“Remarkably Bright Creatures”
(USA)
Metacritic (6/10), Letterboxd (3/5), Imdb.com (6/10), TMDB.com (6/10), Imdb.com critics review
#BrentMarchant #RemarkablyBrightCreatures #Netflix #comedydrama #giantPacificoctopus #SallyField #LewisPullman #AlfredMolina #ColmMeaney #cleaninglady #aquarium #recluse #EmmyAward #Oscar #documentary #MyOctopusTeacher #interspeciescommunication #drifter #mentor
Recent research has indicated that the octopus is an unexpectedly intelligent creature. It’s surprising to many of us given the many significant differences between us and these beings. Considering our respective physical traits, living environments and other distinguishing qualities, we may well be tempted to think that we couldn’t possibly be on intellectual wavelengths comparable to one another. And there are unlikely to be many of us who feel any kind of affinity for one another, especially when it comes to inter-species communication. But don’t tell that to Tova Sullivan (Sally Field), a senior widow who works as a cleaning lady at the local aquarium where she’s best friends with the resident giant Pacific octopus, Marcellus (narrator for this story voiced by Alfred Molina). Tova has experienced her share of tragedies in life, events that have made her something of a recluse. She would like to start over, but she doesn’t quite know how, largely due to the long-suffering pain that holds her back. But that all changes when Marcellus intervenes in her life, returning a favor for help she once provided him. Because of an on-the-job accident, Tova is forced into taking a leave of absence from work. In the interim, her job is assumed by Cameron (Lewis Pullman), a thirty-something drifter newly arrived in town in need of earning some quick cash. But, given that Tova’s replacement has trouble settling into the new gig (and the fact that she can’t bring herself to stay away from her octopoid friend at the aquarium), she steps in as Cameron’s mentor to show him the ropes. Thus begins an unlikely friendship between the two in which they both help out one another in multiple ways. Cameron assists Tova in rejoining the world of the living, while Tova helps Cameron adjust to developments in his life that he didn’t see coming. And, through it all, Marcellus provides a running narrative offering his wry, snide, condescending observations about this two-legged species that he mostly just tolerates but begrudgingly acknowledges can also make for “remarkably bright creatures.” Writer-director Olivia Newman’s adaptation of the best-selling novel by Shelby Van Pelt explores the various heartwarming and heart-wrenching challenges its protagonists undergo in their lives and how to make the best of them. Much of it is more than a little bit predictable, occasionally sappy and sometimes silly but generally inoffensive, coming across as a better-than-average Hallmark Channel movie. Credit for this comes in large part from the picture’s superb casting, particularly Field’s Emmy Award-winning performance, as well as a fine supporting ensemble including Colm Meaney, Joan Chen, Kathy Baker and Beth Grant. The production’s cozy Pacific Northwest setting suits the story well, too, providing ample opportunity for gorgeous cinematography and a beautiful backdrop. However, despite these strengths, the narrative has a few too many story threads, some of which feel underdeveloped and others of which are so ancillary as to be almost irrelevant. Then there’s the role of the narrator, which, honestly, comes across more like a novelty plot device than an integral part of the narrative, despite his involvement in a few catalytic moments. In all, this combination of elements makes for a somewhat mixed bag in the end, which makes me wonder how this Netflix offering managed to snare the Emmy Award for outstanding made-for-TV movie (it’s good but not that good). Indeed, when it comes to films involving eight-legged beings, “Remarkably Bright Creatures” comes nowhere close to matching the excellent and insightful Oscar-winning documentary “My Octopus Teacher” (2020), and it isn’t likely to make it onto any of the year’s 10 Best lists. But this comedy-drama does qualify as modestly harmless feel-good entertainment, and there’s something to be said for that when there’s nothing else online worth streaming.