Delia Owens’s first novel, Where the Crawdads Sing, is the latest best-selling novel adaptation to hit theatres. Director, Olivia Newman, and screenwriter, Lucy Alibar weave a tale of mystery, romance, and bigotry that feels as beautiful to engulf yourself in as the lush and green locations are to look at. Where the Crawdads Sing is a movie that is sure to entice lovers of a good story, filled with some Oscar-worthy performances that should not be missed.
Set in coastal North Carolina, Where the Crawdads Sing centres around Catherine Danielle Clark (also known as Kya) played by Daisy Edgar-Jones, a young resourceful girl that has made a place for herself in the deep marsh surrounded by nature. Being so isolated has made her an outcast from the town, even though it is a mere five miles from her home. So, when a murder takes place, she is immediately the prime suspect.
Incarcerated and facing the potential of the death penalty, Kya reminisces about her life, and what brought her to this point. Where the Crawdads Sing splits its time between the courtroom drama of the present, with the many points in her past that brought her to this point in her life. From her hard life under her abusive alcoholic father played by Garret Dillahunt, to the life where everyone eventually leaves her, this is a story filled with tragedy.
While a fair bit of time is spent giving a taste of her young childhood, the brunt of the runtime is focused on Kya’s two major romances, with her first love Tate Walker (Taylor John Smith) and her more recent lover Chase Andrews (Harris Dickinson). It is here we get a sense of who Kya is, what drives her, and how despite everything she faces, she is willing to push past it thanks to her love of nature.
Daisy Edgar-Jones brings a sense of life and vibrancy to her portrayal of Kya, “the marsh girl”, embracing the sadness and joy in a way that is impossible to look away from. She is a person who, though she has been hurt many times, will always rise above, like the many creatures around her to live on and find her voice. Through the many scenes with her, even as she struggles or faces adversity, it is always clear she is not nearly as timid or fragile as the world around her views it.
“Where the Crawdads Sing is a fantastic journey into sadness and love that is well worth your time.”
While there are many other stand-out performances, and some great characters brought to life on screen, the cinematography is one of the biggest stand-outs of the film. The Louisiana location is rich with life, filling almost every scene of the film with nature in a way I did not expect from what, in the end, is a courtroom drama. With panning images of the marsh, to the many creatures that call it home, Where the Crawdads Sing is a feast for the eyes.
In all truth, there is little to complain about with Where the Crawdads Sing, with the vast majority of the runtime delivering a hauntingly touching story that while at times hard to watch due to the struggles, never feels overwhelming. It is simply the last segment that takes away from what was otherwise a fantastic story. While I won’t go into spoilers here, there is a point that could take away much of the catharsis the film had built up to that point, although this could be subjective.
Where the Crawdads Sing is a fantastic journey into sadness and love that is well worth your time. From the fantastic performances, to the way the story weaves an intriguing mystery, to the pure beauty of nature, this is a film well worth watching on the big screen. Lacklustre ending aside, Where the Crawdads Sing is filled to the brim with Oscar-level performances and cinematography that is worthy of your attention.
