This week’s film recommendation is Memoir of a Snail (2024). Hailing from the land down under, this charming claymation is a beautiful reflection on a woman’s life, featuring her love for snails. With humor, charm, and heartbreak, this film leaves everyone thinking about what kind of life they’ve lived and what they want to change about it as they move forward.

The film is directed by Adam Elliot, an Australian filmmaker and animator, and features the talented voice acting of Sarah Snook, known for Succession, and Kodi Smit-McPhee, from Paranorman, among others. It’s a deliberation on the interesting and almost comedically tragic life of the anxious and timid Grace Pudel, inspired loosely by Elliot’s own experiences.

As Grace narrates her life so far, following a huge change, she realizes all the twists and turns that have brought her here, and it sparks a newfound hope for the future. Despite overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges, Grace learns to remember what is important in life, and appreciate each day as a new opportunity. The film is the practical definition of bittersweet, and will have you laughing and crying but never bored or unfeeling. A beautiful and elaborate reflection of one woman’s journey, this film is an absolute winner in a quaint 90-minute package.

This is an excerpt from our November 28, 2024 newsletter. Love this recommendation? Discover more by subscribing to our newsletter here!