 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Birds of America
- Review Date: October 20, 2008
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Dark comedy has shining moments, adult themes.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that themes of suicide, promiscuous sexual behavior, and drug use are tossed around rather casually in this straight-to-DVD dark comedy. One character has sex in the car with a hitchhiker and three siblings bond while smoking pot and drinking.
What's the story?
Morrie Tanager (Matthew Perry) has been bequeathed the family home and the role of its patriarch. He has had to raise his younger brother Jay (Ben Foster) and sister, Ida (Ginnifer Goodwin) since he was 18 years old. Now in his 30s, and striving for tenure at the university, Morrie is forced to run the family once more when the loony siblings come home to roost. Jay was found lying in the street wearing only a hospital gown, while Ida has been having sex with hitchhikers whom she picks up on her way to photography assignments. When Jay is accused by the police of "touching" a little girl, Morrie finds that his job and his marriage are threatened, and he begins to unravel.
Is it any good?
Though released directly to DVD, BIRDS OF AMERICA has a perky pace and some laugh-out-loud moments. The performances in this movie are taught and intelligent. Morrie's wife, Betty (Lauren Graham of Gilmore Girls) and the neighbor's wife (Hilary Swank) play wonderful straight women to the wacky Tanager bunch.
The three Tanager siblings bring a sense of intimacy to their performances, lending credence to their family ties. Their family bonding through alcohol and pot may be another symptom of dysfunction, but it's more believable for who these characters are. Mature audiences who like dark comedies and quirky family dynamics will get the most out of this renter.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about holding on too tightly to rules versus hanging on very loosely. How has Morrie suffered by taking on too much responsibility? How have Ida and Jay suffered by blaming others? How do they reconcile their differences? What are their family boundaries like? What could they do better?
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- Teens & kids
Kid, 12 years old
August 11, 2010
AGE
rated r is rated 17?
i agree with you
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Kid, 11 years old
August 11, 2010
AGE
rated r is rated 17?
i agree with you
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | First Look Pictures |
| Director: | Craig Lucas |
| Cast: | Hilary Swank, Lauren Graham, Matthew Perry |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 85 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 20, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | October 21, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | language, some sexuality and brief drug use. |
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