Birds of America (2008)

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.

Director:

Craig Lucas

Writer:

Elyse Friedman

Stars:

Matthew Perry, Ben Foster, Ginnifer Goodwin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matthew Perry	...	Morrie
Ben Foster	...	Jay
Ginnifer Goodwin	...	Ida
Lauren Graham	...	Betty Tanager
Zoë Kravitz	...	Gillian
Hilary Swank	...	Laura
Gary Wilmes	...	Paul
Daniel Eric Gold	...	Gary
Stacie Theon	...	Ellen Thomas
Lindsay Allen	...	Roller-Blading Girl
Tom Pelphrey	...	Hitchhiker
Will Toale	...	Young Male Cop
Vivien Kells	...	Sleeping Girl (as Vivien Kells O'Brien)
Keith McDermott	...	Man in Street
Marisa Zalabak	...	Woman in Street

Storyline

When Morrie was a teenager, his parents died, leaving him a house, an irritable bowel, and siblings Jay and Ida to raise. Jump ahead 20 years: Jay is homeless, fits poorly into society, and was recently injured; Ida is jobless and sleeps with strangers; Morrie is married to the long-suffering Betty who is waiting for Morrie to get tenure before having children. They constantly have to kiss up to their holier-than-thou neighbors, one of whom is Morrie's department head. Morrie brings Jay home to recover, Ida decides to visit, the siblings make the neighbors ill at ease, a strange woman visits, and the cops want to talk to Jay. What about Morrie's irritated bowels?

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Plot Keywords:

hitchhiker | police | sense of touch | undressing | bird in title | 

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Taglines:

Some families defy classification

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, some sexuality and brief drug use

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 February 2010 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

The Laws of Motion

Filming Locations:

Darien, Connecticut, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Plum Pictures, iDeal Partners Film Fund, Hanson Allen Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min 89 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Jay: People need to be jolted.
Morrie: No, people need to be comforted, and you don't comfort them by satisfying your own curiosity about breaking down boundaries and rules. Some people really like their rules, they've chosen them, and you don't get to choose what rules other people obey or not; they do.

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Connections

References Columbo (1971)

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Soundtracks

"Color of Your Blues"
Written by Money Mark (as Mark Ramos Nishita)
Performed by Money Mark

User Reviews

Right ingredients, but

The movie has really good actors (even Hillary Swank in a very small role, which might come as a surprise to some, because it really does not have really value to it) and some would compare it to movies like Sunshine Cleaning, Little Miss Sunshine and others. If you like those you'll probably feel that this movie might be something for you.

I actually would like to compare it to the TV Show "Six Feet Under". And if I (and you) do that, than in comparison this lacks quite a bit. The dysfunctional, but still kinda working family thing has worked better there. And almost every episode is better than the movie is as a whole. So if you want good drama, watch Six Feet Under if you haven't already.

The movie itself isn't bad, but a few things just don't work out. Like the relationship between Matthew Perry and his wife. While things are being said and shown, there is nothing to ground those things. On the other hand there are a few scenes that are genuine and very good. Like the "foot" thing. That is very good observation. Or an ad-lib from Matthew Perry, where he's doing the exact same thing his brother did 3 or 4 times. And while it could have been an annoying and plain stupid scene, Matthew elevates it with his choice and adds an extra flavour to it.

Those scenes are few and far between though and cannot entirely save the movie. Still not a complete waste of course