In the world of Hollywood, where stories often revolve around glitz and glamour, it's refreshing to discover a tale that intertwines with the unexpected - a story about a dog, a Pacific octopus, and the profound bond they share. This narrative, brought to life in Netflix's "Remarkably Bright Creatures," is a testament to the power of storytelling and the unexpected connections we can forge. But what makes this story truly captivating is the personal journey of Sally Field, a two-time Oscar winner, who found solace and inspiration in the most unlikely of companions - her Cavapoo dog, Dash.
Field's journey with Dash began during the pandemic, a time when the world was in turmoil. As she recalls, "I didn’t know there was going to be a pandemic. No one told me it was coming!" But amidst the chaos, Dash emerged as her "everything." This profound connection, she believes, is what inspired her character Tova's relationship with the octopus, Marcellus, in the movie. "Dash changed me because I never had a real, profound connection with a creature. So this story really linked to that," she says.
The name Dash, Field explains, was inspired by the writer Dashiell Hammett, famous for creating the literary detective Sam Spade. "I had seen the 1977 political drama "Julia" with Jane Fonda as writer Lillian Hellman. "She was then living with Dashiell Hammett, and I could hear her calling him: "Dash! Dash!" It just stuck in my head," she says.
Field's love for crime fiction is evident in her choice of pet names. "I think I've covered them all now just about," she says. "As I've gotten older, it's gotten more and more serious. And if I'm not reading it, I'm also listening to them" via Audible and other apps. "The actors that read them are so good," she adds. "I so appreciate them immensely, because if I'm doing stuff in the house, if I'm doing the dishes or I'm walking the dog or out doing some menial task, I'm always in some fabulous place and talking to them: "What, are you crazy?!" It's such wonderful entertainment."
But Dash is more than just a pet name; he's a symbol of the profound connections we can forge with the unexpected. "Dash "changed me because I never had a real, profound connection with a creature. So this story really linked to that," Field says. "I didn't know there was going to be a pandemic. No one told me it was coming!" This statement is a powerful reminder of the unexpected ways in which our lives can be transformed by the people and creatures around us.
In the end, the story of Dash and Marcellus is a testament to the power of storytelling and the unexpected connections we can forge. It's a reminder that, in the midst of chaos, we can find solace and inspiration in the most unlikely of companions. And that, perhaps, is the true magic of storytelling - the ability to connect us to the unexpected and the profound.
