Sally Field supplies most of ‘Creature’s’ comforts
If you’re looking for octopi to occupy your time, you could do a lot worse than “Remarkably Bright Creatures.” After all, the Netflix feature features one of Sally Field’s finest performances, refuting the old showbiz adage of never acting opposite a critter, especially a sage cephalopod sporting the snazzy moniker Marcellus.
He’s voiced to perfection by a dignified Alfred Molina, sounding very much like the voice of God during his nightly chats with Field’s widowed Tova Sullivan, the septuagenarian cleaning lady trapped with him inside the Sowell Bay Aquarium. Both are nearing the end of their time on Earth, a fact of life they appear most accepting of as they plod through their rote existences, one yearning to return to his long-lost ocean home and the other burdened by the lingering guilt from a decades-old tragedy.
These two could really use a shakeup. And right on cue, down-on-his-luck, wannabe rock star Cameron Cassmore (Lewis Pullman) arrives on the scene, jobless, penniless, and in desperate need of a shoulder to cry on. And he learns in time that there’s none better than Tova’s. It’s a fraught relationship, to be sure. They bicker a lot, but it’s only because each is determined to light a fire under the other.
It’s hopelessly cliched, I know. But Field and Pullman generate so much chemistry that you don’t really care. Both are great at revealing the humanity in their characters and projecting it brilliantly onto the screen. Heck, you barely even notice the 50-odd-year age gap. These two belong together! Platonically, of course. What did you expect: “Harold and Maude”?
Fans of Shelby Van Pelt’s best-selling novel know Tova and Cameron share a deep and personal relationship with the meditative mollusk Marcellus, a sort of high priest of the deep, eager to impart his depth of knowledge. All of it gained through watching and studying the myriad humans who’ve come to gawk at him over his more than 2,400 days of captivity. And, frankly, he’s sick of it. Like Steve McQueen in “The Great Escape,” he lives for the opportunity to flee his cell and return to his rightful home at the bottom of the sea. But not before steering Tova and Cameron onto the right path to salvation.
It’s as corny – and sweet – as it sounds. And director Olivia Newman (“Where the Crawdads Sing”) unashamedly exploits it for maximum tear-duct activation. In adapting Van Pelt’s book, with an assist from John Wittington, Newman expertly tugs on the heartstrings, wielding dead kids, dead husbands and dead mothers. And the manner in which each perishes runs the gamut from old age to an overdose to a suspected suicide. Did I mention this is a comedy?
OK, not the usual fodder for laughs, but they can be found here, albeit sporadically. What ultimately sells it is the warmth of spirit in each and every character, be it the two leads; Colm Meaney as the jovial proprietor of the general store; Sofia Black-D’Elia as Cameron’s potential love interest; or Kathy Baker, Beth Grant and Joan Chen as Tova’s unsung besties, as well as the story’s delightful Greek chorus. You wish all had a bit more dimensionality, but you’re still glad they’re here.
None of it is grounded in reality. It’s pure fantasy porn for the Lifetime and Hallmark fans who prefer their treacle highly concentrated. Normally, I despise such blatant assaults on my emotions. And believe me, I did everything in my power to resist being lured into such a sticky-sweet snare. But damned if Field and Pullman didn’t shatter my defenses, final eye roll-inducing twist and all.
Oh, and that darned talking octopus! He got to me, too. Which prompted me to ponder the meaning of the title: “Remarkably Bright Creatures.” I assume it is a reference to Marcellus and his brethren, whom he claims possess more intelligence in a single tentacle than a human brain. And, I’m apt to agree. After all, our species has to be pretty gullible to succumb to such obvious manipulation. But isn’t it wonderful that we do?
Movie review
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Rated: PG-13
Cast: Sally Field, Lewis Pullman, Colm Meaney, Beth Grant, Kathy Baker, Joan Chen and Sofia Black-D’Elia
Director: Olivia Newman
Writers: Olivia Newman and John Wittington
Runtime: 111 minutes
Where: Streaming on Netflix and in theaters (limited)
Grade: B-
