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Rare Birds is a 2001 comedy-drama film set in a remote Newfoundland town. It stars William Hurt, Andy Jones, and Molly Parker in lead roles. The film is directed by Sturla Gunnarsson and based on the novel by Edward Riche. The film follows the life of Dave (William Hurt), a restauranteur who is struggling to keep his business afloat. His restaurant is located in a small town that is isolated from the rest of the world. As a result, getting new customers is difficult for him. His only hope of survival lies in creating a new, unique dish that will attract people to his restaurant.

One day, Dave's best friend and next-door neighbor Phonse (Andy Jones) comes up with a crazy idea that may save Dave's business. He suggests that they stage a sighting of a rare bird, the Labrador Duck, in the nearby bay. This is a bird that was believed to be extinct in the late 19th century. If people hear about the sighting, Dave and Phonse could potentially draw in a large crowd of birdwatchers and foodies alike.

To accomplish their goal, Dave and Phonse team up with Alice (Molly Parker), a waitress at the restaurant. Alice is also an amateur actress, and she helps the duo stage the sighting of the bird. They use props and special effects to create the illusion that the bird is real, and they also involve the local media in their plan to make the news go viral.

However, things don't go as planned, and the trio finds themselves in a lot of trouble. When their plan to stage the sighting of the bird draws too much attention, they must work together to cover their tracks and save their reputations.

The movie is an engaging and heartwarming comedy-drama that explores the themes of friendship, love, and perseverance. It portrays the enduring friendship between Dave and Phonse, and their mutual desire to save their business. The film also explores the romantic relationship between Dave and Alice, who find themselves drawn to each other as they work together to stage the sighting of the bird.

The performances by the lead actors are outstanding, particularly William Hurt's portrayal of Dave. Hurt manages to bring the right balance of vulnerability and strength to his character, making him relatable and likable to the audience. Andy Jones is also excellent as Dave's friend and neighbor, Phonse. He brings a sense of humor and light-heartedness to the film, which complements Hurt's more serious character.

The film's cinematography is stunning, with breathtaking visuals of the Newfoundland landscape. The remote location creates a sense of isolation and loneliness that underscores the characters' struggles.

Overall, Rare Birds is a charming and delightful movie that will make you laugh and warm your heart. It's a film that's worth watching, particularly for its touching portrayal of the power of friendship and the resilience of the human spirit.

Rare Birds is a 2001 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 60.