Snow Cake (2006)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Marc Evans

Writer:

Angela Pell (written by)

Release Date:

8 September 2006 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Sometimes stopping is the most important part of the journey...

Plot:

A drama focused on the friendship between a high-functioning autistic woman (Weaver) and a man (Rickman) who is traumatized after a fatal car accident.

Plot Keywords:

Road Trip | Funeral | Friendship | Ex Convict | Writer

Awards:

1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

Alan Rickman	...	Alex
Emily Hampshire	...	Vivienne
Jackie Brown	...	Waitress
Callum Keith Rennie	...	John Neil
Scott Wickware	...	Senior Cop
Johnny Goltz	...	Rookie Cop
James Allodi	...	Clyde
Janet van de Graaf	...	Meryl (as Janet van de Graaff)
Carrie-Anne Moss	...	Maggie
Julie Stewart	...	Florence
Sigourney Weaver	...	Linda
Charlie	...	Marilyn the Dog
Selina Cadell	...	Diane Wooton
Nia Roberts	...	Janet the Vet
Dov Tiefenbach	...	Jack the Optician

Runtime:

112 min

Country:

UK | Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

UK:15 | Ireland:15A | Sweden:Btl | Germany:6 | Singapore:PG | Netherlands:MG6 | USA:Not Rated | Portugal:M/12 (Qualidade) | Malaysia:U | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Grosso Jackson, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Revolution Films

Trivia:

Sigourney Weaver prepared for her role as Linda, by spending time with a high functioning autistic woman from England called Ros Blackburn. Although not a direct portrayal of Ros (who in real life cannot live independently and cannot read or write), many of Ros's mannerisms and characteristics are very apparent in Linda, likewise the passion for trampolining and things sparkly. Ros Blackburn gives public talks on what it is like to experience life as a person with autism.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: In the beginning of the movie Alex exits the restaurant. In the window it says White River. He is driving to Winnipeg which is west of White River. Yet Vivianne has a sign that says Wawa. That means he would be heading east back to Wawa instead of west to Winnipeg.

Quotes:

Linda Freeman: B-A-A-N-G.
Alex Hughes: You can't have two A's in bang.
Linda Freeman: In Comic Book Word Scrabble, you can. You can have three A's if you want.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Snow Cake: Autism Awareness (2007) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Hello Sunshine

heartbreaking - and not just for ASD professionals

I was able to see this as part of the recent Autism Cymru conference, and can honestly say that this is one of the best films I have seen for years. It somehow maintains a balance between the drama, the need to establish Weaver's character without mawkishness or making her a complete freak, and a rite of passage for Rickman's character. There was no point at which I doubted the authenticity of the character's experiences. It does help to know something about autism (I am a parent of someone with ASD and parts of this were so true it hurt) but not compulsory, and I would heartily recommend it to dispel some myths! I can't really tell you more without giving it all away - go and see it! Snow Cake is both poignant and rib-achingly funny in parts.

We were also fortunate to meet the writer, the director and the autistic woman who "coached" Sigourney Weaver. Absolutely fascinating. I can't wait for this to be released and will be buying the DVD for friends and family.