Memoir of a Snail (2024)

 

Source: TMDB

A fictional yet true-to-life story that doesn’t hold back in the slightest from showing daily eccentricities, Memoir of a Snail is perhaps the first true relatable animated effort this year, as the polarizing, depressive, out-there nature it has makes director Adam Elliot’s 2nd feature film distinct in all of stop-motion.

We follow the story of twins Grace and Gilbert, who are thrust into life’s worst realities with no forethought. Living with their former juggler-turned-alcoholic father, Percy, they find a happy equilibrium in each other’s company, but when tragedy strikes, life’s forces intervene for an emotionally unimaginable rollercoaster of a future that never stops throttling. Alas, both get separated in the wide continent of Australia, frozen in time with their idealistic thoughts being the only thing keeping them linked in the sands of time. While new people come into their lives, like Pinky (an experienced old woman) for Grace, Adam Elliot successfully links feelings of vulnerability, discontent, loneliness, and struggle together to give rise to a supremely tragic life story that pushes itself past the envelope of mundaneness. There’s never a feeling of predictability in the 94-minute runtime, only getting depressive and more grounded in portraying the dark depravities of everyday life. 

Stunning stop motion work also makes this out of the ordinary in recent times - so many creative angles/shots that manage to resonate in viewers’ minds with dynamic camerawork to boot. Everything from little details like the curveball movement of a flying finger to the immenseness of an ancient wooden rollercoaster is portrayed with an energetic and vibrant sensibility that keeps the film on its toes. Given the film’s multiple settings, the art direction complements the emotional pain of the 2 leads, as well as personality traits being emphasized with scale and size. Easily besting other animated efforts this year, there’s truly something for everyone here, despite it not at all being intended for typical audiences of the genre.

Overall, Memoir of a Snail is 2024’s unexpected animated masterpiece, making comparative efforts feel ingenuine as a result. While this may not fare well as it would in a just world, it will still go down as one of the more memorable indie animated efforts in recent memory. 

My Rating: 9/10 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿

Now playing in theaters!

A IFC FILMS RELEASE