Snow Falling on Cedars

Rating:
Summary: A movie in love with existence
Review: Do you know how you come across those people who are so graceful, so exuberant, & so amzing that they make most people seem like zombies? Well that's what this movie does to other films. This is a film desperately in love with being alive. Every camera shot, every sound effect, every close-up seems to give the viewer a new perspective, a new take on life. For me it's one of those life-changing things.

The story is somewhat heavy-handed in parts: the director never really gives you a realistic Japanese perspective on the horror of being ripped from their homes & being sent to relocation camps (and, frankly, given that 40 million people died in WWII & tens of millions more lost everything they owned, it seems almost miniscule). And while the prosecution's closing argument basically amounts to 'convict him because he's Japanese', the defense's closing argument seems equally inept: 'acquit him because he's Japanese.'

But these are minor issues indeed. The story moves past these quickly and makes a far better argument against prejudice in the protagonist's personal story. And IT IS an amazing story.

Rating:
Summary: The snow falls with only one hand clapping!
Review: To rate a movie using the original book as the guideline is perhaps not fair to the film--after all, they are two different media.

In "Snow Falling on Cedars," one is first gripped by the phenomenal cinematography. To review a VHS edition based upon what one sees on the Big Screen is also not valid. In this case, much of the effect is lost when the movie is "formatted to fit your TV." That being said, however, even with the deletion of the panorama, the photography still is this film's best attribute. Certainly, the photographers enhance the Zen utilized in the film to great success. The music is scored to enhance the visual effects and it, too, triumphs. At times, we find the photography as haiku--and very well "written" indeed!

These aspects aside, the film founders heavily--it lists to starboard before it is over. Up through the actual trial, there is hope for this exceptional film; however, the director chooses to use Melodrama (with a capital M) as rescuer. Melodrama, in its place, perhaps, is admissable, but great films avoid it, and the trial's easy come, easy go "solution" and accompanying reactions are simply that: melodrama. This seriously mars the film (that and Ethan Hawke in the top billing role). Fortunately, the overall acting is saved by Max von Sydow, the aging attorney, standing for truth and justice for all. Granted, the film's attack on racism (this toward the Japanese following Pearl Harbor) is right on.

Certainly, this theme is stressed in most effective ways and the viewer is left with a feeling that the defiled is vindicated.

Granted, too, the book is excellent--but it is a book; this is a film and one "shouldn't have to have read ANY book" to appreciate a film.

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Rating:
Summary: The worst movie ever!
Review: In comparison to the book, this movie was not fully accurate and it moved very slowly. I did not enjoy watching this movie, nor did it add any insight to the novel. However, the parts that were included from the novel were correct and fairly accurate. The cast did a good job acting, but they did not have a good script to act out. It is not worth renting this movie, let alone purchasing it.

Rating:
Summary: Nice work
Review: I appreciated the somber, moody atmosphere of this movie, and how an otherwise brutal series of events was treated with grace and subtlety. I found the narrative easy to follow, and the unconventional, subjective manner in which it was delivered was a refreshing change. The acting was consistently good, but this is really a director's or cinematographer's movie, not a star vehicle. Overall, it's a fine piece of work.

Rating:
Summary: some interesting parallels
Review: I haven't seen mentioned in any of the reviews (I will admit I haven't read them all) the parallel between Snow Falling on Cedars and To Kill a Mockingbird. The basic premise and setting a courtroom drama and justice in the face of racial prejudice is exactly the same. One particular scene stood out where the Japanese bow to Ishmel out of respect for his help.

One reviewer wrote:

"The only character I really felt for was Ishmael. The girl he loved had treated him with such insensitivity and cruelity, Yes, i know this was back in the early 1900s' but if u really love someone, no boundary should come between you and your love."

I think this is missing some really important points i.e. love does not always win in the real world. This girl he loved was insensitive? Wow, we certainly were sensitive to the Japanese as we took away their rights as US citizens because they looked like the enemy. One of the darkest spots in US history.

Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking cinematography, invasive music, 1 hour too long
Review: One of the most beautifully filmed movies in recent years. The beauty of the images is about all there is to recommend here. The manipulative music is far too loud and sappy. Ethan Hawke is a robot. Scott Hicks commentary is one of the most boring on any DVD. Far too long, the only thing keeping your finger from the fast forward button are the images themselves.

Rating:
Summary: A love story for the hart.
Review: The romance in this movie is so perfect and so romantic. The drama in this movie is so nice looking I love it. This movie is very sad but it also is a happy movie. If you watch one this year watch this movie.

Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Film and DVD...but only if You Read the Book!
Review: I enjoyed both the film and the book for Snow Falling on Cedars. I found the book interesting and important and the film beautiful. Again, let me stress the film is just so beautiful to look at.

However, let me add that I do not think anyone who has not read the book can like or follow the movie. I loved the film and understood all that was going on, but had I not read the book there is no way I would like the movie.

So let me say this, anyone who enjoyed the book will love the film version. But if you have not read the book dont bother with the film, if you are unfamiliar with the story you will get lost watching the film.

So I say, read the book, its great, than rent the film.

Rating:
Summary: Awfully slow...
Review: The movie has so much going for it - good photography, beautiful scenery, interesting characters, intriguing plot...etc. However, I found it slow. In fact, I kept fast forwarding and fast forwarding...trying to make it to the end of the movie. I was tempted to just pop the tape out of the VCR and move on with my day.

And how many times do we need to see the two lead characters make out in the woods? Apparently several dozen times.

The movie just didn't click with me.

And I found it agonizingly SLOW.

Rating:
Summary: An Emotionally Draining Movie
Review: I just saw one fantastic movie.

Snow Falling on Cedars

The story is about a forbidden romance set against the isolation of the Washington forests, a murder trial, and racial prejudice. It is 'Romeo and Juliet' mixed with a bit of 'Othello'

That alone is nothing special, but what truly makes this movie unique is the fashion of telling. Like Willaim Faulker's 'As I Lay Dying' the author uses a stream of consciousness technique wherein the plot jumps rapidly from one event to another... like the recollection of memories.

Most of the story takes place in the distant past rather than the immediate present, requiring the viewer to piece together the various past events to understand the motivations of the present. The result is a flow of images and sounds and emotions that draw you into the characters' minds and make you a part of the drama.

Excellent.

I note that a number of other reviewers have commented that this movie is near perfect but flawed, because it ends with a conventional happy ending. I have to wonder: What happy ending is that?

The man can not hold the woman in his arms.

Nor the woman hold the man.

It's an unrequited love. The man sees his lifelong friend and lover every day, but he can never have her... and he has no other prospects... he is a lonely, lonely person. *This* is a happy ending? I call it a tragedy. Were I in Ishmael's shoes, I would likely kill myself in order to end the pain. The ultimate in classic tragedy.

Obviously, this movie had a profound effect on me. I believe that is the ultimate goal for all authors of books, plays, and movies: To effect the reader emotionally and mentally. Catharsis. On that count, I give 'Snow Falling on Cedars' a 10 out of 10.