Watch A Bird of the Air
- PG-13
- 2011
- 1 hr 38 min
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6.6 (1,378)
A Bird of the Air is a heartwarming and quirky romantic comedy from 2011, directed by Margaret Whitton, and starring Rachel Nichols and Jackson Hurst. The movie is based on a novel by Joe Coomer, "The Loop", and it was well-received for its depiction of unconventional love and its charming characters. The story follows Lyman (Hurst), a solitary and oddball librarian, who becomes entranced by a talking parrot that lands up at the library one day. The parrot, which Lyman names "Breslin", proves to be a puzzle for Lyman, who is fascinated by the bird's origin and its enigmatic phrases. One day, Fiona (Nichols), an alluring and free-spirited woman with a mysterious past, enters the library and catches Lyman's eye. She also takes an interest in Breslin and helps Lyman in his quest to find out more about the parrot. Fiona teaches Lyman to loosen up, have fun, and not be afraid of his feelings. But as their quirky relationship blossoms, Fiona's secrets come to light, and Lyman must decide if he can accept her for who she truly is.
The chemistry between Nichols and Hurst is engaging and refreshing, and their quirky characters complement each other perfectly. Nichols delivers a standout performance, capturing Fiona's free spirit and complicated past with nuance and depth. Hurst's Lyman, on the other hand, is charmingly offbeat and endearing with his love for books and Breslin.
Anjanette Comer's portrayal of Lyman's neighbor, Mrs. Pilcher, is also noteworthy. She provides a comic relief, often spying on Lyman from her porch and offering him advice, however strange. While the relationship between Fiona and Lyman forms the main storyline of the movie, the other characters add depth to the movie and make it feel like a small community.
The movie is set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the director uses the city's landscapes, including its highways, desolate stretches of land, and sprawling sky, to create a sense of isolation and loneliness in Lyman's life. The multiple aerial shots of Breslin flying here and there across the deserts add to this feeling of exploration, and also serve to show the expanse and beauty of the surrounding areas.
One of the most remarkable things about the movie is how it portrays love. Rather than portraying love as an emotion of passion and drama, A Bird of the Air shows that love can be found in the small things- in the random connections we make with people and animals, in the laughter shared over a cup of coffee, or in the comfort of a good book. The movie also shows that love can be complicated, and sometimes, it requires acceptance rather than change.
The movie's soundtrack is also impressive, using indie folk music to underscore the themes of exploration and self-discovery in the movie. The soundtrack features songs by artists such as Gregory Alan Isakov and The Low Anthem, and its melancholic yet hopeful tone perfectly complements the movie's visuals.
Overall, A Bird of the Air is a charming and feel-good movie that will leave viewers with a warm feeling. With its unconventional love story, engaging characters, and stunning visuals, A Bird of the Air is a hidden gem of a movie that deserves to be watched and appreciated.
A Bird of the Air is a 2011 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 42.