Head-to-Head: Snow as Cinematic Magic

 

Bemoaning the lack of snow in London, up right now a few analysis of some of my favourite movie scenes set in the slushy wonders of it...(note: have not included scenes from films I may be covering in my next few blog posts)

1. The Ice Dance in 'Edward Scissorhands'

From https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYyCPwsdBNHaKuZqOAvmhkg, Copyright by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation and other respective production studios and distributors.

Edward Scissorhands is one of my all-time favourite films and this is a marvellous example of why. Technically speaking this scene is chock-full of inaccuracies and plot holes. Where'd he get all that ice from? Quite frankly though, I really couldn't care less as it presents perhaps the most perfect example of Tim Burton's excellence as a director (really hope he finds this sort of form again some time soon), and of course the beauty of Danny Elfman's score.

What I really love about this scene is the slow reveal. Winona Ryder's Kim slowly moving to the doorway, the camera lingering upon her expression as she first sees snow, then sees where it's coming from: the tender scissorhands of our titular protagonist. Everything about this scene works perfectly, from the composition of music to the soft seguing in and out of the expressions of Kim and Edward, and even how it ends on such a blunt jarring note, with Kim's asshole boyfriend Jim coming out of nowhere to ruin the duo's moment with Edward's icy angel: the closest thing to a personification of the devil in the film ruining this quietly moving moment.

2. The second 'Gondola no Uta' in Ikiru

https://niels85.wordpress.com/2011/10/03/best-moments-in-film-history-part-3-the-end-of-ikiru/

I couldn't find a proper version of this scene online but perhaps that's for the best, for to experience the true power of this scene requires you to experience Akira Kurosawa's masterpiece in all its entirety. Takashi Shimura's lead performance, in my opinion the second greatest of all of Kurosawa's film, helms this incredibly moving film about a dying office worker trying to find meaning in life beautifully, hitting each and every emotional beat of this man's journey, and the closing moments of his performance are magnificently handled both in terms of acting and direction. The snow here simply just adds to the beauty of the scene as (not to spoil too much) we find Shimura's Watanabe with just a blissful sense of contentment across his face, erasing away all the sadness that had been prevalent on it before, as the snow brushes across it. It's an incredible scene that is one of the highpoints of this criminally underseen drama. Here's the song for your ears only: not one of the most beautiful voices ever, but the way its rendered on film will certainly strike up the feelings within you:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXXBYqcYRUr5F1m0ZAKeX1A (this video contains both versions of the song; the first, and the last rendition of it in the film)

3. James Mason ambling alone in the snow in Odd Man Out

From Criterion

Quite possibly the most underrated of all Carol Reed's films, this thriller centering around an IRA agent on the run from the authorities in a tight-knit town is a terrific example of what any thriller should be like: suspenseful, but also humorous, thoughtful, and beautifully shot. Any scene which involves the physical degradation of Mason's Johnny as he trudges through the snow-ridden streets of his town is just a marvellous composition of all things great about this film.

4. Any great Coen Brothers film (almost)

neverfeltbetter.wordpress.com

http://www.scriptgodsmustdie.com

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbU0XnMRIOHNfumjUDpQNYg

moviemorlocks.com (not a great film but beautifully shot as always)


 

5. Kill Bill: YES, that scene.

Overall I prefer Volume 2 for its sheer complexity. But Volume 1 has this fantastic scene which is essentially the Spaghetti Western infused with swords and snow to make it all the more awesome. I don't know it they necessarily had to fight it out outdoors but why not, Tarantino knows his aesthetics.