Our take
The worst possible things that could happen, happen to orphaned twins Gracie and Gilbert but still they power on, motivated solely by the hope of being reunited once more. It’s a sweet premise, young siblings on opposite ends of the country encouraging one another with heartfelt letters. And with the soft-spoken Gracie (Snook) narrating the whole thing, it’s easy to be lulled into a sense of ease and comfort. But those familiar with director Adam Elliot’s work know that it’s never that simple. The film is as dark and edgy as it is sentimental and hopeful. It’s a complex piece of work, one that asks: is life worth living? After all the hardships, misfortune, depravity, and brutality, must we go on? You probably know what answer the movie will give you, but how it gets there is a heart-shattering journey that’s worth taking nonetheless.
What it won
Oscars
1 nom
Golden Globes
1 nom
The story
Forcibly separated from her twin brother when they are orphaned, a melancholic misfit learns how to find confidence within herself amid the clutter of misfortunes and everyday life.
Elsewhere
"Elliot and his team deserve praise for making a stop-motion film that doesn’t lean on the usual array of snap-talking critters and easy-on-the-eye visual wonderment, and Memoir of a Snail is certainly a true original in its tone and execution."
— David Jenkins
"Composer Elena Kats Chernin’s soaring strings spiral through the score, underlining the potency of Grace’s platonic love and sibling connection in the face of life’s adversities. It invites us, alongside Grace, to shed our shells."
— Ivie Uzebu
In 1970s Australia, twins Gracie (Sarah Snook) and Gilbert (Kodi Smit-McPhee) are forced to be separated when they lose their parents. They face an onslaught of misfortune, but the possibility of being reunited gives them hope.
The animation, hands down.
It’s one of the darkest movies you’ll watch this year, but it’ll also be one of the most heartwarming.
Who picked it
Renee Cuisia is the lead curator at A Good Movie to Watch. In her spare time, she likes to watch K-dramas and analyze them to death. She's also seen You've Got Mail one too many times but is still convinced it's one of the greatest films out there.
Excellent
Excellent movie from beginning to end.