‘Snow Flower’ strays far from book

Ever had the feeling that you fell asleep and woke up in the wrong movie?

Those who’ve read Lisa See’s “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan,” a stately tale of two longtime female friends in rural 19th-century China, might feel that way during Wayne Wang’s movie version – precisely at the part where Hugh Jackman croons a tune into a microphone in a contemporary Shanghai nightclub.

Say what?

Yes, this “Snow Flower” bears little resemblance to the book, and even less resemblance to a good movie. A contemporary story has been grafted on, interspersed with the historic one, both involving two friends.

In long-ago Hunan county, Snow Flower (Gianna Jun, who also plays the contemporary Sophia) and Lily (Li Bing Bing, also cast as Nina) are matched as children as laotong – “old sames” – in a ceremonial lifetime emotional connection. We follow them through footbinding, marriage and family life, as they continue their bond by sending secret messages to each other on a silk fan.

Many generations later, in present-day Shanghai, Sophia and Nina’s friendship faces challenges because … sorry, I think I nodded off there; the contemporary subplot is very, very dull, despite the bracing effect of Jackman showing up for no particular reason.

The idea of double-casting the two actresses is an interesting one, but doesn’t make up for the unnecessary new plot. There’s plenty of story – and food for period-cinema eye candy – in the book; you wonder why the filmmakers looked elsewhere.

And why Jackman didn’t.