Watch Blackbird

Blackbird is a powerful and emotional drama that explores the themes of love, loss, and family. Starring Hollywood heavyweights Susan Sarandon and Sam Neill, alongside rising star Anson Boon, the film takes the audience on a journey through the complex and intimate relationships between family members as they face a challenging situation together.

The film centers around Lily (Sarandon), a woman suffering from a terminal illness who decides to bring her family together for one last weekend in her beautiful country house by the sea. Her husband, Paul (Neill), her two daughters, Jennifer (Kate Winslet) and Anna (Mia Wasikowska), and Jennifer's husband, Michael (Rainn Wilson), arrive to spend a final weekend with her.

As the family gathers, tensions rise quickly. Anna arrives with her new partner, Chris (Boon), who is only a few years older than Jennifer's teenage son, Jonathan (Anson Boon). Jennifer, who has a strained relationship with Anna, struggles to come to terms with Anna's sexuality and her new partner's presence in the family home. Michael, a recovering alcoholic, also adds to the mix of tensions with his desire to fix everything despite his own struggles with addiction.

Despite the underlying tension and conflict, the family tries to make the best of their time together. They reminisce about old memories, play games, argue, and share tears and laughter. As the weekend progresses, they gradually confront the reality of the situation and the inevitability of Lily's passing. Each member copes differently and has their own reservations and regrets.

The performances in Blackbird are captivating, with Sarandon giving a standout performance as Lily, a fierce and strong-willed woman who is determined to make the most of her remaining time. Neill provides a steady and supportive presence as her husband, Paul, who tries to hold the family together despite the emotional rollercoaster they are all experiencing. Winslet and Wasikowska are excellent as the two daughters, each struggling to deal with their own personal issues and unresolved family tensions.

Boon also gives an impressive performance as Chris, Anna's new partner, who is brave, loving, and determined to be there for Anna and the family, providing a source of stability and hope in the midst of the family's turmoil.

One of the strengths of Blackbird is its ability to balance the tense and emotional moments with moments of levity, humor, and warmth. Director Roger Michell is able to create a sense of intimacy and closeness between the characters, making the audience feel as though they too are a part of the family.

The cinematography is breathtaking, with stunning landscapes and seascapes that are used to great effect, providing a poetic and meditative backdrop to the story. The music is also exceptional, with haunting melodies that reflect the emotional depth of the story.

Overall, Blackbird is a deeply moving and thought-provoking film that explores the complexities of family dynamics and the challenges of dealing with loss and grief. It is a must-see for anyone who appreciates powerful and moving drama that touches the heart and leaves a lasting impression.

Blackbird is a 2020 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 53.