Seems like this happens less and less these days, but I can highly recommend MEMOIR OF A SNAIL. One of the common pitfalls of more artistic animated features is that they lean heavily on their visual inventiveness, but often their scripts are not strong. Phil Tippet’s MAD GOD is a recent example of this. Highly visually creative, but the script is the barest structure to hang sequences on. In the case of MEMOIR, I think you could shoot this script as live action and it would still hold up. The story is engaging and I was fully invested in the characters, and to some degree, performances. The script is also witty which adds some lightness to balance the darker visual style. Here’s hoping we get a spinoff devoted solely to the life of Pinky, voiced by Jackie Weaver. I hope I’m her when I grow up.
Visually, the film is a fun combination of styles. Some of the darkness of Tim Burton, but the charm of Aardman Studios. There are even hints of Rugrats and Homer Simpson.
Much mainstream animation is aimed at kids, but if one is lucky, the filmmakers will throw in just enough adult references to keep the parents engaged as well. This is not that type of film. This is a grownup story that adults, particularly those of us middle-aged and above can relate to. It is a story about middle-aging, survival and re-invention. The events of the film may be pretty heavy, but they are always handled deftly with charm and humor. Kids would probably be engaged by the visuals but they may miss many of the jokes and references, even if parents deem it appropriate for them to see.
MEMOIR OF A SNAIL is getting a pretty wide release, but it may not stay long in smaller markets. If it comes to town, don’t miss it. In a time where I seriously question the values of people, even creatives all around me, it is nice to know that somebody out there “gets it.” It lifted my mood, I hope it does yours as well.