Remarkably Bright Creatures for Movies & Munchies (and Lit Happens)

Remarkably Bright Creatures is both the Movies & Munchies and the Lit Happens feature this month, the film and the novel respectively. Wendy from Day in the life on the Farm is hosting both events.

I read the novel soon after it came out. I was totally skeptical but loved it. It was so hard to recommend this book to others: “It’s about a genius octopus who makes friends with an elderly cleaning woman.” (I did get someone to take me up on my recommendation because I loaned my copy out and haven’t gotten it back yet.)

I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to make this round as Netflix was giving us some issues. But, with barely a day to spare, I got to watch the film and make a dish.

What I thought…

I didn’t reread the novel for this post but I feel like the film did a good job depicting the sentiment and the characters that were laid out in the book. The casting was spot on. Again, I was dubious about how they would depict the narrator, Marcellus. Again, I approve.

I thought Sally Field played Tova with just the right amount of courage and humility. Pullman was the perfect Peter Pan man-child, trying to find himself by finding his absent father. I do think Cameron’s relationship with Avery was a bit flushed out more in the novel.

Tova’s Knit Wit crew was delightful and I wish we could have seen a bit more of them. I loved Colm Meaney as Ethan, although I think the novel might have played up his and Tova’s potential relationship a bit more.

I also thought the film got very close to having a Hallmark feel which I found really odd for a relationship between an older woman and an octopus!

(Tova’s house was amazing and I want to live there, or anywhere in that village!)

The Food

This is not a food-centric film unless you want to be a bit cannibalistic and whip up a Marcellus dish. Besides octopus and scallops (a favorite of the narrator), here is the other food I spotted.

• Breakfast Sandwich (sausage, egg, and cheese with whole grain mustard)
• Cookies at the Knit Wits
• Beers and Fritos
• Casseroles (also from the Knit Wits)
• Picnic with wine/tea
• Flygande Jakob (Flying Jacob)
• Burgers and hot dogs

Well, that Flying Jacob sounded almost weird enough to try…chicken, bacon, bananas, cream, chili paste or curry, and peanuts.

????

Instead, I decided to go with Ethan’s famous breakfast sandwiches with his secret ingredient, whole grain mustard.

I’m not posting a recipe, just following Ethan’s lead. I layered some cooked sausage, fried eggs, medium cheddar and whole grain mustard on toasted and buttered English muffins. These were a great breakfast!

Thanks to Ethan for the idea of the mustard. You must try this as soon as you are able.

Thanks to Wendy for recommending we watch this film and revisit the novel.