An interesting interpretation of the fairy tale

Film review: Snow White and the Huntsman

MANILA, Philippines - People will argue about whether this is revisionist fairy tale telling on film, or an attempt to go back to the real feel and texture of fairy tales as they were originally written. What we can agree on is that this version of the Snow White story is far as it gets from the Disney treatment we’ve grown accustomed to. As directed by Rupert Sanders, we can even point to films such as Lord of the Rings, and HBO’s Game of Thrones, for allowing this treatment of the medieval tale to get the studio’s green light.

Starring Kristen Stewart as Snow White, Chris Hemsworth as Norse god-turned-Huntsman, and Charlize Theron as the Evil Queen, you first have to commend the screenplay for giving depth and added dimensions to these main characters. Snow is no cookie cutter Princess. She evolves into a warrior princess of steely resolve, eager to grasp her destiny. The Huntsman carries his own private hell, grieving over the death of his wife and conflicted initially over coming to the aid of Snow White. And there’s the wonderful ambiguity we’ll feel for the Evil Queen, as Theron makes hay over the curse/spell she lives under, and how the heinous crimes she commits also have to do with her surviving, and staying alive.

From what I could gather, this is Sanders’ first directorial job, and he’s obviously done his homework, admiring the work of the best and brightest of directors. Even in the bleak, muddy, true to form medieval setting, he manages to inject stark color and lush imagery. It is a visual feast, none more so than when Snow and the Huntsman encounter the seven dwarves and are brought to the enchanted forest inhabited by fairies. While they do provide some humor, the dwarves are also imbued with gravitas, exiled warriors and miners who still pledge allegiance to Snow White’s murdered father/King.

There’s one sappy moment at the very last frame of the film, which offers promise of a sequel. And if this first installment is indicative of the smart mélange of imaginative cinematography, complex characters and gritty story-telling, then I’ll forgive that moment, and look forward to a film that relays the reign of Snow White, and her quest for true love — a triangle in the offering, as besides the Huntsman, there’s her childhood playmate, William. This is a far more interesting interpretation of the Snow White tale than the “played for sit-com laughs” Mirror, Mirror we got earlier this year.