Memoir of a Snail

Official Australian release date: 17/10/24. Viewed: 10/11/24.
Director: Adam Elliot
Actors: Sarah Snook, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Jacki Weaver, Tony Armstrong
Genre: Drama / Comedy
Rating: M

‘Memoir of a Snail’ is Adam Elliot’s second full-length stop-motion-animation film (15 years after the excellent ‘Mary & Max’), and is another thoughtful, often-sad, sometimes funny, look at the life of a young girl, but this time they’re twins – Grace (Snook) and Gilbert (Smit-McPhee). They suffer some tragedies and are forced to grow up in separate houses in Canberra and Perth.

Grace’s backstory and her obsession with snails is done well, taking up most of the film, and while there’s lots of depressing moments – and some odd/adult ones! – there’s plenty of heart and silver-linings/hope that drives the story. Part of this is quirk Pinky (Weaver) and how she plays into the happy ending. I assume chunks of this film are inspired by Elliot’s real life…

Great voice cast, with Eric Bana, Tony Armstrong, Magda Szubanski and Nick Cave too. The use of colour and texture of the Claymation is superb, with the detail exceptional, especially in the title scene. It’s always fun and quirky to look at, with multiple things happening on the screen in every shot. Only 95min, but a near-lifetime is packed in, with plenty of touching moments.

Overall: Another strong family-focused adult animation

Gav's Rating: 3.5 stars