I also felt that the love story between Ishmael Chambers (Ethan Hawke) and Hatsue Miyamoto (Youki Kudoh) felt flat and somewhat boring. It can all be very confusing because everything becomes fractured, things aren't all quite clear and one has to sometimes double back to make sure they have an understanding of the plot.

Hank Corwin is my fav film editor and here he cuts the story back and fourth through flashbacks giving it a non-linear vibe. One of the problems I think a lot of had while watching this picture is through the editing. One it is about the murder of a fisherman that affects a community (reminiscent to Atom Egoyan's 'The Sweet Hereafter') and two it is about a simple love story between a Japanese American girl and a Caucasian boy. As for the story, well that seems to be the problem.'Snow Falling On Cedars' is about two stories. The dark shadows, the fog, the beautiful wintery snow, the slow motions, the deep photography is really captivating. Robert Richardson without a doubt stands alone as the greatest cinematographer of our time. First off the picture is simply beautiful. Rating: PG-13 (Sensuality|Disturbing Images|Brief Strong Language) For one man has lost his life, and another -a childhood friend- has been charged with taking it. By morning, sea and sky are clear, but the tranquil village of fisherman and berry farmers will forever be changed. On the bay, a flickering lantern signals distress from a crippled fishing boat, while elsewhere a freighter lurches blindly through the chalky mist. Fog as thick and palpable as cotton hangs suspended over San Piedro Island.

Snow falling on cedars book review