Snow Cake

We meet Alex (Alan Rickman) when a young, flighty woman named Vivienne (Emily Hampshire) talks him up in a cafe in northern Canada, hoping to get a ride to Wawa, her home. Even though Alex doesn't want any company, for some reason he finds himself giving her a ride. An accident occurs, and Vivienne is killed in his car. He proceeds to Wawa to explain the situation to her mother, and finds himself embroiled in the whole town's business.

I wouldn't call Snow Cake "delightful," but the movement never falters and there's a lot to learn about Alex, in particular, but also Vivienne's mother (Sigourney Weaver) who, as it turns out, is autistic and doesn't react the same way you or I would to devastating news. With Rickman's witty way with a sarcastic remark, we are never bored, and Weaver and the script find new ways to enchant us. A good assist by Carrie-Anne Moss, who is still unfailingly beautiful, as the neighbor helps the story along.

It's a bit ponderous, heavy on the emotion, but a good independent film bolstered by a strong cast. Thumb's up.