Director Michael Davis comes out of practically nowhere with this kinetic slam-bam-thank-you-ma’am ode to all things capable of shooting—machine guns, pistols, .38 specials, Clive Owen.  It’s inevitable that a movie this trigger-happy shoots itself in the foot.  Mr. Smith (Owen) is a down-and-out sort who likes to right any wrong that crosses his path, so he can’t help but get involved when he runs into a pregnant woman in danger. Luckily Mr. Smith has a knack for both midwifery and sharpshooting, and before he knows it, he and the newborn are on the run from the evil Hertz (Paul Giamatti). Helping him out is comely prostitute Monica Bellucci , and between her and Owen, there’s enough eye candy for everybody.

The operatic violence is weaved into a ludicrous plot explaining why Hertz wants to kill the wee one (a plot way too complicated for a movie called Shoot ‘Em Up). Bellucci and Owen are saddled with expository dialogue and stupid one-liners that, with lesser actors, would be unbearable. It’s clear Davis wants to go campy with his B-movie asides, but they come off as so much moldy cheese. He’s clearly never met a cliché he didn’t like, and that takes the edge off what could have been a very hip flick.

Alex Hughes (Alan Rickman), an ex-convict, is on a road trip to Winnipeg to see an old friend. Along the way, he meets the annoying, but vivacious, Vivienne Freeman who manages to bum a ride with him.  Just as he begins to warm to this eccentric girl, Alex’s vehicle is in a serious automobile accident that kills Vivienne. After his meeting with the police, Alex decides to speak with Vivienne’s mother. Upon arrival at her home, Alex discovers that the mother, Linda (Sigourney Weaver), is a barely functional autistic who convinces him to stay long to take out the garbage the day after the funeral he agrees to arrange. In those few days, Alex discovers new friends and learns more about the uniqueness of Linda even as he struggles to come to terms with his own grief.

Snow Cake is the sort of film you watch and allow yourself to get wrapped up in. It is an emotional journey with powerful acting and many, many effective scenes – effective because they’re well shot and thought through but effective because they make you feel during the film. Really well written, really well directed and really well acted by Weaver and Rickman as the two leads – memorable film.  I am also a sucker for an adorable dog.

I give it 3 kleenex, but it is worth it.