Birds of America (2008)

Director:

Craig Lucas

Writer (WGA):

Elyse Friedman (written by)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Some families defy classification

Plot:

A regular guy struggles with a repressive home and professional life, as well as making amends for the trouble his free-spirited brother and sister cause about town. |

Plot Keywords:

Siblings | Family

Cast

Ginnifer Goodwin	...	Ida
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lindsay Allen	...	Roller Girl
Peter Conboy	...	Man on street
Ben Foster	...	Jay
Jennifer Gargano	...	Student
Daniel Eric Gold	...	Gary
Lauren Graham	...	Betty Tanager
Brandon Hanson	...	Roger
Vivien Kells	...	Angela
Zoë Kravitz	...	Gillian
Tom Pelphrey	...	The Passenger
Matthew Perry	...	Morrie
Katrin Redfern	...	Neighbor on phone
Hilary Swank	...	Laura
Stacie Theon	...	Ellen Thomas
Gary Wilmes	...	Paul

Also Known As:

The Laws of Motion (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

USA:89 min (Sundance Film Festival)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Filming Locations:

Darien, Connecticut, USA

Company:

Accomplice Films

Odd Birds. Good Eggs.

You might be getting a little tired of movies about dysfunctional families. I know I am. I think I've seen at least three at Sundance this year. But Birds of America manages to break the mold and feel fresh and alive from the outset, delivering a warm, funny, zany, tender and compassionate film that left the audience smiling and satisfied.

Morrie (Matthew Perry) is an uptight university professor anxiously seeking tenure, which requires the approval of his department head, who lives next door. Morrie and his wife Betty (Lauren Graham—Gilmore Girls) live in a house he inherited at 18 years old after his mother died and his father committed suicide. As a result, Morrie raised his brother Jay (Ben Foster) and sister Ida (Ginnifer Goodwin), both of which grew into their problems. Ida is substance-abusing and promiscuous, and Jay a deeply gentle and sensitive soul whose actions are almost completely unfettered by advanced thought. They reunite in the family home when Jay gets run over by a car (he was laying in the road) and Morrie, who still feels more parent than brother, asks him to move in for a while. Without asking permission, Jay invites Ida to join them, stressing Morrie and Betty's relationship and jeopardizing his career with their outrageous behavior.

Matthew Perry is surprisingly good in his deadpan portrayal of an overwrought brother who cares deeply for his siblings, often at his own expense. Goodwin is a pleasure as well, as the addictive personality with the carefree spirit. But Ben Foster (3:10 to Yuma) is great, and despite having such a naturally funny role, manages to never play Jay for laughs, creating an endearing and memorable character. Growing up without parents, these three have formed an unbreakable bond, with unconditional love and acceptance, and a tenderness and compassion unlike any I can remember in movies. Elyse Friedman has crafted a remarkable script, and Sundance veteran director Craig Lucas (Secret Lives of Dentists, The Dying Gaul) brings it to life with a funny but light-hearted and gentle touch.