Filmmakers don’t always get it right when it comes to adapting novels to the big screen, but director Olivia Newman transcends expectations with Where the Crawdads Sing.
Based on the best-selling novel by Delia Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing tells the equal parts the heartwarming and heartbreaking story of Kya Clark aka “marsh girl.” After Kya (Daisy Edgar-Jones) is abandoned by her family at a very young age, she must learn to fend for herself deep in the North Carolina swamps. But when she becomes a teenager, local student Chase Andrews (Harris Dickinson) turns up dead, and the police start to investigate Kya for his murder since they were once romantically involved. Interestingly enough, just recently, speculation surrounding Owen’s involvement in the real-life murder of an animal poacher in Africa has recently resurfaced.
Normal People’s Daisy Edgar-Jones proves her worth as a movie star as she carries the entire film. Between her and Tate (Taylor John Smit), one can’t help but feel the influence of Nicholas Sparks’s The Notebook in the screenplay adapted by Lucy Alibar. Edgar Jones and Smith have divine chemistry that translates seamlessly on-screen. Tate and Kya’s love saga is front and center in this melodrama, but there are other pertinent themes that are also prevalent.
There are multiple plotlines woven into the 125-minute runtime of the film. There is a story of perseverance and adversity in the face of neglect, abuse, and bullying—which is sure to make audiences gasp and weep. And my personal favorite is a tremulous love story that is sure to warm the hearts of anyone who will give it chance.
Accompanied by sensational cinematography, the entire film takes place in swamp lands. However, thanks to Polly Morgan’s handy work, it’s shot so exquisitely that it maintains beauty and interest throughout. So much so that it reminds us of Dee Rees’s Mudbound (2017). The establishing shots and close-ups of the lavishly green swamp’s flora and fauna make for a spectacularly immersive experience.
Multi-Grammy-winning artist Taylor Swift also recorded “Carolina” for the film–which is a perfect melody for the narrative and could quite possibly be a player in this year’s awards race.
Produced by Reese Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine productions, the film doesn’t push any envelopes and even seems to take ownership of what it is: a summer popcorn film that your mom will love. A strong love story in the face of adversity, and what’s better than that on the palate?
Perhaps the story in Where the Crawdads Sing doesn’t fully boil to humidity like it does in the book. But if audiences go in with low expectations, they may just be quite pleased with this beautiful and adorable feature.
Grade: A