Where the Crawdads Sing

Where the Crawdads Sing (2022) is a movie directed by Olivia Newman, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones.

This feature is remarkable in its photography, and the sensitivity and romanticism in its narrative, so much so, that it must have bothered many despite its simple and innocent approach, because it has been ripped to shreds by critics.

It is not that bad a movie. We actually found it interesting and endearing.

Premise

In the deep South of the U.S. some kids find the corpse of a man. A rather unsociable woman, who is withdrawn from the community, is accused of the crime.

Review

Do you remember The Prince of Tides? It had that powerful counterposition between the Southern idealized fantasy, and the so very different New York way. Well, in Where the Crawdads Sing, we are shown similar aesthetics in the form of a Southern fable that provides the director with a good excuse to discuss the miseries and disadvantages of “being different” in all its forms, and how a community destroys in all mediocrity everything that is not a facsimile of what they know.

It is a movie full of innocent sensitivity, and the cinematography is well adapted to the story, with good photography and frames, and creating an ambiance well adapted to the story. That in itself makes it a worthwhile movie. The narrative tempo in this film is good, with good sequences, and it has been well edited. Furthermore, the young Daisy Edgar-Jones proves to be a spectacular actress.

Is it fluff and candyfloss? Yes, it is melodramatic, simple and traditional (we suspect that is what offended so many), however, we find this film a charming and touching tale about something “common” (not being understood) and how difficult it is to grow-up being different (when this dilemma is portrayed with teenage superheroes, it does not seem to be as offensive, apparently).

Our Opinion

It is not a movie that goes far and beyond any film set in the South, and it tells us the story it tells; but it deserves acknowledgement given the good production work, successfully creating an atmosphere with the good photography and setting, as well as the good performances by the cast.

Otras Críticas

This film is like the Instagram-influencer version of [Beasts of a Southern Wild] — a Goop post about its beautifying effects.
Tom Shone: Times (UK)