There is really something quite magical about Never Gonna Snow Again, the newest feature from prolific Polish auteur Malgorzata Szumowska (The Other Lamb), who co-directs with her creative partner Michal Englert. This is not just a throwaway term – in this unlikely adult fairytale it helps to leave cynicism at the door. Nothing is ever as straightforward and explained as you wish it to be; this tale of a massage therapist who uses his hands to heal his clients in various ways can be viewed through a mystical lens if you allow yourself the possibility. If you are able to disassociate from the part of your brain that needs to solve this cryptic tale, you will be able to tap into something deeper and hauntingly transcendent. In this latest script, the duo deftly weave in social satire into a fantastical conceit that is rich in mood and striking imagery and unconcerned with concrete answers.
The opening of the tale showers the audience with striking feats of cinematography which introduces the slightest bit of absurdity to set the stage for what is to come. We first see the imposing young Zhenia (Alec Utgoff, Stranger Things) as he emerges from the woods and enters into a modern Poland. At the Warsaw immigration office, he explains his plans to live and work in Poland, which feels almost like a courtesy on his behalf as he takes the head of the immigration officer into his hands and puts him into a trance before stamping his own papers and disappearing into the world. Enough time passes that we soon find him entering a gated residential estate on the suburban outskirts of Warsaw with his hefty massage table hanging over his shoulder. He has already established a steady client base within this community; the people within these walls may have money, but the only time they seem to experience any happiness is when Zhenia makes his rounds. The young man seems to be acting as a therapist just as much as he is working out their bodies.
The young masseuse gets a front row seat to the various unhappy situations and domestic squabbles that hang in the air. Drunken housewife Maria (Maja Ostaszewska) welcomes the distraction from her overbearing young daughter and distant husband who goes out quite a bit for “exercise.” She is comfortable enough to flit around topless in front of Zhenia when her daughter beckons, an action that does not seem to phase him. Cancer-stricken family man (Lukasz Simlat) and his wife (Weronika Rosati) bounce ideas of experimental remedies off him as an act of desperation. Agitated widow Ewa (Agata Kulesza) attempts to prod him to reach some sort of deeper insight, but in the end she seems desperate to cling to him when she is not self-medicating with the help of her drug-manufacturing son. Each house is perfectly manicured with a unique classical tune tied to their doorbell, but the pristine exterior does not match what is going on inside. There are moments where his clients slip up with a derogatory comment about his lower class status, but their desperation for him outweighs their snobbishness.
Less clear is exactly how Zhenia feels about his clients. Utgoff looms large physically within the frame, but his emotional demeanor positions him more aloof and detached. There is a curiosity in his eyes as he takes in the various scenes playing out right in front of him. In the end, it is clear he does want to help them. The power he wields over them, to seemingly siphon out what ails them either through physical touch or more magical means is astounding. With a simple click of his fingers he can knock a person out, but the power is never perceived to be threatening. We do not learn a lot about Zhenia and his background outside of knowing he grew up near Chernobyl along with a few key flashbacks to his childhood. Are we to believe it when we see him moving a glass just by looking at it? What we know is that his mere presence brings a much needed calm to the residents. While not a Christian-allegory in the traditional sense, Zhenia presents with numerous parallel tendencies that make him just as magical but more inscrutable.
The creative work from Szumowska in this feature is some of her finest to date. The way in which she times her cuts is very deliberate; she sustains a shot long enough to fully gather the majesty of the moment, but she does not hold it so long as to break with the traditional pacing that mainstream audiences could appreciate. With each client serving as a vignette satisfying in their own arc, the film culminates to a truly splendid finale which will dazzle those who fall into the gentle rhythms of the story. There are numerous questions left to debate once the credits start rolling, but emotionally you will feel full. For just a moment, any fears you have in your life might abate for a spell. It might not be a permanent solution, but by spending time with this magical young man you might be able to get to the next day a little easier.
Video Quality
Never Gonna Snow Again comes to Blu-Ray in an AVC encoded transfer in 2.35:1 courtesy of Kino Lorber featuring stunning cinematography from Michal Englert. This presentation is quite gorgeous and offers a stable image quality throughout. The visual majesty of the film translates well on disc with most shots looking stable and breathtaking. Englert captures some awe-inspiring imagery that really pops in high definition. Not only do the textural details render cleanly, but specific pops of color leap off the screen. There is no evidence of compression artifacts or other digital nuisances outside a very minor bit in the darkest sections of the neighborhood. Skin tones look natural throughout the runtime. I do not see how this disc could have been improved significantly without a 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc. It’s a real beauty as is.
Audio Quality
The Blu-Ray disc comes with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track in its original mixture of Polish, Russian and various other languages that conjures a very whimsical mood that transports you into this story. This is a very subdued film, but the track does come alive with the environmental sounds. They create a really nice soundscape of brisk wind and noises from the various animals. This is not an action-heavy film so the activity in the low end is very sparse, but a few moments provide some extra texture to the track. The wonderful music is showcased beautifully here with a gently enveloping use of the surround speakers. The dialogue comes through crystal clear without ever being overpowered by the environmental effects or the score. The sound design is precisely thought-out with all of the sounds positioned just right in the mix. This is a lovely sounding release that brings the movie to life in a really gorgeous way.
Special Features
- Trailer: The two-minute trailer is provided here for Never Gonna Snow Again.
Final Thoughts
Never Gonna Snow Again is a tale of compassion and wonder that functions almost as a balm for the soul. This adult fairy tale does not take it easy on the wealthy elitists who live in gated communities, but the film never veers into anything mean-spirited. The film never fails to accompany the drama of the narrative with a healthy dose of levity and positivity. Despite the lack of clear-cut answers at the end of the day, this film will leave you on an emotional high. Kino Lorber has released a Blu-Ray featuring a stellar A/V presentation but next to nothing in the way of special features. Highly Recommended
Never Gonna Snow Again will be available to purchase on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital on September 28, 2021.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Kino Lorber has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
