By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4.875 cats
Director: Andrea Arnold
Starring: Barry Keoghan | Franz Rogowski | Jasmine Jobson | Jason Buda | Nykiya Adams
Year: 2024
Running time: 119
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28277817/reference/
Brett says: “Director Andrea Arnold transforms the ordinary once again with her latest feature BIRD. The story is thoroughly character-focused, set in a dismal rundown part of regional England. True to her directorial form, however, there is a sense of wonder or untapped beauty in the dingy and grimy location in which the film is set.
“The story centers on Bailey, a 12-year-old who lives with her not-much-older father in a far-from-desirable set of conditions. However, Arnold is careful not to let the film become judgmental, even though the circumstances are bleak. It is more of an open window for the audience to come and go as if a bird peering in from the safety of the clouds. The film offers plenty of those metaphorical parallels to operate in the script as well. Bailey seems to see something in the natural world, most commonly with birds–as one might expect from the title. Although, the nods to such transcendental connections are not heavy-handed. They feel incomplete, much like the contrasting familial and neighborhood surroundings by which Bailey is encapsulated, or trapped even. There must be more to either world, but what?
“A chance encounter on the outskirts of the suburbs leads to a connection with an adult gentleman simply known as Bird. He is a wonder to both Bailey and audience alike. Her bewilderment here is akin to that of her mesmerization with the natural word. Bird does not seem to operate by the deterministic and claustrophobic forces of her life, and this seems to be core aspect that draws her to him.
“The film could very well be described as a rare entry in the genre of ‘magical naturalism.’ Many are familiar with the magical realism genre, but the fatalist driving force of city and home life that attempts to erode viewers’ tendencies toward optimism slides it ever so slightly more toward a Theodore Dreiser-esque naturalism shadow. These deterministic realities of Bailey and her situation are contrasted with a point-of-view and series of circumstances that operate outside the bounds of these disheartening certainties. Remarkably, this unique genre twist is not overly stylized or too far outside the realm of the given circumstances. This is one of the films finest accomplishments: the core environment is sustained even with the quiet jaunts into a sort of pseudo-fantasy.
“The cast of characters expands as Bailey’s coming-of-age story progresses. Each new character adds an extra dimension to the conditions in Bailey’s life and bringing extra sincere layers that, again, do not judge but also do not go the other extreme and preach with lofty themes. Understated and careful, this achievement of tonal balance with the ability to still offer extreme insight is where the treasure lies for the film. 5 cats out of 5“
Michael says: “Andrea Arnold has had a really interesting career, including the features, RED ROAD, FISH TANK, WUTHERING HEIGHTS, AMERICAN HONEY, and her most recent, the documentary COW. With BIRD she brings back some of her successful tropes — young women in blue collar, broken families, and brings in a strong magical realism component that frankly shocked me, but ended up being a strong addition to the director’s repertoire.
“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”