REVIEW: Remarkably Bright Creatures

This tearjerker picks up steam in its emotional second half, thanks to skilled acting and an absorbing storyline—as well as a few surprises (at least for those who haven't read the book).

Field and Pullman are well-matched as flawed, grieving outcasts in Remarkably Bright Creatures, which also benefits from likeable supporting actors such as Colm Meaney, Kathy Baker, and Sofia Black-D'Elia.

It's not hard to relate to the characters, who capture the loneliness of modern American life. The Pacific Northwest setting provides a luxurious background as well as a moodiness that fits the story's tone.

The octopus narrator is faithful to the book but arguably wasn't necessary in the screen adaptation, where his musings can come across as overly expository. The actors and script articulate the story just fine on their own. Then again, Marcellus is smart, loveable, and lives his own poignant story arc, so why mess with a best-seller?

Originally published by Common Sense Media.

Images courtesy of Netflix.