Snow Cake (2006)

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

Director:

Marc Evans

Writer:

Angela Pell

Stars:

Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver, Carrie-Anne Moss

3 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alan Rickman	...	Alex Hughes
Emily Hampshire	...	Vivienne Freeman
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 Freeman
Charlie	...	Marilyn the Dog
Selina Cadell	...	Diane Wooton
Nia Roberts	...	Janet the Vet
Dov Tiefenbach	...	Jack the Optician

Storyline

Alex Hughes, an ex-convict, is on a road trip to Winnipeg to see an old friend. Along the way, he meets the annoying, but vivacious, Vivienne Freeman who manages to bum a ride with him. Just as he begins to warm to this eccentric girl, Alex's vehicle is in a serious automobile accident that kills Vivienne. After his meeting with the police, Alex decides to speak with Vivienne's mother. Upon arrival at her home, Alex discovers that the mother, Linda, is a highly functional autistic woman who convinces him to stay long to take out the garbage the day after the funeral he agrees to arrange. In those few days, Alex discovers new friends and learns more about the uniqueness of Linda even as he struggles to come to terms with his own grief.

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Plot Keywords:

garbage | funeral | sex | autistic savant | dead girl | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Canada UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 September 2006 (UK)

Also Known As:

Um Certo Olhar

Filming Locations:

Grosso Jacobson Studios, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

€3,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$16,113, 29 December 2006, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$26,014, 10 June 2007

Company Credits

Production Co:

Revolution Films, Rhombus Media, 2 Entertain Video

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

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.

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Goofs

On two separate occasions, Linda refers to distances in miles. It is unlikely that a Canadian would instinctively use miles when expressing distance, as Canada uses kilometres.

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Quotes

Maggie: [offering to the tea-deprived Alex] Assam. Darjeeling.
Alex Hughes: [gratefully, choosing] There is a God!
Maggie: Nope, there is FedEx! An English friend of mine sent it over. Don't go inventing a deity to thank for the small miracles. They just happen.

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Connections

Referenced in Snow Cake: Autism Awareness (2007)

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Soundtracks

Same Deep Water as Me
Performed by I Am Kloot
Courtesy of The Echo Label Ltd
Written by John Bramwell, Andrew Hargreaves & Peter Jobson
Published by Chrysalis Music Ltd

User Reviews

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.