Là où chantent les écrevisses

Where the Crawdads Sing is based on the novel of the same name, by Delia Owens. It tells the story of Kya(Daisy Edgar-Jones). Kya who grows up alone in the woods of the deep south, is the prime suspect in a murder investigation. This is because she used to be in a relationship with the victim.

Where the Crawdads Sing is a great film. Director Olivia Newman has a done an impeccable job adapting the source material which has become a worldwide phenomenon. The emotional moments will make you tear up. The romantic elements are the highlight of the movie. The suspense is nail-biting & it's there, right till the very last scene. The cinematography by Polly Morgan is breathtaking & captures the gorgeous locales in all their glory. The main flaw is that, the romance element is quite predictable. Daisy Edgar-Jones is spectacular as Kya Clark. Taylor John Smith is brilliant as Tate Walker. Edgar-Jones & Smith have electrifying chemistry in all their scenes together. Harris Dickinson is outstanding as Chase Andrews. David Strathairn is fantastic as Tom Milton. Michael Hyatt & Sterling Macer Jr. Are perfect as Mabel & Jumpin', respectively. The supporting cast is excellent. Where the Crawdads Sing is a must watch for fans of the novel & romantic drama fans. Go & admire the unbreakable spirit of our protagonist!

Beauty in words. Beauty in images. Beauty in music. Beauty in a performance. Beauty in an actress.

Where the Crawdads Sing is a well-made movie with a story and a character that keep you heavily invested. The romance aspect really works, and this is coming from a guy who doesn't normally go for romance. Pulling on your heart-strings is an understatement.

I wasn't planning on watching this movie but I'm glad I did. I really enjoyed it and would watch it again. (1 viewing, opening Friday 7/15/2022)

What classic murder mysteries inevitably must have is a 'who-done-it' which you will not guess. This story will have you ponder to be sure and when you're certain you have figured it out you are surprised not once but twice. It is the reason I call it a classic.

Not only is it a murder mystery, it is a romance drama worthy of awards. The Novel on which it is based, by Dalia Owens, was at the very top of the New York Times best sellers in 2019 and in 2020, after which it remained on the list to date. It sold over 15 million copies; that's saying something. I certainly found it very moving. The main character, Kya Clark, played oh so well by Daisy Edgar-Jones (and earlier as a child by Jojo Regina), is a unique character, much like the character Nell from the 1994 Oscar winning movie, was a unique character. Kya however is a highly developed survivalist, with so many great qualities for you to discover and like, not the least of which is her love of nature. That in itself lended the movie to great cinematographic opportunities, and it is not lacking in that; in fact it made me love the movie even more.

You may not get much from reading the IMDb storyline, but why would you want to spoil the experience; so, I'm avoiding those here. The complexities of human behaviour is explored, exposed and certainly exploited to our benefit with refreshing subtleties. Would I recommend this movie? Oh yes, absolutely.

Read the book. Loved it. This is not one of those reviews that says movie ruined the book. It is different in the book tho. Daisy Edgar Jones is a great actress and does nothing wrong here but is totally unlike the vision of Kya in my head. The best thing about the movie is the cinematography. With no sound this movie would be lush. The dialogue is clunky though, a lot of the supporting actors wooden particularly the love interests. The courtroom scenes are predictable. David Straitharn is great as a cut price Atticus Finch. The middle section of the movie lags and feels like a Hallmark movie , however by the end I was sucked in and left the cinema smiling.

Plot synopsis without spoilers is basically a young girl fending for herself in the marshlands is charged with murder.

Better than the mainstream reviews suggest.

What would you do, if those you love deserted you, left you lost and all alone, within a swampland overgrow; only parent who can nurture, takes the name of mother nature, raises you with all the senses, that you need to form defences; as you grow you start to flower, just don't realise your power, attracting those that make you sing, attracting those that wound and sting; then you're captured in a web, of prejudice, a tidal ebb, stranded, beached, marooned and grounded, the ending may leave you confounded.

Daisy Edgar-Jones is brilliant, and gives one of her best performances to date as the marshland Mowgli Kya Clark.