Shnoof is presented as a very common short film genre - the documentary profile piece. In such films the interest usually comes from the characters rather than the subject, or from things around the edges. So it is with Snoof, where a couple are inventing their own language, but the words they use most often, and small asides they make, all suggest that their efforts are more about filling a void than creating a new tongue. In its approach, and in its theme of the empty nest, the film is engaging and commendable, which is why it hurt me to see it overdo what should have been done with a much defter touch.
As a shot at aping the profile documentary genre, it lands perfectly, and benefits from two performances which are natural and likeable. They provide the feeling of a life that is normal but yet odd, which is what most profile documentaries do, and it is a shame that the script leans into the "empty nest" aspect a bit too much. A particular example is the discussion of words for snow, and what the character then links to - it feels too convenient and obvious, detracting from how natural they feel as people otherwise. Despite this though, the film is quite touching and engaging, even if it is a bit heavy-handed in a few moments.
As a shot at aping the profile documentary genre, it lands perfectly, and benefits from two performances which are natural and likeable. They provide the feeling of a life that is normal but yet odd, which is what most profile documentaries do, and it is a shame that the script leans into the "empty nest" aspect a bit too much. A particular example is the discussion of words for snow, and what the character then links to - it feels too convenient and obvious, detracting from how natural they feel as people otherwise. Despite this though, the film is quite touching and engaging, even if it is a bit heavy-handed in a few moments.
