Product: Snow Falling on Cedars (2000)
Rating: 2.0
I Guess I Just Don't Get It
Okay, this movie is heavy on atmosphere, which everyone seems to notice and comment on. But as the movie's most salient characteristic, it isn't enough to carry it. I found the characters wooden and predictable, and the story even more predictable.The backstory--which we're shown in flashbacks--is fairly standard: forbidden childhood love between a white guy and Japanese girl, which the girl abruptly declares is impossible and walks away from. Hawke's character is supposed to be bitter, but he doesn't seem particularly embittered--remorseful, yes, but not bitter.And there is also the I-can't-fill-my-father's-shoes element. Yawn.Or course, everyone does the right thing in the end and Hawke's character's bitterness is resolved with all the banality and predictability you'd expect. With all the talent in this movie, you wonder why everyone is so dull...dull, dull, dull. The only engaging character in the film is Max Von Sydow, who I guess can do no wrong. Has he ever? I don't think so.Rent this one on dollar night. Definitely don't buy it.