Memoir of a Snail

Talk about a nice surprise. Mary and Max is one of my favorite animated films ever, but as much as it made an impact on release, soon after things grew quiet around director Adam Elliot. Fifteen years later he returns with Memoir of a Snail, his second feature film. I hadn't heard anything or anyone about it before I bumped into its actual release, which somewhat tempered my expectations. Luckily, that turned out to be completely unnecessary, as those fifteen years had done nothing to affect Elliot's charm. Memoir of a Snail is an animated marvel and an instant classic.

I'm a big fan of stop-motion animation, though the last couple of films I watched in that style were disappointing (I'm looking at you Del Toro and Aardman). There's a tendency to get extra help from the computer nowadays, which takes away from its charm. And it's not even about craft, it's the way the animation looks cleaner than it should. Smooth and proper is not what makes stop-motion interesting, but that's the direction many of these films are going for. It was a relief to see Elliot hadn't messed around much with the signature art style of his previous works, even if that means there's not a lot of progress.

Memoirs of a Snail will feel familiar to people who've seen Mary and Max. Elliot is still into detailed narration, which he illustrates through moody stop-motion animation. There's a literary quality to his writing, but there's also a lot of comedy, and from time to time Elliot doesn't mind ruffling some feathers with an edgier joke. It's this particular combination I adore, as it offers a lovely mix of class and wit, without things ever becoming too stuffy or highbrow. Either approach would've been fine with me, but it's the contrast between both that gives Elliot his unique appeal.

When Pinky dies, Grace Puddle looks back on her life. With Pinky gone, she has nobody to rely on except her pet snails. While Grace has a positive mindset, her life has been challenging, and little by little it has chipped away at her gleeful disposition. The death of her mom at birth was just the beginning. The untimely death of her dad split up her and her twin brother and left them with less-than-desirable foster parents. And Grace's bad luck would continue to haunt her throughout the rest of her life. Luckily, Pinky left behind a legacy that will free Grace from her internal prison.

Mary and Max was shot in black and white, with Memoir of a Snail Elliot switched to a sepia look. It's not quite monochrome, but don't expect to see many other (dominant) colors. The character designs are fun and quirky, but it's the details in the sets that bring Elliot's films to life. The craft on display is stunning and the animation looks smooth enough, without taking away from the stop-motion appeal. The camera work and editing also deserve a mention, as the camera aspires more than merely capturing a scene and the editing makes for more dynamic scenes. Stop-motion will always be an acquired taste but for those who like the style, Memoirs of a Snail will no doubt be a real treat.

The score isn't quite on the same level. It's pleasant enough and gives the film a laid-back vibe, but it didn't make much of an impression. Think lo-fi drama piano tunes and light string music. And that mixed with some classic chansons (because there's a bit of a French theme woven through the film). It's charming and agreeable, but also very expected and unadventurous. It's a good thing then that the voice work is exceptional, especially with so many monologues to go through. Sarah Snook does a superb job as Grace, the rest of the cast (with Bana and Pinon as most familiar names) isn't too far behind.

The film's structure is straightforward, with Grace looking back at her life after her best and only friend has died. Elliot alternates between life-changing events and trivial details steering Grace's fate, often connecting the two in smart and inventive ways. That's all there is to it though, so if you're not a big fan of this setup it will become repetitive almost immediately. It's probably the film's biggest weakness, but if you're like me and you love this type of quirky, detail and wit-driven narration it's a real boon, as few films seem to get this formula right.

Memoirs of a Snail may not be a sequel, but it's a direct spiritual successor to Mary and Max, offering the exact same appeal in a different narrative with different characters. That's my only reason for scoring the film a bit lower, as I feel 15 years was more than enough time to tweak the formula a tiny bit more, and give it a more contemporary edge. I realize it's extreme nitpicking with so much loveliness on display, and fans of Elliot shouldn't be worried when seeking out his latest. It's an absolute delight from start to finish and one of the best stop-motion films I've seen in ages.