“Remarkably Bright Creatures” follows Tova, a widow who bonds with a clever octopus and an adrift young man while working nights at a small-town aquarium. It’s based on the 2022 novel of the same name by Shelby Van Pelt.
If you’re looking for an introspective reflection of reality, it’s “Remarkably Bright Creatures.” The film is a mixture of sadness and happiness, oftentimes at once. Here, there’s not necessarily a “captivating” story. Instead, it’s a character-driven one. Focused entirely on the onscreen individuals, the film spends virtually its entire length examining their pasts, present lives and potential futures.
What makes it so effective is that none of the leads are “perfect.” Both Sally Field’s Tova and Lewis Pullman’s Cameron are broken individuals. There are hidden traumas that they carry and flaws that lead to mistakes. While it’s clear that both Tova and Cameron are inherently “good” people, it’s actually their negative traits that make them relatable. Layer by layer, “Remarkably Bright Creatures” peels back additional information. In the process, they manage to feel fully “human,” which is a feat that not many films can completely accomplish.
This is largely due to the performances from Field and Pullman. Field is soft-spoken and delicate, featuring a wide mix of both charming moments and deeply emotional ones. She is able to execute subtle jokes that generate laughs while also displaying grief in how she delivers specific lines. Pullman continues to show his range. He brings a certain sort of “messiness” to the screen that works perfectly for this character. Similar to Field, he’s also fairly mild, but adds in differing sentiments as well.
Together, Field and Pullman have phenomenal chemistry. Instantly, it’s a connection you can root for. Two different people living different lives and on different paths, but somehow, they bounce back and forth both comedically and emotionally.
The title itself is a phrase that describes both Tova and Cameron, and of course, Marcellus the octopus. It may sound blasphemous to call a movie about a talking octopus realistic — but it is. That’s because “Remarkably Bright Creatures” doesn’t really feature a “talking octopus.” Alfred Molina’s voice work only serves as the inner thoughts of the animal. While the characters navigate life’s complexities, the octopus acts as an observer.
“Humans, for the most part, are dull and blundering. But occasionally, you can be remarkably bright creatures.”
This is ultimately what makes the film unique. However, it’s not a perfect concept. While this creature is integral to the early stages of “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” the film does leave Marcellus sidelined for large stretches of the 111-minute runtime. Director Olivia Newman, who also co-wrote the script with John Whittington, attempts to weave the animal back into the mix. Though, the character-animal connection never feels as strong as it did initially.
Eventually, however, Marcellus is brought back into the spotlight. And it’s a touching conclusion. Amid the character drama, the film weaves in themes about animal captivity, mirroring the octopus’ days trapped in a tank with the characters’ unresolved feelings.
An octopus can be a challenging animal to bring to life on screen. They’re full of intricate movements that “Remarkably Bright Creatures” is able to capture. Utilizing both CGI and puppetry, Marcellus is never a distraction.
Outside of Marcellus, the visuals are much like the movie itself — relaxed. Director of photography Ashley Connor isn’t flashy here. When focusing on the humans, the camera remains largely still. She does implement some creativity when exploring the world from the creature’s point of view, however.
As a whole, though, the ending of “Remarkably Bright Creatures” is mixed. On one hand, it’s relentlessly hopeful, with new life breathed into each of the characters. Since so much time is spent examining these individuals, it’s rewarding to see them get a “win” for once. However, the film also attempts to generate a “big twist” that detaches it from the reality that was grasped so closely before. While it’s a “feel-good” conclusion, there are aspects that don’t completely land.
“Remarkably Bright Creatures” is a comfort movie. Despite maneuvering through a genre checklist, it remains enjoyable, largely thanks to the performances of Field and Pullman.
Rating: 3 out of 5
