Perfectly dark and enchanting, Snow White and the Huntsman presents a mature take on the classic fairy tale, by returning to the original Grimm's tale with themes of sexuality and entrapment.
A beautiful woman tricks her way into power with a phantom army, murdering the King and entrapping his daughter, Snow White. Her poisonous reign enslaves the kingdom in darkness and death. When she learns that Snow White's pure heart will allows her to achieve eternal beauty, she commands a huntsman to capture the girl who has fled her clutches. The huntsman, however, defies her and is swept into a rebellion with the young princess against the Queen's reign.
Stunningly beautiful and deadly, Charlize Theron is perfectly cast as the wicked Queen Ravenna, visually drawing a contrast against Snow White. Entrapped by her status as a woman, Ravenna is emancipated through dark magic and the manipulation of beauty. The audience are enticed to engage with her as more than a mere villain, but as a woman constructed through sorrow and circumstance. Her great insecurity is exposed in her calling of the mirror, which she indulges in to mask her suffering. The physicality of the mirror as a figment of her imagination adds to the unsettling and sinister tones of her character. She is thus at her most dangerous when her voice is soft, exposing the vulnerability, and subsequently desperation, of her character. The Queen's beauty, which allows her to manipulate men and accomplish power, poses a potent symbol of corruption and strength.
Kristin Stewart at first won my reservations and mixed feelings in her portrayal of Snow White. At times she perfectly portrayed a classically beautiful and courageous princess, at other moments she was clouded by her iconic sullen teenager countenance. She successfully captured the sorrow of her character and was most evocative in moments of silence, but disappointingly was unable to effectively portray true grief. However, by the end she delivered a reasonably strong performance as a tortured princess who draws strength from her purity and courage.
The Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth), a physically strong character, was surprisingly vulnerable. Haunted by heartbreak, he flits between charm and uncertainty, producing a man that is at once confident and lost. It was refreshing to also see the Prince, William, in a role that expands beyond a fleeting romantic endeavour. William is a character consumed by guilt, who is driven to passionately pursue the ghosts of his childhood. Sam Claflin plays him with grace and dashing heroism, despite continuously facing the threat of being overshadowed by the new, titular male protagonist. The dwarves, similarly, have a less pronounced but equally engaging role. Depicted as a band of gritty, stalwartly and likeable rogues, they are led by a cast that include Ian McShane, Ray Winstone and Bob Hoskins.
Told in a beautiful and rich landscape, from dark forests to floating lakeside villages, the production design is perfection, drawing audiences into a truly divine world. This is adorned by the fitting choice of British accents, beautiful costumes and stunning cinematography, which draws on a vivid use of black and white. The unfortunate scandal surrounding the film, however, will tragically prohibit the satisfying sequel that is desired, leaving the film to end on a flicker of romantic ambiguity.
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