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.
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Title: Birds of America (2008)
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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 | |
|
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Will Toale | ... | Young Male Cop |
|
|
Vivien Kells | ... | Sleeping Girl (as Vivien Kells O'Brien) |
| Keith McDermott | ... | Man in Street | |
|
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Marisa Zalabak | ... | Woman in Street |
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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? Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>
Plot Keywords:
neighbor | tenure | wedding photograph | slip and fall | spooning nude |Taglines:
Some families defy classificationMotion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for language, some sexuality and brief drug use | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
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Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
26 February 2010 (Mexico) See more »Also Known As:
The Laws of Motion See more »Company Credits
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|Sound Mix:
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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 GrahamGilmore 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.