Bookended by two perfect touches, Three Women in A Box Films’ Director Melanie Mayron transforms the touching lesbian love story that is Snapshots, into what may be the ultimate chick flick for women of all sexual persuasions.
The first perfect touch for many of us is the casting of Piper Laurie as Rose, the grandmother hosting her daughter(Brooke Adams) and granddaughter (Emily Baldoni) at her lake retreat for a weekend getaway. Perpetually wide-eyed, and in many scenes sporting a broad brimmed sun protecting hat that seems a constant reminder of her frailty, Laurie gives her lines slowly in a way that lets them seep in more than plain speech.
Piper is the older Rose who has unexpectedly been given a long lost cache of photos from her illicit lesbian affair when she was a young married woman. The hot passions of young Rose (Shannon Collis) and her neighbor Louise (Emily Goss) may easily have gone to the grave with her, had not happenstance and a deep love for her troubled granddaughter, brought out this hidden past. This is a story of three generations of women finding authenticity beyond their bickering. It has a strong message to all, not just women or gays--- love whomever you please , and live your own life your way.
Snapshots is Not for the Homophobic
This is not a message or story that will have much appeal for the fundamentalists among us. ‘Tis a pity--- the lakefront and drives through the country cinematography alone makes this worthwhile.
By this reviewer’s lights, the second bookend touch fulfills a “save the best for the last” goal. This masterstroke is wrapping up the credits accompanied to an emotional rendition of I Only Want to Be With You. It may be a mixed blessing--go to YOUTUBE now and you too might find that it renders Dusty Springfield’s recording of the same song tinny sounding in comparison.
Cast:
Piper Laurie, Brooke Adams, Max Adler, Emily Baldoni, Brett Dier, Emily Goss, Shannon Collis, Cathy DeBuono.
About the Author: Amy Munice
Amy Munice is Editor-in-Chief and Co-Publisher of Picture This Post. She covers books, dance, film, theater, music, museums and travel. Prior to founding Picture This Post, Amy was a freelance writer and global PR specialist for decades—writing and ghostwriting thousands of articles and promotional communications on a wide range of technical and not-so-technical topics.
