Review of Smilla's Sense of Snow (1997) by Kai82 — 19 Jan 2021

A unique movie experience and one of the best book adaptations I know. It is a thriller based on the book with the same name by Peter Hoeg. He is a great author and his books have fascinating characters that have quirks or are unique put in (positively) unconventional stories.

For clarification: That description sounds maybe to extreme. It is not at the far end of the spectrum (unique not strange or incomprehensible). The story starts with when a little boy falls from the snowy rooftop of a house and dies.

His reclusive neighbor Smilla Jaspersen who was befriended by him does not believe the explanation of the police as she has seen the footprints in the snow (She is Inuit and a scientist who is a specialist for snow and ice).

She wants to find out the truth and starts an investigation. While this sounds like a standard story it has twists and a unique reveal. The main appeal are the characters. Smilla Jasperson was unlike everything I expected in the movie (and book).

She is interesting, fascinating and a bit unpredictable. Julia Ormond did a great job and nailed the role. Gabriel Bryne is the mechanic who becomes an acquaintance or friend for Smilla and helps her.

They have a unique relationship in both the book and movie. I think describing some other characters goes to much into spoiler territory but I praise the Richard Harris as Dr. Tork. Clipper Miano as Isaiah (good child-actors should always be praised), Mario Adorf as Captain Sigismund and Robert Loggia as Moritz Jasperson (Smillas father).

The cast delivers and I think they have great actors here. The characterizations and relations are well done. There are a some side arcs that are better or more described in the books like Smillas relationship with her father and being an Inuit transferred to another society that is more than unfamiliar.

I think however it is a great adaptation. For clarification again: The book had more backstory, a few side arcs and more insight in the characters. However even hard core readers will admit that not everything can be transferred from a book to a movie.

Watch for example Dune from 1984 were they tried to show inner monologues / thoughts by zooming in on the faces and tell the thoughts with the characters voices. It is not working or disturbing. Back to the movie.

Parts of the movie are about ice and snow. It uses that and you learn a bit about the science behind it. The visuals are also around the theme of ice, snow and winter. It creates a fitting atmosphere.

Lastly I think I should praise producer Bernd Eichinger and Director Billie August for making this movie. They made an adaptation that is true to the book and did not try to transform the uniqueness into mainstream appeal.

Overall this was a unique experience. It was so good that I bought the book (Did neither know the author or book before) and still praise the adaption after reading it. A recommendation if you want something more unique with great characters outside regular paths (Applies to both book and movie).