AlfredMolina – Credits Rolling

Based on the novel by Shelby Van Pelt, Remarkably Bright Creatures follows Tova (Sally Field), an elderly widow who works nights at the aquarium. She befriends an octopus named Marcellus (Alfred Molina). When Tova is unexpectedly injured and has to step back from her cleaning duties, new to town Cameron (Lewis Pullman) fills in. The two couldn’t be more opposite from each other, but they will soon find

Getting a book to screen adaption right is no easy feat. Most of the time, the film will suffer because of how impossible it is to include every detail into it. I read the book a couple of years ago and while I didn’t fall in love with it like everybody else did, I could still understand why so many were charmed by the story. Of course I couldn’t help but be curious to see how they would put it all together for the silver screen. I am so pleased to report that it was absolutely wonderful!

This would have been an entirely different film if not for the brilliant casting of Field and Pullman. Field was perfect as our protagonist. The emotional depth that she showed was mesmerizing. As we learned more about her character and the loss she went through, not only with her husband, but also her son, my heart broke for her. Pullman also delivered a nuanced performance. They complimented each other nicely and had an organic chemistry. Molina voicing Marcellus was a genius choice; his distinctive and calming voice helped set the tone. He was the perfect narrator! I mustn’t forget Colm Meaney’s character, Ethan. Fellow townsman who runs the local store, he was a wonderful addition to the group and provided some laughs.

While the premise may seem strange – an octopus using his wiles to bring together two lonely individuals – it totally and completely worked. In other films it may come off as cheesy or unrealistic. That wasn’t the case here because everything was handled with such care, it didn’t even matter. The pacing was slow yet deliberate and every moment was made with purpose.

Remarkably Bright Creatures is one of my favorite films of the year so far. A beautiful story about grief, loneliness and the unexpected ways that people find their way back to each other, it swept me up and refused to let me go. From the bright colors, to the stunning scenery, and the perfect casting choices, it felt magical. I wasn’t expecting this to impact me as much as it did, but I was left in tears. I have a feeling this one will stay with me for a long time to come.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Promising Young Woman is a film that I have been (impatiently) waiting for for almost a year now. As soon as I heard about it, I knew it was something I was going to enjoy. I guess I just didn’t expect it to have such an impact on me afterwards or for it to have become one of my favorite films of all time! It really was that good and I already can’t wait to watch it all over again.

Cassandra ‘Cassie’ Thomas (Carey Mulligan) is a med school dropout who still lives at home with her parents Stanley (Clancy Brown) and Susan (Jennifer Coolidge) at the age of thirty. She has had the same coffee shop gig for ages where she has a great relationship with her boss Gail (Laverne Cox). On the outside, Cassie seems like a normal girl living a normal life.

But what nobody knows is that she is actually living a double life – at night, Cassie goes out to bars and clubs, pretends to get drunk so that guys will take her home all so she can snap out of it and give them a taste of their own medicine. It’s all part of her revenge tour against those who were responsible for the sexual assault and eventual suicide of her best friend Nina. These men must pay for what they have done and Cassie will stop at nothing until that happens.

At first glance, this movie may seem like a comedy and that is partially true. There are some funny moments and the writing is incredibly witty and sharp. It also seems like there is some romance thrown in complete with a falling in love montage to Paris Hilton’s iconic song Stars Are Blind. Underneath all that, however, is the depiction of a heavy subject.

The cast were absolutely flawless in this. Carey Mulligan should get all the awards for her portrayal as Cassie. I have never seen such a convincing performance before and it blew me away. I liked the other well known faces that popped up throughout including Alison Brie, Connie Britton, Max Greenfield, Bo Burnham, Molly Shannon, Alfred Molina and Chris Lowell.

Promising Young Woman was truly phenomenal. I really do believe this is because of how important the topic is and how instances like this happen all the time. Sexual assault is not okay and it is always overlooked. I loved how Cassie took matters into her own hands. She was determined and really wanted vengeance for what had happened to her friend. She was inspiring and heartbreaking all at the same time.

If you don’t go and watch Promising Young Woman now, you are missing out. This is not a movie to be missed! I know it is one that will stick with me for a long time.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