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==Plot==
==Plot==
<!-- This is the FILM ADAPTATION. There will be differences between the book and the film, so the book is no longer the be-all and end-all. This is about the FILM, and the plot of the film. -->
<!-- This is the FILM ADAPTATION. There will be differences between the book and the film, so the book is no longer the be-all and end-all. This is about the FILM, and the plot of the film. -->
Catherine "Kya" Clark is a resourceful young girl growing up in a [[North Carolina]] [[marsh]] on the coast during the 1950s. Her poor family live in a shack with their alcoholic and abusive father who gambles their money away. As her mother and older siblings, one by one, flee his abuse, Kya is left alone with him. In time, her father softens but then abandons her, without warning, a few weeks after the only day she ever spends at school. Now, at the age of seven, she is completely alone, but she learns to survive, and the only way she earns money to buy gas for her boat and food is to sell mussels. The townspeople of Barkley Cove know little about Kya, nicknaming her "The Marsh Girl".
Catherine "Kya" Clark is a resourceful young girl growing up in a [[North Carolina]] [[marsh]] on the coast during the 1950s. Her poor family live in a shack with their alcoholic and abusive father who gambles their money away. As her mother and older siblings, one by one, flee his abuse, Kya is left alone with him. In time, her father softens but then abandons her, without warning, a few weeks after the only day she ever spends at school. Now, at the age of seven, she is completely alone, but she learns to survive, and the only way she earns money to buy gas for her boat and food is to sell [[mussels]]. The townspeople of Barkley Cove know little about Kya, nicknaming her "The Marsh Girl".


On the same day that her father left, Kya takes his boat as far as the ocean and turns around but gets lost while trying to find her way home. Fortunately, she comes upon a slightly older boy named Tate Walker, who guides her home safely. He was a friend of her older brother Jodie, and had known Kya since she was a very little girl. Tate then begins visiting her in the marsh, and they become good friends over their teenage years. He teaches her to read, write and count, and even lends her books. Both share an interest in nature and they eventually begin a romantic relationship. However, Kya gets left behind once again when Tate leaves for college and fails to keep his promise of returning to her on the 4th of July.
On the same day that her father left, Kya takes his boat as far as the ocean and turns around but gets lost while trying to find her way home. Fortunately, she comes upon a slightly older boy named Tate Walker, who guides her home safely. He was a friend of her older brother Jodie, and had known Kya since she was a very little girl. Tate then begins visiting her in the marsh, and they become good friends over their teenage years. He teaches her to read, write and count, and even lends her books. Both share an interest in nature and they eventually begin a romantic relationship. However, Kya gets left behind once again when Tate leaves for college and fails to keep his promise of returning to her on the [[4th of July]].


Over the next few years, as her art skills and knowledge of biology grow, Kya sends her nature drawings and research writings to a publisher, as previously encouraged by Tate, and the income from the book helps her keep her family's property. The publishing of Kya's book leads to her rediscovery by her older brother Jodie, now a military veteran. He informs her that their mother had wanted to find and reunite with the other children but she became sick and died from [[leukemia]]. Jodie promises to visit her when he can.
Over the next few years, as her art skills and knowledge of [[biology]] grow, Kya sends her nature drawings and research writings to a publisher, as previously encouraged by Tate, and the income from the book helps her keep her family's property. The publishing of Kya's book leads to her rediscovery by her older brother Jodie, now a military veteran. He informs her that their mother had wanted to find and reunite with the other children but she became sick and died from [[leukemia]]. Jodie promises to visit her when he can.


By 1965, now 19 years old, Kya becomes drawn into a tryst by Chase Andrews, Barkley Cove's popular [[quarterback]], who promises her marriage. When Kya discovers that Chase is already engaged to another girl, she furiously ends their relationship. Meanwhile, Tate returns to Barkley Cove, wanting to apologize to Kya for abandoning her and rekindle their romance, but Kya is unsure. Chase keeps pursuing Kya, wanting to continue their sexual relationship, but she rebuffs him. He then violently attacks and tries to rape her but Kya successfully fights him off and loudly vows to kill him if he doesn't leave her alone. This threat is overheard by a local fisherman.
By 1965, now 19 years old, Kya becomes drawn into a tryst by Chase Andrews, Barkley Cove's popular [[quarterback]], who promises her marriage. When Kya discovers that Chase is already engaged to another girl, she furiously ends their relationship. Meanwhile, Tate returns to Barkley Cove, wanting to apologize to Kya for abandoning her and rekindle their romance, but Kya is unsure. Chase keeps pursuing Kya, wanting to continue their sexual relationship, but she rebuffs him. He then violently attacks and tries to [[rape]] her but Kya successfully fights him off and loudly vows to kill him if he doesn't leave her alone. This threat is overheard by a local fisherman.


