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Snow Falling on Cedars

Play trailer Poster for Snow Falling on Cedars PG-13 Released Sep 12, 1999 2h 6m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
39% Tomatometer 92 Reviews 67% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Fog as thick and palpable as cotton hangs suspended over San Piedro Island. On the bay, a flickering lantern signals distress from a crippled fishing boat, while elsewhere a freighter lurches blindly through the chalky mist. By morning, sea and sky are clear, but the tranquil village of fisherman and berry farmers will forever be changed. For one man has lost his life, and another -a childhood friend- has been charged with taking it. An investigation is launched. The trial begins.
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Snow Falling on Cedars

Snow Falling on Cedars

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Critics Consensus

Though Snow Falling on Cedars is beautiful to look at, critics say the story becomes dull and tedious to sit through.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media Good movie for adults and older teens. Rated: 3/5 Dec 28, 2010 Full Review Globe and Mail Rated: 2.5/4 Mar 22, 2002 Full Review Ben Falk BBC.com Rated: 3/5 Apr 17, 2001 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy One big chill. The only thing that moves with any purpose in this picture is the weather. Rated: 1.5/4 Nov 10, 2019 Full Review Burl Burlingame Honolulu Star-Advertiser Shot either in extreme, eye-swelling close-ups or in excessively composed, arty landscapes, I now know more about the blood vessels in these actors' noses than I care to. Rated: 1.5/4 Jul 5, 2011 Full Review Jeffrey Overstreet Looking Closer ... it powerfully re-creates the history, captures the essence of Guterson's characters, and carries us through hypnotized by breathtaking cinematography. Rated: B+ Dec 6, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Michael O This movie has the cinematography of an indie movie, but I was surprised it was a Kennedy/Marshall flick. All star lineup. Court drama plus murder mystery. Incredible. I keep coming back to watch it every few years and it always holds up. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/02/23 Full Review Steve D Too long but has a number of powerful moments. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a very average film. The subject matter is interesting. The title is kind of odd for a movie about a Japanese-American wrongfully accused of murder. I honestly had no idea what this movie was about until I watched it today. Nothing from any of the actors stand out. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Really interesting as far as the era and plot set up / but drudges through towards the end. Hawke plays a one armed journalist that's in love with the accused's wife --- and he plays it well. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Not sure what the critics didn't like. This was a thoughtful and powerful movie that had strong themes and characters who grow and change all anchored in a courtroom drama that grounded the sweeping emotional aspects with the facts and evidence of a murder trial. I liked the screenplay, cinematography, music and ensemble cast. Whoever did the storyboard did great as a lot of backstory was conveyed, almost like visual haiku, in short evocative clips without dialogue. Unlike a lot of escapist action movies, Snow Falling on Cedars is actually about something and it will leave you pondering its artistry and its themes when its over. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member My standard-bearer for worst movie ever. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Snow Falling on Cedars

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Cast & Crew

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Scott Hicks

Director

Ethan Hawke

Ishmael Chambers

James Cromwell

Judge Fielding

Richard Jenkins

Sheriff Art Moran

James Rebhorn

Alvin Hooks

Sam Shepard

Arthur Chambers

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Snow Falling on Cedars

Snow Falling on Cedars (1999) Snow Falling on Cedars (1999) Snow Falling on Cedars (1999) Snow Falling on Cedars (1999) Max Von Sydow and Rick Yune in Universal's Snow Falling On Cedars Youki Kudoh as Hatsue Miyamoto in Universal's Snow Falling On Cedars View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Fog as thick and palpable as cotton hangs suspended over San Piedro Island. On the bay, a flickering lantern signals distress from a crippled fishing boat, while elsewhere a freighter lurches blindly through the chalky mist. By morning, sea and sky are clear, but the tranquil village of fisherman and berry farmers will forever be changed. For one man has lost his life, and another -a childhood friend- has been charged with taking it. An investigation is launched. The trial begins.
Director
Scott Hicks
Producer
Ronald Bass, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Harry J. Ufland
Screenwriter
Scott Hicks, David Guterson, Ronald Bass
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal Pictures, Kennedy/Marshall
Rating
PG-13 (Sensuality|Disturbing Images|Brief Strong Language)
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 12, 1999, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$14.4M
Runtime
2h 6m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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