Memoir of a Snail (15) |Close-Up Film Review
Dir: Adam Elliot, Australia 2024, 94mins
Cast Voices: Sara Snook, Kodi Smith-McPhee
Review by Carlie Newman
Primarily about a young woman who finds it difficult to fit in, but it is also about her collection of snails and her close relationship with her twin brother Gilbert from whom she separated when very young. She tells the story of her life, to her pet snail.
It’s 1970s Australia and the mother of Grace Pudel (voiced by Sarah Snook) suddenly dies, and she and her brother, Gilbert (Kodi Smith-McPhee) are orphaned. The twins are separated and sent to foster homes on different sides of the country. Grace is raised by a pleasant couple in Canberra. As they enjoy swinging. Grace is often left alone. Gilbert ends up with religious fundamentalists who are farmers in Perth and treat him very badly.
Although the twins can’t see each other, they keep in contact through letters and Gilbert promises to come for her when he grows up. Grace forms no real connections. She becomes obsessed with collecting anything to do with snails.
Grace becomes an adult and falls in love with a new neighbour called Ken who proposes to her. However, on their wedding day, she learns that Gilbert has died in a fire. Grace is very depressed and over eats. More misfortune befalls Grace and even when things seem to be getting better disaster hits again.
There’s a great musical background good dialogue and visuals. The film on the whole is depressing but there are moments of humour and the story is presented artistically with well-voiced characters who give the movie meaning and leave one with an appreciation of a well-made film beautifully filmed with stop motion used to great effect.
