drama. Von Sydow should be applauded and may even see his name as a long shot Best Supporting Actor nomination. Equally magnificent is James Cromwell as the presiding judge, determined to have a trial without prejudice.
Snow Falling on Cedars is a genuinely attractive film. The title-descriptive winter scenery could easily comprise a calendar (a rarity for any image absent a semi-nude woman in the 90's.) Interestingly, the camera is almost always either focussed on a person's face or a large, rich scene. There are very few half-way shots. These facial portraits are further enhanced by being only half lit, yin-yang style. Unfortunately even this engaging technique sheds light on a flaw: everyone's makeup is perfect. When people sweat, cry or are just themselves, their faces are a little too beautiful to be believed.
The court scenes are particularly effective because the script creates a genuine hatred towards certain prejudice characters. Not since Jack Nicholson's riveting performance in A Few Good Men has a film been so effective at creating such feelings towards a witness. Just as facial portraits reveal unrealistic makeup, dE9j=E0 vu of that 1991 production = is a too strong to be ignored. The pinnacle of this is when a witness is questioned about their phone calls in the same manner that Tom Cruise bombarded Nicholson some eight years ago.
It is most unfortunate that courtroom drama, excellent acting and visual ecstasy like this must be ruined by murky plot lines and poor adaptation. Ironically, yin-yang is more than just some characters' portraits, it is an underlying theme of Snow Falling on Cedars.
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