Olivia Newman, the director behind "Where the Crawdads Sing," returns with "Remarkably Bright Creatures," an adaptation that pairs Sally Field with an unlikely co-star. The film centers on Field's character bonding with an octopus while navigating the interpersonal tensions of family life.
Newman's approach balances the novel's whimsical premise with genuine emotional stakes. Field, a veteran performer, anchors the material with her characteristic depth. Lewis Pullman provides supporting weight to the ensemble, grounding the narrative in recognizable human conflict even as the octopus serves as the story's narrative anchor and emotional catalyst.
The adaptation strategy proves smart. Rather than leaning entirely into the novelty of a human-marine animal relationship, Newman understands that readers connected with the source material's exploration of grief, resilience, and second chances. The octopus functions as both literal character and metaphor, drawing Field's character out of isolation while the family drama provides the thematic backbone.
This release marks another significant adaptation for Newman in quick succession. After the commercial and critical success of "Where the Crawdads Sing," studios clearly trust her instincts with literary properties that could easily tip into sentimentality or gimmickry. Her track record suggests she knows how to honor source material while making necessary cinematic adjustments.
Field's casting proves inspired. At an age when Hollywood often sidelines female leads, she carries a film centered on an older woman's unexpected journey. This aligns with a broader industry trend toward greenlighting stories with mature protagonists, though such projects remain comparatively rare.
Newman's smartly-made adaptation suggests that beloved novels adapted for screen don't require choosing between whimsy and weight. The film demonstrates that a talking-octopus premise and genuine family drama can coexist in the same frame, provided the director understands which elements demand emotional authenticity and which can embrace the lighter touch the material allows.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Newman proves again that beloved novels require directors who respect both their heart and their oddness.