- REMARKEDLY BRIGHT CREATURES
- Starring: Sally Field, Coln Meany and Lewis Pullman
- Directed by: Olivia Newman
- Rated: PG 13
- Running time: 1 hr 51 mins
- NETFLIX
Our score: 4 out of 5
I don’t know what it is about the Octopus. Beautiful creatures that rather swim along then bother people. Ringo Starr knows what I’m talking about. So does the new film, “Remarkedly Bright Creatures,” which is narrated by an octopus named Marcellus.
Tova (Field) spends her nights alone, cleaning the local aquarium. It’s a boring job but it gives her quiet time to think. When not scraping gum off the floor, she is constantly tracking down Marcellus, an octopus who has found a way to get out of his tank and explore the dark corners of the museum. Though she hasn’t told her friends, Tova is considering selling her home and moving to a retirement community.
Cameron (Pullman) is a musician on the road. When his van breaks down he finds himself needing a job to pay for the repairs. The town mechanic (Meany) suggest the museum and soon Cameron finds himself being trained by Tova, who insists that things be done the right way. No shortcuts. Both Tova and Cameron are dealing with personal tragedies and as their story intertwines they discover more about each other then either one knew was possible.
Full of charm, “Remarkedly Bright Creatures” is a film about life, loss and the power of love. Field must deal daily with the whispers of townspeople who gossip about her loss while Cameron, a young man with low self-esteem, finds himself kicked out of his band, really the only family he has. Like Tova, Cameron shares his thoughts with Marcellus, who turns out to be a great listener! Like the title character in “My Octopus Teacher,” we are drawn to Marcellus and upset him as a true member of the cast. The scrip, by director Newman, John Whittington and Shelby van Pelt, is sharp and captures the small town feel necessary to embrace the story. Field is her usual strong/spunky self, making you imagine what Norma Rae would have been like in her later years. Pullman, the son of Bill, plays well off of Field, giving the two a genuine friendly chemistry. And I must give kudos to Alfred Molina, who provides the “voice” of Marcellus. He handles each moment beautifully, making what could have been standard narration come alive.
On a scale of zero to five, “Remarkedly Bright Creatures” receives ★★★★