Too often, adaptations fail to capture the essence of the pages they are inspired by. Expectation and outside influence to mold and shape the ideas of one artist through the visual craftsmanship of another. Yet, where many have not met the bar of expectation, others have surpassed, a literary work brought to life not only for its fans but for an entire audience. In the case of Where the Crawdads Sing, Olivia Newman brings to life the delicate and heart-wrenching story of isolation and survival in an exquisitely crafted film that not only gives due justice to its central protagonist but the environment that encompasses the film’s entirety. From cinematography to direction, script to performance, Where the Crawdads Sing not only exceeds expectations at the box office but those of its viewers.
Kicking Off
Where the Crawdads Sing throws viewers immediately into the conflict, a body discovered in the marsh and a police identification leading the town to erupt into speculation. As it has neither been ruled a murder nor an accident, the autopsy is still pending, many of the town’ folk single out “the marsh girl” making her a suspect before a potential crime was on the books. Where the Crawdads Sing effectively captures the sense of escalating hysteria of both the town and the police as they descend on her home, a chase ending in her arrest. As the town gathers to watch her brought in, there is a sense of immense loneliness that begins to take shape, especially as the words of hate outside turn into claustrophobic silence within the prison cell.
Yet, as it seems she is on the verge of being consumed by her situation, Tom Milton (David Strathairn) appears to represent her in court. having come out of retirement, to right the wrongs set in motion by the presumptions of the community and the subsequent police department. As he beseeches her to open up to him, so he can defend a person and not just “the marsh girl”, Kya (Daisy Edgar-Jones) begins to tell her story, inviting not only Milton but the audience to understand both her past, present, and future.
A Natural Beauty
From this point on, Where the Crawdads Sing establishes and maintains an even pace, even while shifting between the past and the present. As Kya begins telling her story from childhood, it interweaves with her court case, her story shedding new light and urgency to the case being prosecuted. This sense of urgency is further heightened as Where the Crawdads Sing is in no rush to reveal Kya’s back story, allowing her the breadth to make herself vulnerable to the audience through story and memory.
Pensive in its naturalism, each shot within Where the Crawdads Sing is captured with a gentle caress and respect for the surrounding environment. So much so, the film becomes both a story of Kya and the marsh, their lives and stories eternally intertwined. The cinematography by Polly Morgan captures this beauty and the life within the marsh in every aspect of lighting. Particularly in the spectacular silhouettes that united both Kya and the marsh.
Daisy Edgar-Jones demands your attention here. In a performance that could have gone rapidly over the top, Edgar-Jones holds firm to her commitment to Kya, maintaining truth in the character at every moment. Reserved and cautious, she holds back just enough, while exhibiting a private exploding love for life, giving credibility to both Kya and her story. When her heart breaks, so does yours transcending screen and page. Where the film retains some predictability, Edgar-Jones is a refreshing casting choice.
Conclusion:
At its core, Where the Crawdads Sing is an examination of abandonment and loneliness, as well as survival within the unrelenting naturalist circle of life. The film never forgets its central core ideas, keeping them alive in narrative and cinematic framing. And as much as its central figure is hesitant to embrace the world, the film itself is not, welcoming both newcomers and fans of the book alike. Fueled by a strong performance by Edgar-Jones and pensive naturalism, Where the Crawdads Sing delivers a cinematic experience worthy of being seen.
Have you seen Where the Crawdads Sing? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below!
Where the Crawdads Sing was released in theaters on July 15, 2022!
Watch Where the Crawdads Sing
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