Movie Number 29 of 2022
Movie: Where the Crawdads Sing
Theatre: Hoyts Victoria Gardens
Stars: 3 and a little bit.
Confession number one. I didn't really rate Delia Owens' book, Where the Crawdads Sing when we read it in book group. There were a number of things that grated on me, just didn't ring true, although I know many people who loved it.
So why go see the film? I was curious about the hype. I'm also a fan of David Strathairn and will watch him in pretty much anything he puts out (He was glorious in Nomadland, and then there's Good Night, and Good Luck. He's an actor's actor.) Plus, it's Friday night. I like getting out for a bit on Friday night.
So, what's this about?
Kya Clark (Daisy Edgar-Jones), a.k.a. The Marsh Girl, is basically abandoned by her family and then the town in the South Carolina marshes on which she lives. Over they years she's kept in grits and matches by Jumpin' and his wife (Sterling Macer Jr. and Michael Hyatt) where young Kya trades freshly caught mussels for goods. She is ostracised by the local town, dodges social services and lives a hermit's life in the marsh (Don't call it a swamp).
But there are some saving graces. She befriends Tate (Taylor John-Smith) who teaches her to read and write, but their burgeoning romance is cut short when he goes off to collage. She also catches the eye of the local entitled rich boy (Harris Dickinson) who sleazes his way into her life.
When scuzzbucket turns up dead, it is up to retired lawyer and all round good guy, Tom Milton (David Strathairn - like who else would you want representing you?) to help get her out of a death penalty.
So, what's good about the film?
It's pretty to watch. Filmed on the Louisiana Bayou, the scenery and setting are fabulous and shows the Deep South with great effect.
The performances are all solid. Daisy Edgar-Jones is incandescent, but that's her job. The rest of the players give respectable performances.
Olivia Newman's direction is good enough, though it's nothing we haven't seem before. The film moves at a decent pace and is very true to the book. Hello Sunshine, Reece Witherspoon's production company have backed a winner. They know it. This will draw in the book group crowd.
Lucy Alibar's script probably could have been better. Considering she was responsible for the incredible Beasts of the Southern Wilds, this film is a bit of a let down. In places I found the script lacklustre at best. There's nothing new here.
And of course, there's the much hyped song that was penned and performed by Taylor Swift. Big woops.
Interestingly, RottenTomatoes is split on this one. The critics have almost universally panned it, but audiences love it. I'm going more with the critics on this one. Although technically there's nothing wrong with this, I found it a little lacklustre - but then again, I didn't love the book. Those who did will probably feel the same about the film.
Personally, I say read the book over seeing the film. You'll get more out of it.
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