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Birds of America

  • 20082008
  • RR
  • 1h 25m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
5.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • IMDbPro
Birds of America (2008)
Home Video Trailer from First Look
Play trailer1:16
1 Video
4 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama

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.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.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.

IMDb RATING
6.0/10
5.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Craig Lucas
  • Writer
    • Elyse Friedman
  • Stars
    • Matthew Perry
    • Ben Foster
    • Ginnifer Goodwin
Top credits
  • Director
    • Craig Lucas
  • Writer
    • Elyse Friedman
  • Stars
    • Matthew Perry
    • Ben Foster
    • Ginnifer Goodwin
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 20User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Birds of America
    Trailer 1:16
    Birds of America

    Photos

    Birds of America (2008)
    Matthew Perry, Ben Foster, Hilary Swank, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Lauren Graham in Birds of America (2008)
    Matthew Perry, Ben Foster, Hilary Swank, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Lauren Graham in Birds of America (2008)
    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Matthew Perry
    Matthew Perry
    • Morrieas Morrie
    Ben Foster
    Ben Foster
    • Jayas Jay
    Ginnifer Goodwin
    Ginnifer Goodwin
    • Idaas Ida
    Lauren Graham
    Lauren Graham
    • Betty Tanageras Betty Tanager
    Zoë Kravitz
    Zoë Kravitz
    • Gillianas Gillian
    Hilary Swank
    Hilary Swank
    • Lauraas Laura
    Gary Wilmes
    Gary Wilmes
    • Paulas Paul
    Daniel Eric Gold
    Daniel Eric Gold
    • Garyas Gary
    Stacie Theon
    Stacie Theon
    • Ellen Thomasas Ellen Thomas
    Lindsay Allen
    • Roller-Blading Girlas Roller-Blading Girl
    Tom Pelphrey
    Tom Pelphrey
    • Hitchhikeras Hitchhiker
    Will Toale
    • Young Male Copas Young Male Cop
    Vivien Kells
    • Sleeping Girlas Sleeping Girl
    • (as Vivien Kells O'Brien)
    Keith McDermott
    Keith McDermott
    • Man in Streetas Man in Street
    Marisa Zalabak
    • Woman in Streetas Woman in Street
    Katrin Redfern
    Katrin Redfern
    • Neighbor on Phoneas Neighbor on Phone
    Donald John Hewitt
    Donald John Hewitt
    • Professor in Hallwayas Professor in Hallway
    • (as Don Hewitt Jr.)
    Joanne Lamstein
    Joanne Lamstein
    • Protective Motheras Protective Mother
    • (as Joanne Lumstein)
    • Director
      • Craig Lucas
    • Writer
      • Elyse Friedman
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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? —<jhailey@hotmail.com>
    • female rear nudity
    • neighbor
    • tenure
    • wedding photograph
    • slip and fall
    • 142 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Some families defy classification
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for language, some sexuality and brief drug use
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Celebrated: Hilary Swank (2015)
    • Soundtracks
      Sad Song
      Written and Performed by Fredo Viola

    User reviews20

    Review
    Top review
    5/10
    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
    helpful•3
    0
    • kosmasp
    • Aug 3, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 26, 2010 (Mexico)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Laws of Motion
    • Filming locations
      • Darien, Connecticut, USA
    • Production companies
      • Plum Pictures
      • iDeal Partners Film Fund
      • Hanson Allen Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $150,278
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 25 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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