Snow Falling on Cedars review

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SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS

The past has a nasty habit of catching up with us when we least expect it: little white lies which seemed harmless can have devastating, sometimes life-altering repercussions; and secret infatuations which came to naught at the time can return to haunt us many years later.

The island of San Pedro in the Pacific Northwest has its own fair share of skeletons in the historical closet. The Anglo and Japanese-American population has lived in relative harmony for many years, but few are able to forget the outrage following the bombing of Pearl Harbour in the Second World War which divided the community and resulted in the immediate exile of hundreds of Japanese-American families.

Ishmael Chambers (Ethan Hawke) remembers that terrible time all too well. Firstly, he was separated from his childhood sweetheart, Hatsue Miyamoto (Youki Kudoh), with whom he shared many intimate moments in the island's forest. And then, whilst serving in the US military, he lost an arm during a skirmish between American and Japanese troops.

Now, nine years after their separation, the young lovers meet again at the trial of Matsue's fisherman husband Kazuo (Rick Yune), accused of murdering American neighbour Carl Heine (Eric Thal) who had agreed to sell Kazuo some land, and then relented on the offer.

The evidence against Kazuo is circumstantial and inconclusive, giving the lawyer for the defence, Nels Gudmundsson (Max von Sydow) hope of a resounding acquittal. Unfortunately, the prevailing climate of paranoia and suspicion towards the Japanese-Americans, could bias the jury towards aguilty verdict.

Watching the trial unfold from the public gallery, Ishmael - now the island's crusading journalist - realises that Nels's legal acumen might not be enough to save Kazuo and so he begins his own investigation to uncover the truth behind what happened that fateful, fog-laden night.

David Guterson's bestselling novel was an elegant and at times heart-rending read by virtue of its vivid descriptions of San Pedro and the doomed love affair between Ishmael and Matsue, intensified by Ishmael's divided emotions during the court case.

Director Scott Hicks and cinematographer Robert Richardson have spared no expense on the vast canvas for their film, drawing out the rich textures and colours of the locales.