Later, Chase is found dead at the bottom of a [[fire tower]] from which he has fallen. The tower is located in a wet and muddy bog that gets flooded at [[high tide]]. The surrounding area lacked any tracks from the killer, and no fingerprints were found on the tower. A shell necklace Kya had given him was missing from his body, and he had been wearing it the evening of his death. The following day, Kya is charged with [[Murder (United States law)#Degrees|first-degree murder]] and prejudged by the overly zealous and suspicious townspeople.
Later, Chase is found dead at the bottom of a [[fire tower]] from which he has fallen. The tower is located in a wet and muddy bog that gets flooded at [[high tide]]. The surrounding area lacked any tracks from the killer, and no fingerprints were found on the tower. A shell necklace Kya had given him was missing from his body, and he had been wearing it the evening of his death. The following day, Kya is charged with [[Murder (United States law)#Degrees|first-degree murder]] and prejudged by the overly zealous and suspicious townspeople.

Revision as of 16:13, 27 July 2022

Where the Crawdads Sing
Theatrical release poster
Directed byOlivia Newman
Screenplay byLucy Alibar
Based onWhere the Crawdads Sing
by Delia Owens
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyPolly Morgan
Edited byAlan Edward Bell
Music byMychael Danna
Production
companies
Distributed bySony Pictures Releasing
Release date
  • July 15, 2022 (2022-07-15) (United States)
Running time
126 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$24 million[1]
Box office$44.2 million[2]

Where the Crawdads Sing is a 2022 American film based on the 2018 murder-mystery novel of the same name by Delia Owens. The film is directed by Olivia Newman from a screenplay written by Lucy Alibar, and is produced by Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter. The film stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Taylor John Smith, Harris Dickinson, Michael Hyatt, Sterling Macer, Jr., and David Strathairn.

Where the Crawdads Sing was released in the United States on July 15, 2022, by Sony Pictures Releasing under Columbia Pictures. It has grossed $44 million worldwide and received mixed reviews from critics, who praised Edgar-Jones's performance but found the film's tone incoherent; audience reception was more positive.

Plot

Catherine "Kya" Clark is a resourceful young girl growing up in a North Carolina marsh on the coast during the 1950s. Her poor family live in a shack with their alcoholic and abusive father who gambles their money away. As her mother and older siblings, one by one, flee his abuse, Kya is left alone with him. In time, her father softens but then abandons her, without warning, a few weeks after the only day she ever spends at school. Now, at the age of seven, she is completely alone, but she learns to survive, and the only way she earns money to buy gas for her boat and food is to sell mussels. The townspeople of Barkley Cove know little about Kya, nicknaming her "The Marsh Girl".

On the same day that her father left, Kya takes his boat as far as the ocean and turns around but gets lost while trying to find her way home. Fortunately, she comes upon a slightly older boy named Tate Walker, who guides her home safely. He was a friend of her older brother Jodie, and had known Kya since she was a very little girl. Tate then begins visiting her in the marsh, and they become good friends over their teenage years. He teaches her to read, write and count, and even lends her books. Both share an interest in nature and they eventually begin a romantic relationship. However, Kya gets left behind once again when Tate leaves for college and fails to keep his promise of returning to her on the 4th of July.

Over the next few years, as her art skills and knowledge of biology grow, Kya sends her nature drawings and research writings to a publisher, as previously encouraged by Tate, and the income from the book helps her keep her family's property. The publishing of Kya's book leads to her rediscovery by her older brother Jodie, now a military veteran. He informs her that their mother had wanted to find and reunite with the other children but she became sick and died from leukemia. Jodie promises to visit her when he can.

By 1965, now 19 years old, Kya becomes drawn into a tryst by Chase Andrews, Barkley Cove's popular quarterback, who promises her marriage. When Kya discovers that Chase is already engaged to another girl, she furiously ends their relationship. Meanwhile, Tate returns to Barkley Cove, wanting to apologize to Kya for abandoning her and rekindle their romance, but Kya is unsure. Chase keeps pursuing Kya, wanting to continue their sexual relationship, but she rebuffs him. He then violently attacks and tries to rape her but Kya successfully fights him off and loudly vows to kill him if he doesn't leave her alone. This threat is overheard by a local fisherman.

