Music has the power to connect us. To comfort us. And ultimately, to help us heal. This is the thesis of Richard Janes’ Cricket, a touching film about finding triumph through tragedy. It also features a striking lead performance courtesy of Skye Dakota Turner (Respect).
Cricket (Turner) is a closed-off teen struggling with her mom Fran’s (Blythe Howard) losing bout with pancreatic cancer. Her father, Sully (James Black), tries to co-parent but solemnly accepts that he can’t correct the mistake that ended his marriage. Meanwhile, her brother Euwin (Faly Rakotohavana) faces a potential stint in juvie for repeated run-ins with the police. Cricket steals candles from a nearby chapel to cope with her mother’s passing. She’s caught by a choir director, Luc (Carlos Leal). After an abrasive meeting, Luc soon discovers Cricket has a knack for singing and pulling out his humanity.
The film’s plot could teeter into melodramatic in less capable hands. Fortunately, the script — written by Tameson Duffy and developed by Amy Janes — feels organic and meaningful. It also refrains from any overly dogmatic or preachy messaging, instead letting what unfolds on screen speak for itself. Every character has a compelling hook. Turner and Leal’s chemistry is akin to what we saw between Paul Giamatti and Dominic Sessa in Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers.
Heart-wrenching and heartwarming moments define Cricket. One painful scene sees Cricket’s mother celebrate her cancer’s remission, only for it to later return in a far more advanced state. Sully attempts to reconcile with her, only to remember he crossed a line he can’t return from. Similarly, Cricket regularly refers to herself as “nothing” and “average,” only coming around to her talent when the stone-hearted Luc finally admits that he, too, struggles with loss.
Even if the film feels stilted at times, it pushes past this with breathtaking vocal performances. Turner, coached by Deonna Marie, showcases a natural talent she expertly dials back to emphasize her character’s development. The film also features many of the best, young choral singers in Oklahoma. Their work is enough to engage by itself. But as an accent to Cricket, it makes for an utterly entertaining experience.
Despite how uplifting the film is, it carefully recognizes that happiness often comes with caveats. As Cricket finds a love for her burgeoning musical craft, her grades begin to stumble. Sully eventually reconciles with Fran. Unfortunately, it’s tragically too late for them to rebuild their lives. And Euwin explores his artistic expression through murals, albeit as a mechanism to cope with loss. Ultimately, Cricket recognizes sadness and happiness eternally beget one another in a beautiful, eternal melody.
It’s worth noting Cricket existed only as a script for over two decades. While powerful, the timeless tale bounced around without a clear commitment until it was discovered by Amy and Richard Janes. It begs the question: How many moving films have we lost, never to be made or even known? Fortunately, we don’t have to wonder about that with Cricket.
For more on Cricket, listen to our podcast interview with Deonna Marie. Find more deadCenter 2024 coverage like this only at The Cinematropolis.
