Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Unique Take on Drama

Remarkably Bright Creatures is an adaptation of the 2022 best selling novel of the same name written by Shelby Van Pelt. The film tells the story of Tova (Field), a widow on the verge of retirement, working as a cleaner in an aquarium, who forms an unlikely bond with the curmudgeonly Marcellus (Molina), a giant pacific octopus. Meanwhile, Cameron (Pullman) arrives to town in search of a father he’s never met. After getting a job at the aquarium, Cameron meets Tova, and the two form another unlikely bond where she agrees to help him track down his father. On the other hand, Marcellus embarks on a mysterious mission of his own to heal Tova’s heart and lead her to a life changing discovery that none of them are prepared for.

Blending comedy, family drama, mystery, tragedy, and a bit of fantasy, the film delivers a unique, one of a kind experience. At its core, it is a deeply relatable film about family, relationships, and the most unlikely of friendships. Similarly, it is certainly does not shy away from the harsh elements of reality, but it also finds a sweet tone, leaving audiences with a joyous feeling that can be felt throughout. Featuring a rather simple story, the inclusion of Marcellus the octopus, helps it to stand out from the pack. Employing the octopus in an effective way, having Marcellus serve as the film’s narrator, and mostly framing it from his perspective makes for a real breath of fresh air.

Now, it should come as much of a surprise that Field delivers one of her finest performances in a long time. She brings such a warmth and sweetness to Tova, while channeling her years of pain, she is an easy character to connect with. Pullman is as impressive as Cameron, as his chemistry with Field is lovely to watch over the course of the film. Molina, in his own right, offers up fun voice work as Marcellus, even if his lines are more through narration than through interactions with the other characters. Tova’s relationships with Cameron and Marcellus ultimately act as the heart of the film, and these are where the film draws its bigger emotional moments.

While the film may not quite be the next great book to film adaptation, it is not without flaws that could have been improved, give or take a few tweaks. Though its heart and emotion are definitely there, and appreciated, it occasionally veers into oversentimentality, schmaltz, and sappiness. Meanwhile, Cameron’s storyline fits nicely in the grand scheme of the film, but it is far too predictable. For the most part, its issues are more nitpicks than anything. Shot in a very flat, almost television like fashion, the film’s nearly 2-hour runtime would likely have benefitted from being slightly trimmed down.

When all is set and done, Remarkably Bright Creatures is an enjoyable and heartfelt watch that may not be a game changer, but is worth watching for its unique take on drama and its strong performances. Plus, how can anyone not want to watch a movie where  Alfred Molina lends his iconic voice to a talking octopus. In the end, those who enjoyed the original source material will find plenty to enjoy with this mostly faithful and respectful adaptation.

still courtesy of Netflix

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Connor Carey

www.connorsmoviereviews.com/