Adam Elliot’s New Stop-Motion Film Will Make You Laugh As Much As You Cry

Memoir of a Snail
is the latest project from writer-director Adam Elliot, who has made his name on tragicomedies like his new animated feature. Memoir of a Snail joins his ranks of stunning stop-motion animated movies that include Mary and Max and Harvie Krumpet, both of which share the melancholy and cautious optimism of Memoir of a Snail. Though there are bright spots throughout the film’s 94-minute runtime, Memoir of a Snail pulls no punches and isn’t afraid to make you cry. However, a few tears never hurt anyone, and there are hidden opportunities for joy.

Following Grace Pudel, a young woman recounting the story of life, which is riddled with loss, Memoir of a Snail is a deep and searching character study. For those listening closely, you’ll notice that the voice of Grace is Sarah Snook from the cast of Succession, who’s a far cry from the privileged Shiv Roy. Not only is Grace the protagonist, but also the narrator, dutifully recounting tragedy after tragedy with the methodical pace of the filmmaker behind the story. However, Grace tells us from the beginning that she’s always looking for her silver lining.

Adam Elliot Brings His Characteristic Whimsy & Tragedy To Memoir Of A Snail

For Every Moment Of sadness, Elliot Encourages Us To Laugh

It’s easy to see shades of Elliot in Grace, a shy young girl with an acrobatic father and a penchant for stop-motion animation. Though Grace’s story takes a few more tragic turns than Elliot’s, by giving a part of himself to his characters, Elliot shares something truly vulnerable and touching. We can see ourselves in Grace, even if our hardships haven’t come close to what she faces, because she was created to be someone universally human, and this is the gift that Elliot’s style of filmmaking gives.

Friendship and small acts of kindness are paramount in Memoir of a Snail, as the story encourages us to see the humor and love in every situation, even when they’re dire. For those unfamiliar with Elliot’s style, the ceaseless obstacles that Grace and her beloved twin brother Gilbert (Kodi Smit-McPhee) encounter can be a lot. The characters themselves are overwhelmed by the sheer weight of their sadness, but the film doesn’t want us to leave thinking that life is only a tragedy.

It’s the eccentricities of the characters that make them memorable rather than their hardships. Grace’s friend Pinky (Jacki Weaver) is eventually revealed to have had just as difficult a life as Grace, but that hasn’t stopped her from living it to the fullest extent. This is the overarching message of Memoir of a Snail: life is too short to live halfway. Through the distinctive but gorgeous visuals of Elliot’s story, we learn this lesson alongside Grace and feel deeply for her as she navigates each phase of her life, which the story treats with equal care and balance.

The narrative slowly unfolds before us, perfectly pacing each part of Grace’s life and building our investment in her story. While the structure could be considered simplistic, Elliot strengthens it with flashbacks to other characters’ backstories and intersperses Grace’s coming of age with the harsh realities of Gilbert’s. However, Memoir of a Snail never asks us or the narrative to compare the depth of sadness or experience. Every experience is treated with equal weight and importance. Even as we realize that Grace’s life is becoming a string of misfortunes, it’s impossible not to stick with her.

Memoir Of A Snail’s Message & Themes Might Be Familiar, But That Doesn’t Make Them Less Impactful

The Lessons Grace Learns Are Universal Truths That Are Always Timeless

While we’ve all been told to seize the day, that life’s too short, and plenty of other platitudes many times throughout our lives, Memoir of a Snail doesn’t treat its themes with flippancy. It acknowledges that for Grace and us all, this lesson takes time to sink in. Familial love is also a key facet of the film. Though their actual time together onscreen is short, the connection between Grace and Gilbert pours out of the screen and will resonate with anyone with a sibling. He’s Grace’s anchor to reality and the overarching silver lining of the story.

At this point, it hardly needs to be said that the animation genre, specifically stop-motion, isn’t just for children, even if the themes in Memoir of a Snail would connect with audiences of any age. The future of the stop-motion industry relies on visionaries like Elliot, and it’s a gorgeous appeal to how important it is that independent films like this are made and seen. Whatever Elliot does next, it’s sure to have the care and humor that makes Memoir of a Snail so sad and so beautiful to witness.

Memoir of Snail will be available to watch in NY & LA theaters on October 25 before expanding to other theaters on November 1. The film is 94 minutes long and rated R for sexual content, nudity and some violent content.

9/10

In 1970s Australia, Grace Pudel, a shy and melancholic woman, navigates a life of loss and loneliness after being separated from her twin brother. Finding solace in her love for snails and eccentric friendships, Grace’s journey highlights themes of resilience and self-discovery, told through Adam Elliot’s signature stop-motion animation.

Pros

• Memoir of a Snail has an impactful message and themes
• The story treats all of its characters’ experiences with equal weight
• The film is vulnerable and touching
• It has great characters and they’re all treated with care