It was surprising a movie starring Daisy Ridley and Ben Mendelsohn based on a hit book just came and went last year. Now that I’ve had a chance to see The Marsh King’s Daughter on Blu-ray it becomes more apparent why.
Ridley plays the survivor of a kidnapping. Mendelsohn plays the Marsh King who was arrested for the kidnapping but escapes now that she has a new identity and family.
Even though the premise lends itself to remote setting and minimal cast, it just feels like it’s trying to cover up a lack of resources. Even by the standards of other nature movies, this one feels more sparse and less engaged.
I haven’t read the book so I don’t know how faithful it is. But the movie seems like it’s pared down to cliff notes of abuse and trauma. Then there’s a contrived Hollywood resolution.
It doesn’t look particularly good on Blu-ray either. Digital makes the marsh just look muddy.
To their credit, the cast and filmmakers seem sincere and invested in a 20 minute behind the scenes feature. Neil Burger speaks to his intentions and technique in his director’s commentary, so your mileage may vary as to how he succeeded.