Last night's "it's 2:00 am and I can't sleep" watch was 'Snow White: A Tale of Terror' from 1997, starring Sigourney Weaver as the evil Queen (not really a Queen), Sam Neill in a very Sam Neill performance, and Monica Keena. It's a film I knew the existence of for quite some time, but I had never watched and didn't expect much of. But you know what? It was, all things considered, perfectly all right.
Was it a masterpiece? Not really. Did it have certain elements that make it an unmistakable product of the 90s? For sure. But it was also a solid attempt at creating a gritty, horror-themed twist to the Snow White tale that gave the Evil Queen (again, not really a Queen) more depth, multiple layers, and a (still condemnable) motive that went beyond merely being jealous of her stepdaughter's youth and beauty.
Having the mirror supernaturally possess and manipulate her, using a personal tragedy of hers to push her over the edge and drive her actions, was certainly an interesting choice that adds more substance to the character and the story, and Sigourney Weaver really sells it with her intense performance, that even earned her an Emmy nomination.
Making Snow White start as a less-than-perfect, slightly spoiled character, that experiences some growth as the movie progresses, admittedly also added more complexity to the plot. The main romance is also both fleshed-out and handle refreshingly well with the turn it takes.
Overall, it was a fun 90s attempt at retelling a classic fairy tale through a grown up, horror lens. The Poohniverse should be taking notes. Extra points because despite the film's multiple casualties, the dog does *not* die.
