Bird

“BIRD focuses on BAILEY (Nykiya Adams) a teen-aged girl of mixed race, living with her single father, and half brother in less than ideal conditions. Her father, who has custody over her, is betting on the psychotropic effects of toad slime to raise the money to marry his girlfriend, against Bailey’s wishes, and her brother and his friends are involved in some shady dealings themselves, allegedly in the name of justice, that Bailey wants to be part of despite her youth and her gender. Her mom is romantically involved with a real winner of a chap, and has to contend with a posse of children who Bailey tries to help out as well.

“When Bailey meets the intriguingly-named Bird, whose movements, mannerisms, and personality are nothing like she has ever really encountered before, she is quickly drawn in, despite her tough facade and dismissive response to Bird’s attempts to reach out. But even while Bailey decides to help Bird find his parents, it is she who ends up needing Bird’s assistance when things grow dangerous with her mom’s beau.

“To say any more would give away too much, but there are so many reasons to recommend BIRD. The acting is superb… Adams being a definite breakout contender in her role as Bailey. The way she observes the world around her is compelling and absorbing. Franz Rogowski enjoying such a great arc of terrific roles, and his portrayal of the title character is perfect. and Barry Keoghan, also on quite a run, brings humor, and both warmth and annoyance as Baileys’ dad. Arnold’s integration of the natural world is fascinating and curiously brings in elements of COW to BIRD’s street-level story. and the camera-work is outstanding. Each of Arnold’s films just continues to fascinate and intrigue me. I look forward to the roll-out and response to BIRD. 4 1/2 cats

“Screened at the iffBoston’s Fall Focus”