Never Gonna Snow Again (2020 | Poland | 113 mins | Malgorzata Szumowska & Michal Englert)
The scene is set in a small gated community with perfectly manicured lawns, lavishly decorated living rooms and constantly roaming security guards on Segways. A young man, Zhenia (Alec Utgoff), convinces the powers that be that he should get a pass to work as a masseur within the high walls. From that moment on, we are transported between the run-down neighborhood where he sleeps and the well-to-do district mere kilometers away as he begins to build a routine and lucrative practice. Fraught with come-ons from bored house wives and clingy patients, he becomes more and more entangled in the lives of those he works with.
Zhenia seems to cast a spell over his clients. First by simply showing a bit of kindness, empathy and healing to the soul-starved; but as we are swept along the story he takes on a more mystical aura with seeming telekinetic feats and highly effective hypnosis. All the while evidence of his humanity spill out before us in small snippets like a midnight Segway joyride with a night watchman or giving in to the desires of a grieving widow. By the time the film ends, we’re left wondering whether he was an apparition or if we all (both on the screen and off) just wish he were.
Subtle hints throughout the film discuss the effect of climate change and the rich community members seem to be completely oblivious (metaphorically pointing a finger at the well-to-do that could actually do something). The most obvious nod to our failing Earth is that of Zhenia’s hometown which happens to be on the outskirts of Chernobyl. You’re led to believe his special talents may be thanks to his proximity to the catastrophe there during childhood, and while his clients find this charming, I felt it convoluted the story a bit. Yes, it was a catalyst for the undercurrent of environmental activism, but it should have been a bit less subtle and a bigger part of the picture. At times the eco-warrior thread was lost and I had a hard time picking it back up again. It was possible to completely forget about that (supposedly critical) aspect of the film and instead simply fall for the enchanting lead.
To be honest, at times it was hard to follow the plot even from the beginning. Everything was subtle. It was beautifully shot, and several of the “magical” moments were stunning and intriguing but I could have done with a little less metaphor. That being said Utgoff was engrossing and the rest of the cast wasn’t too shabby either with their expertly performed smarmy, disposable lifestyle thirsty for something more substantial. If you love enchanting independent films that are most likely awards season fodder, then this one will be well worth your time.
Never Gonna Snow Again currently in select and virtual theaters, soon to open nationwide.