Director / Tomas Alfredson (TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN)
Stars/ Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson, Charlotte Gainsbourg, J.K. Simmons, Jonas Karlsson and James D’Arcy

Best known globally for the excellent adaptation of his crime thriller novel HEADHUNTERS, Norwegian author Jo Nesbø’s THE SNOWMAN is the seventh novel from his Harry Hole detective book series and the first English-language movie adaptation of his writing works. Despite featuring a multicultural cast and being both set and shot in the Norwegian capital, a true sense of belonging to its homeland is the sacrificial giving for the prospective gain of a larger taking at the box office.

The very first feature film to bring Harry Hole (played by Michael Fassbender) to the big screen, THE SNOWMAN has detective Hole investigating the disappearance of a local woman where the only clue comes in the form of an ominous looking snowman that has the woman’s scarf wrapped around its neck. Harry, along with his new recruit, Katrine Bratt (Rebecca Ferguson), must follow several leads to uncover the abductors identity before it is too late.

Inspired by, and sitting in the same chilling ground as THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO trilogy, this crime drama/thriller ought to be just as tantalising to watch as the Swedish film trilogy. Instead, THE SNOWMAN self-defrosts right before our eyes as it melts into one of the most disappointing movies of 2017.

Beginning its frosty reception is a sluggish opening half that presents a scattershot build-up to the story’s most compelling piece – its mysterious disappearance. By way of character over-population who each selfishly need their own little sub-plot in an attempt to add further names to the suspects list, THE SNOWMAN only intermittently arouses the momentum required to truly draw viewers in. The second half of this no-thrills thriller does eventually shift its full focus to the case at hand, yet surprisingly THE SNOWMAN continues its thawing. The tedious curiosity placed onto viewer’s laps turns to total letdown once THE SNOWMAN reveals who its abductor is and what their motive was. It’s an easy-way-out type of conclusion that may be possible, but is thoughtless and will also prove a handful of characters and sub-plotting do nothing more than add padding to the languid screenplay and clunky directing.

A weighty film with an impact felt as softly as a snowflake.

2 stars

Viewer Discretion/ MA15+ (Strong Themes and violence)

Trailer / THE SNOWMAN

Moviedoc thanks Universal Pictures for the invite to the screening of this film.

Review by Moviedoc / “LIKE” on Facebook – Moviedoc

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