Later, Chase is found dead at the bottom of a fire tower from which he has fallen. The tower is located in a wet and muddy bog that gets flooded at high tide. The surrounding area lacked any tracks from the killer, and no fingerprints were found on the tower. A shell necklace Kya had given him was missing from his body, and he had been wearing it the evening of his death. The following day, Kya is charged with first-degree murder and prejudged by the overly zealous and suspicious townspeople.

Despite the knowledge that Kya had been in Greenville to meet with a book publisher, the police still speculate that she might have disguised herself and made a quick, round-trip, bus tour back to Barkley Cove and the fire tower during the night. The police have little evidence other than their unproven theory, the missing necklace, along with the fisherman's testimony, and do not have a strong case, so she is found not guilty at her trial in 1970.

Though Kya and Tate never formally marry, they live together as loving partners. Over the years, Kya ends up publishing more illustrated books about the local nature, and she is frequently visited by Jodie and his family. After her death in her mid-70s, Tate finds the missing necklace in a diary she had hidden. It was the only evidence that could have convicted her. Tate then leaves the shell from the necklace in the water, forever hiding Kya's secret in her beloved marsh.

Title

Crayfish cannot "sing", but when Kya's mother often encouraged her to explore the marsh, she would say: "Go as far as you can–way out yonder where the crawdads sing." When Tate also used the phrase, she asked him the meaning and he replied: "Just means far in the bush where critters are wild, still behaving like critters." Delia Owens was inspired to use the phrase because her own mother had used it when she was a child.[3]

Cast

Production

On January 25, 2021, it was announced that Taylor John Smith and Harris Dickinson would be joining Daisy Edgar-Jones in a film adaptation produced by Hello Sunshine and 3000 Pictures for Sony Pictures, based on Delia Owens' best-selling novel Where the Crawdads Sing. Olivia Newman was then hired to direct a screenplay written by Lucy Alibar.[4] That March, David Strathairn[5] and Jayson Warner Smith joined the cast.[6] In April, Garret Dillahunt, Michael Hyatt, Ahna O'Reilly, Sterling Macer Jr., and Jojo Regina joined the cast.[7] In June 2021, Eric Ladin was cast.[8]

Principal photography took place from March 30 to June 28, 2021, in New Orleans[9] and Houma, Louisiana.[10]

Music

Mychael Danna composed the film's musical score.

American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift wrote and performed the original song "Carolina" for the film. When the film's promotional trailer was first released, she said that she "got absolutely lost in [the book] when I read it years ago" and "wanted to create something haunting and ethereal".[11][12]

Release

The film was released on July 15, 2022. It was previously scheduled to be released on June 24, 2022,[13][14] before being delayed to July 22, 2022,[15] and then being moved up by a week to July 15.[16]

Reception

Box office

As of July 25, 2022, Where the Crawdads Sing has grossed $40.1 million in the United States and Canada, and $4.1 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $44.2 million.[2]

In the United States and Canada, Where the Crawdads Sing was released alongside Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank and Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, and was initially projected to gross around $10 million from 3,626 theaters in its opening weekend.[1] After making $7.3 million on its first day (including $2.3 million from Thursday night previews), estimates were raised to $16 million. It went on to debut to $17.3 million, finishing third at the box office behind holdovers Thor: Love and Thunder and Minions: The Rise of Gru.[17] The film made $10.3 million in its second weekend, finishing fourth, with Deadline Hollywood noting the 40% drop as "great hold… for a female skewing movie during the pandemic."[18]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 34% of 166 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.2/10. The website's consensus reads, "Daisy Edgar-Jones gives it her all, but Where the Crawdads Sing is ultimately unable to distill its source material into a tonally coherent drama."[19] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 42 out of 100, based on 43 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[20]

Thelma Adams, writing for the AARP, gave the film a score of three out of five: "A cross between The Notebook, Fried Green Tomatoes and To Kill a Mockingbird, the romance will satisfy fans of the book but suffers from abuse overload."[21] Brian Lowry for CNN praised Edgar-Jones' "old-fashioned movie-star appeal" and summarized it as "a smallish movie that hits just enough of the right notes".[22] Peter Bradshaw, writing for The Guardian, gave the film one out of a possible five stars, describing it as an "uncompromisingly terrible southern gothic schmaltzer ... a relentless surge of solemnly ridiculous nonsense in the style of romdram maestro Nicholas Sparks", with Edgar-Jones as a "Manic Pixie Dream Girl Murder Suspect".[23] Alistair Harkness for The Scotsman gave it two out of five stars, calling it an "insipid empowerment fantasy" with "corny love scenes (and) honeydew cinematography", and describing Edgar-Jones as "hopelessly miscast".[24]

