Product: Snow Falling on Cedars (2000)
Rating: 5.0
Film collector's "must have"
This exquisitely produced and directed film is designed for those who watch movies manytimes. The story of a trial for murder of a Japanese-American man living in a community notyet shed of its wartime prejudices remains a compelling reminder of how easily justice is castaside. The plot, however, pales into insignificance in view of the captivating filmingtechniques used. A low-key presentation, every scene gives but hints of content, letting theplot build with almost infinitesimal steps. The viewer will remained glued in place, fearful ofmissing a vital element. Not a fast-paced adventure story, Snow Falling on Cedars isexemplary of the minor steps each life takes in its progress toward some fulfillment. Theresolution may not be palatable, but it's unquestionably realistic. The director deserves thehighest praise for what he's given us.Fans of Ethan Hawke, if such there be, may be disappointed in this role. He remains merely aface glimpsed in passing as the story unfolds. Any pretty, love-sick Hollywood boy couldhave performed this role adequately. He merely observes his surroundings and his past.Perhaps that's just, given that he inherited the town newspaper from his father. Sam Shepardas the father, outshines Hawke in the few scenes he's given appearance. The real star of thisfilm is, of course, Max von Sydow. Von Sydow simply walks away with it as the accusedman's lawyer. It ought to be an easy role to play. He simply has to defend justice as an ideal.Von Sydow, however, forcefully brings a sense of exceptional humanity in his performance.He's never been better. Were there not other elements of such fundamental importance in thisfilm that must be covered, von Sydow might have had a larger role. No matter, thepresentation of this film is so overwhelming, individual actors' preferences are of littleaccount. The "bigger picture," the story and its presentation, have given us a jewel of a film.