Snow Falling on Cedars Review

The Snow Falling on Cedars movie

The Snow Falling on Cedars movie is a beautiful adaptation of a popular novel. It is beautiful visually, but the story is somewhat overblown. The film is a slow burn, with plenty of overlapping dialogue and events, alternating with long scenes of snowfall. Max Von Sydow gives a superb performance. Among his many other roles, Von Sydow is the most compelling of the three main characters.

The film's background

The film is based on a best-selling novel by David Guterson, and it's a huge leap for Australian director Scott Hicks. Ultimately, the film is a Hollywood arthouse drama. The film starts out as a murder mystery, as a young white newspaper publisher investigates the death of a Japanese American fisherman. Throughout the film, flashbacks reveal the history of the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans and forced relocation.

An exploration of trauma and moving on

"Snow Falling on Cedars" is a beautifully acted and well-acted drama about two men trying to move on from the past. In the present, Ishmael Chambers' teen romance with Hatsue (played by Rebecca Hall) is reminiscent of the romance between two men in the past. Both characters are moving past their traumas, but it's important to acknowledge that the war has had a lasting impact on their lives.

The film's impact and message

The Snow Falling on Cedars movie premiered in Seattle and was well-received by locals. In the era of World War II, many people still harbor hard feelings about the Japanese Americans that were interned there. The movie brings history into the story, and evokes powerful emotions in the audience. The film's pacing is surprisingly engrossing, and its message is powerful and inspiring.

An intertwined narrative

The Snow Falling on Cedars movie is based on a best-selling novel by David Guterson. It weaves together three interwoven threads: courtroom drama, romance, and an examination of racial prejudice. The film utilizes flashbacks to help the audience piece the puzzle together. Director Scott Hicks uses creative techniques to shift back and forth between past and present, blending both in the same shot. Through this, the audience is able to piece together the relationship between Hatsue and Ishmae.