Throughout the film, there are allusions to Alex's past. Why is he going to Winnipeg? What happened to his son? How did this seemingly controlled man kill someone? When the driver of the truck shows up on Linda's doorstep, we see the potential of Alex's rage, and we see his fear of it. He confronts the driver (played by Callum Keith Rennie), warns the driver to leave, and then Alex runs. He bolts away, clearly afraid of what his anger could do. Yet, by the film's end, having told the whole story to the not-prostitute next door, he is able to make a kind of peace with the driver, a man who is clearly as broken as he is.
Snow Cake is not a revolutionary movie. In many ways, it is deeply conventional. But with its beautiful, chilly Northern Ontario setting and the strong performances (not just of Rickman and Weaver, but also of supporting cast members, particularly Jayne Eastwood, as Linda's mother), the movie is disarmingly delightful. A movie about grief, guilt, and loneliness, the film is life-affirming and optimistic. Hopeful. Twice in his life, cars hurtled into Alex's world, abruptly removing potential. The potential of the son he never had the chance to meet. The potential of Vivienne who was so full of creative energy. Yet, as the final music comes up (a haunting soundtrack composed by Broken Social Scene), it is Alex who is behind the wheel, with a road ahead of him. He is driving, and he is ready to go forward.
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Article comments
1 - Yulia Ivanova
Thank you very much Bonnie for that review, I trust it does show the sense of "Snow Cake"!
2 - Lydia W
I too was there to see the film and thought it was great. Mr Rickman can play any type of character to perfection. Ms Weaver was very good and funny. I thought they played comically well together. Th scrabble sceen was the best. I almost fell out of my chair laughing with the cookie sceen. This one good movie that i think everyone should see.
3 - April
This was a wonderful review...I've been looking forward to this film for a while. Rickman is fantastic in all that he touches, but this story sounds good enough to stand alone.
4 - Michelle
I am wondering, since TIFF always predicts Oscar chances, does anyone think the Academy should at least pay attention to Rickman's acting in this film, even if they find the story conventional? I mean, what I've heard, he's amazing!! Brilliant! Sensational! Best role of his career thus far! So why hasn't there been any buzz about this role while Ryan Gosling is actually being considered? I have nothing against Ryan Gosling but I have heard better talk about Rickman but less buzz!
5 - Bonnie
Rickman is very good in this film as always, but I don't know if it's quite Oscar worthy. I'm not sure it has that something extra that I always think should be in an Oscar-nominated performance. Then again, I am a lousy predicter of Oscars, and I am often surprised by the nominees. And I certainly wouldn't have any problems if this Rickman's performance was nominated. Also, I'm not sure when Snow Cake is being released; maybe that's why there hasn't been a lot of buzz so far?