Club Benefits
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Verdict: Netflix's "Remarkably Bright Creatures" is a warm, feel-good feature that's made for leisurely weekend viewing. It's a simple, charming tale buoyed by strong performances from its leads, and one that I'm happy to recommend.
Release schedule: Available now
Where to watch: Netflix
If, a couple of years back, you found yourself enchanted by Netflix's feature-length doc "My Octopus Teacher," you're going to want to settle down in front of the streaming service's newest movie this weekend.
It's a film that whisks viewers away to a smallish town for around two hours of easygoing drama accompanied by droll witticisms doled out by Marcellus the octopus, and while I don't think it's necessarily going to blow anyone away, "Remarkably Bright Creatures" is an endearing watch that I'd be happy to recommend — you can find out why below.
What is 'Remarkably Bright Creatures' about?
"Remarkably Bright Creatures" revolves around Tova Sullivan (Sally Field), a widow who works as a cleaner at an aquarium in Sowell Bay.
She forges a bond with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus (voiced by Alfred Molina), and Cameron (Lewis Pullman), a drifter who rolls into town in search of someone who owes him money. Together, they uncover a mystery that will lead them to a life-changing discovery that may well restore their sense of wonder.
In addition to Field, Pullman, and Molina, "Remarkably Bright Creatures" cast also includes Colm Meaney, Joan Chen, Kathy Baker, Beth Grant, and Sofia Black-D'Elia.
'Remarkably Bright Creatures' is a charming, heartfelt drama
If you're like me and you're also susceptible to this kind of heartfelt drama, "Remarkably Bright Creatures" will certainly be a welcome addition to your watchlist. This is a stirring story about loss, love, and connection, and while some viewers may find it all a little saccharine, I definitely fell for its quirks and charms.
Pullman and Field render capture the unlikely friendship that blossoms between them with ease. Both turn in strong performances and ensure their respective characters are incredibly easy to root for, and watching them bond, slowly open up, and make that connection they've both needed is a treat.
The extra treat is the former Doc Ock as the voice of a literal octopus that happens to bring them together. Tova and Cameron are strangers until Marcellus, the catalyst, brings them together at the aquarium, and Alfred Molina lends the creature some real gravitas and charisma. His dry remarks about his peculiar carers are always funny, and the more mournful notes about home have the necessary impact because of the voice behind him.
I haven't read the original novel the movie's based upon, so I can't comment on its success or accuracy as an adaptation. While I definitely felt the emotional heft of the story, I found the actual narrative (and where it ends up) a little cute and convenient. Similarly, I don't think the mystery at the core is going to shock anyone, and some of the romance peppered was a tad underbaked.
Nevertheless, those minor quibbles shouldn't take away from the fact that "Remarkably Bright Creatures" is a sweet, simple dose of easy, leisurely viewing that'll happily fill a couple of hours while you kick back on the sofa over a weekend.
Stream "Remarkably Bright Creatures" on Netflix now
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