The Last Great Snail Chase

New Zealand’s capital of culture churns out more creative produce, this time on a more modest scale than any of Peter Jackson’s Wellywood escapades. It’s a story about the messy lives of a group of almost-adults, enlivened by a familiar setting and creative use of special effects.

The story itself is a loose mosaic of interconnected vignettes that play out like a mix tape. While this means the greater narrative arch can meander, it also allows for some interesting observations about the nature of politics, art and personal identity. Furthermore, it frees up first time director Edward Lynden-Bell to use leftfield concepts like mini films within the film and other radical structural concepts. Combined with visual effects that work as both story components and attractive transitions, it’s obvious that Lynden-Bell is blessed with a highly original imagination.

Sally Martin, as Josie, is the star every time she’s on screen. Others in the cast seem a little green and can’t always pull off the mix of deadpan humour and subtle emotion that some scenes call for. The biggest drawback is the small budget. If given more opportunities, you can easily see this being the start of something big for a lot of those involved.

By Andreas Heinemann, Flicks.co.nz