Audience response

Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A–" on an A+ to F scale. PostTrak reported 87% of audience members gave it a positive score (with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars), with 70% saying they would definitely recommend it.[17]

Of the opening weekend audience, 32% came with someone who wanted to see the film, while 30% saw the film because they were a fan of the book. Anthony D'Alessandro of Deadline Hollywood said the film is an example of a harshly reviewed film beating projections, "the pic's opening, 70% ahead of where tracking thought it would be. That's a wonderful thing for the business when Rotten Tomatoes doesn't ruin a movie's ticket sales."[17]

References

  1. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 13, 2022). "'Thor: Love And Thunder' Heading To $200M+ As Counter-Programming 'Paws Of Fury', 'Crawdads Sing' Open – Box Office Preview". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Where the Crawdads Sing". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  3. ^ Weston, Christopher (July 19, 2022). "Where the Crawdads Sing honours author's mother's phrase with childhood link". HITC. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  4. ^ Kroll, Justin (January 26, 2021). "'Where The Crawdads Sing': Taylor John Smith And Harris Dickinson Join Film Adaptation For 3000 Pictures, Hello Sunshine And Sony". Deadline. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  5. ^ Kroll, Justin (March 17, 2021). "'Where The Crawdads Sing': David Strathairn Joins Film Adaptation For 3000 Pictures, Hello Sunshine And Sony". Deadline. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  6. ^ Welk, Brian (March 30, 2021). "'Walking Dead' Star Jayson Warner Smith Joins 'Where the Crawdads Sing' Adaptation (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  7. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (April 14, 2021). "Garret Dillahunt, Michael Hyatt & More Join Daisy Edgar-Jones In 'Where The Crawdads Sing' Adaptation From Sony". Deadline. Retrieved April 14, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 16, 2021). "Annet Mahendru Joins 'Stu'; Eric Ladin In 'Where The Crawdads Sing'; Steve Eastin Boards 'Killers Of The Flower Moon' & More – Film Briefs". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  9. ^ "Film and TV Projects Going Into Production - Where The Crawdads Sing". Variety Insight. June 28, 2021. Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  10. ^ Setyawan, Kezia (July 13, 2021). "Houma transforms for Reese Witherspoon's new movie, 'Where the Crawdads Sing'". The Courier. Retrieved October 13, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ Nolan, Emma (March 22, 2022). "Taylor Swift wanted a "haunting" song for 'Where the Crawdads Sing'". Newsweek. Retrieved March 23, 2022. I wanted to create something haunting and ethereal to match this mesmerizing story.
  12. ^ Blistein, Jon (March 22, 2022). "Taylor Swift Teases New Song 'Carolina' in 'Where the Crawdads Sing' Trailer". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  13. ^ Grobar, Matt (May 6, 2021). "Sony Pictures Sets Release Date For Crime Drama 'Where The Crawdads Sing'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  14. ^ Grobar, Matt (February 16, 2022). "'Where The Crawdads Sing' And 'Beasts Of The Southern Wild' Scribe Lucy Alibar Signs With CAA". Deadline. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  15. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 14, 2021). "Sony Moves 'Bullet Train' & 'Where The Crawdads Sing' To Summer". Deadline. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  16. ^ Bonomolo, Cameron (March 18, 2022). "Sony's Bullet Train Pushes Back Release Date". Comicbook. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  17. ^ a b c D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 16, 2022). "'Thor: Love And Thunder' Falling -68% In Weekend 2; 'Crawdads' Carrying $15M-$16M Tune – Saturday AM Box Office Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  18. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 24, 2022). "Jordan Peele's 'Nope' Opens To $44M, As Original IP Breaks Through At Box Office – Sunday Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  19. ^ "Where the Crawdads Sing". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved July 25, 2022. Edit this at Wikidata
  20. ^ "Where the Crawdads Sing". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  21. ^ Appelo, Tim (July 14, 2022). "Best New Movies to Watch This Week". AARP. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  22. ^ Lowry, Brian (July 13, 2022). "'Where the Crawdads Sing' hits just enough of the right notes". CNN. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  23. ^ Bradshaw, Peter (July 21, 2022). "Where the Crawdads Sing review – Daisy Edgar-Jones wasted in terrible gator bait". The Guardian. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  24. ^ Harkness, Alistair (July 19, 2022). "Film reviews: Where the Crawdads Sing | Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck in Time | She Will". The Scotsman. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
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