Snapshot (1980)

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

A different way of telling a story

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Naive, sweet, and innocent 19-year-old hairdresser Angela (a sound and appealing performance by fetching brunette Sigrid Thornton) gets tossed out of her uptight mother's house and falls in with the eccentric modeling crowd. Angela does some modeling and soon finds herself being stalked by a mysterious psycho who drives an ice-cream truck. Director Simon Wincer, working from a quirky and intriguing script by Chris and Everett De Roche, relates the compelling story at a steady pace, offers an interesting glimpse at the glamorous, but decadent and exploitative high fashion world, populates the picture with an enjoyable wealth of colorfully flaky characters, builds a good deal of tension, grounds the plot in a totally plausible everyday reality, and further spices things up with several cool touches of amusing oddball humor. Moreover, the capable acting from the professional cast holds the picture together: The stunning Chantal Contouri delivers a sharp and winning portrayal of Angela's poised, worldly, and supportive mentor Madeline, Hugh Keys-Bryne almost steals the whole show with his lively and merry turn as amiable kook photographer Linsey, Robert Bruning positively oozes as smarmy creep Elmer, and Vincent Gil projects an appropriately unnerving vibe as Angela's obsessive ex-boyfriend Daryl. The true identity of Angela's main stalker is a genuine surprise. Vincent Morton's handsome widescreen cinematography gives the movie an impressive glossy look and makes nifty occasional use of freeze frames. Brian May supplies an alternately funky and classy varied score. Worth a watch.

I imagine that the Americans and Canadians who went to see this Australian movie in theaters in the 70s felt ripped off. For starters, it was retitled "The Day Before Halloween", yet it has NOTHING to do with the John Carpenter movie of 1978. The only similarity it has is with some of the piano music, which sort of sounds like Carpenter's score at times. But even if the movie had been released over here under its original name, viewers would have felt ripped off. For large chunks of the movie, absolutely NOTHING of consequence happens. All that you'll get out of the movie is that the modelling business can be a cold and cutthroat experience, something I think that any viewer would know already. The trivia section for this movie says that the script was written in ten days. It shows.

"Snapshot" is one of those odd and different kind of films that show a side of the world that is uncommon, and within this film that is the world of a young fashion model. During this showcase of a different world the film blends well as a comedy and drama spoof. This is the type of movie you view late night on TCM's underground in which I did. Anyway overall for a late 70's independent low budget film it wasn't bad as it entertained.Set in an international country I believe Australia it involves Angie a young girl who's unhappy she works as a local hairdresser. Yet upon meeting a fashion model Angie is convinced she will give the fashion world a try. And against her mother's wishes she moves out and gets ready to travel the world. Soon Angie sees snapshots of sunny sand beaches, all night dance parties, topless shots and also plenty of alcohol and drugs.Also the downside of the job is the struggle with weight and depression most alarming is the many perverts and creeps she will encounter. As the mystery and suspense arrives in this film when a strange and mysterious stalker arrives. Overall pretty good B film to watch one late night to pass the time, a pretty good take on the highs and lows of the fashion model world.

I agree with the posters who liked Snap Shot, and I appreciate some of the things they pointed out. In fact, it might deserve more than six stars, but I'd have to see it again sometime and decide more if comparisons to some of the depth of Mulholland Dr. hold water.I chanced upon it on TCM cable channel, not knowing anything much in advance. It's not a horror or slasher flick, and it's neither terrifying (well, maybe the little sister...) nor exactly campy/fun. And bad pan-and-scan movement got distracting toward the end of the movie. That seemed strange because the image didn't fill the TV screen anyway, yet clearly there was still a bunch of frame missing.Call it a bracing slice-of-(weird)-life coming-of-age melodrama with horror aspects. Don't expect a great film and don't expect an exciting film, but you'll find an interesting film with truly odd characters and touches and a sort of jauntily grim look at one young woman's options.A reviewer mentioned that Thornton, the actress playing the central character, is like a cross between Elizabeth McGovern and Jennifer Jason Leigh. I didn't consciously notice that while watching, but seeing it pointed out, it's quite right. And JJL is one of my favorite actresses.