A Bird of the Air (2011) User Reviews

I like this movie more than I like birds

[Saw-it-on-Tubi · 7/10 · 29 May 2019]

A man finds a bird and tracks down its previous owners with the help of a traveling librarian. This is an interesting story that kinda makes me want to check out the book it's based on. And I don't even like birds.

I feel like this movie takes a search for identity in a unique direction and pulls off the romantic subplot more successfully than other films I have seen in this tone.

My biggest complaint is the characterization of the female lead. She has a manic pixie dream girl vibe going, and at times she seems obnoxious for no reason. I never really felt like I understood her the way I understood Lyman. There's also some narration that doesn't feel needed; it's not very consistent and it doesn't go all the way through the film.

That being said, I think this films succeeds more than it fails. Seeing Lyman develop and interact with more and more people felt gratifying to watch.

Low Key, Quirky Fun

[sherilcarey · 7/10 · 21 May 2020]

There were a lot of good moments in this movie. But how to describe it overall? Perhaps it tried to be just a little bit slice of life and just a little bit stream of consciousness? The two leads each did a great job and they worked well together. I thought it was fairly well written. And the subtle humor moments were perfect! Pretending for a moment that I can tell for sure, I thought the directing, the editing, even the camera work were all mostly quite well done too.

On the rating, there was one sex scene that could have been (should have been) toned down. There's always something bizarre about our entertainment world and their ratings always trying to overtly sexualize kids. Why give 13 year olds a short snippet of a super sexualized moment to take notice of? Well there are a few obvious guesses, none of them good. Why for any of us across all ages? Most aren't after vicarious sex for a lovely, healthy sex life. There's naturally a lot of questioning across the land about the healthiness of relationships among those who think we all need a lot of vicarious sexuality. And there are a lot of face palms out here in the world.

Do not miss this gem.

[CMichaelLeeD · 9/10 · 22 September 2012]

I just can't say enough about this great little indie jewel. All the actors shine, the production values are superb and the normal compressions and compromises inherent in bringing a sparkling novel to the screen have been thoughtfully and artfully chosen. Sure, all we jaded film fans have seen it before, just not always this heartfelt and fun. This film left me wanting more, in the good way.

I highly recommend this for those who want to share a moving experience with someone special. Even better share this with someone you want to become special.

This film is virtually bereft of objectionable content. Younger children may become invested in characters that suffer the vicissitudes of temporal existence. There are some suggestive situations. Parents may want to preview the movie before sharing it with the family. That said, a very rewarding film. Highly recommended!

Follow that parrot

[profrabbit-1 · 10/10 · 3 October 2011]

I read a review of this film and was drawn to the story line, being an animal lover. A bird draws two unlikely people together. I thought this would be like Bringing Up Baby or What's Up Doc or other screwball comedy. I expected something wacky and cute. But it was so much more. Yes, it's antic, but the spiritual aspect totally caught me by surprise. The mystery of the bird represents the unfathomable forces which interlace peoples' paths and create love. Bird of the Air is witty and sweet and deftly directed. The two leads are presently unknown but it's easy to predict that will change. (And while the bird is awesome, the dog had me at first sight.)

Excellent adaptation; worth seeking out

[lor_ · 14 September 2011]

Character actress turned filmmaker Margaret Whitton demonstrates real directorial savvy with A BIRD OF THE AIR, an appealing dramedy adapted by Roger Towne ("The Natural") from Joe Coomer's 1992 novel THE LOOP. Indie production may be low-profile amongst the high-concept Hollywood product out there, but is a highly recommended movie.

Originally optioned by Oprah and later acquired by Matthew McConaughey as a vehicle for himself and post-SAHARA (but pre-Oscar) Penelope Cruz, Whitton's eventual version benefits from casting unknown leads.

Jackson Hurst toplines as Lyman, a handsome introvert with zero social skills, whose job is cleaning up the interstate in rural New Mexico by night, aiding stranded or injured motorists. A beautiful, flighty young librarian Fiona (winningly personified by Rachel Nichols) sets her romantic sights on Lyman, and a decidedly unconventional bond develops between the mismatched pair.

A couple of non-human characters balance and amplify the drama, as a parrot mysteriously flies into Lyman's trailer home one day, an aged, lost soul like our orphan hero. Fiona's basset hound is the other leading player, at first downright hostile to Lyman, but later helping to break down his protective shell.

Much of the narrative revolves around Lyman's quest to track down the previous owners of the parrot, while Fiona researches Lyman's own shady background. Director Whitton has cleverly distorted the voices of those owners to provide a voice for the humorously loquacious bird, whose pronouncements hint at the film's underlying themes.

Brief but telling character turns are provided by the succession of owners, all sympathetically acted by a diverse group of talents including Buck Henry, Judith Ivey and Phyllis Sommerville. Film buffs will also note a welcome (albeit fleeting) return to the screen by Anjanette Comer as Buck's wife. Also forceful in support is Linda Emond as a diner waitress who mothers Lyman and narrates the picture.

Flavorful but not showy lensing by Oscar-winner Philippe Rousselot is a plus, and the film remains offbeat without succumbing to the cutesy clichés that tempt so many indie efforts of late. Hurst is disarming as the central hunk, acting in a style reminiscent of early Harrison Ford (before he started taking himself a bit too seriously) and Nichols, in quite a turnabout after co-starring opposite CONAN THE BARBARIAN, is a radiant heroine.

Written by a Skin Walker

[chris-174-66562 · 1/10 · 1 December 2014]

Let me start by saying I have nothing against the actors in this movie, I'm sure they tried really hard, nor do I have a problem with the overall premise of the film. I do, however take offense to the writing. I mean, the female lead gets so traumatized after realizing that Captain Highway Guy (I think that was his name) sometimes has to mercy kill dogs that she cried in a corner, left him, and got a job in another town... Keep in mind, it was not her dog, she did not actually witness the shooting, and the dog was suffering. A normal functioning human would be able to shake the bummed out feeling off after such an experience. I'm convinced this writer is not a human and has never met one. The dialogue is forced and awkward. The scene where he meets the old man who owned his parrot as a child is cringe worthy. Is the old man supposed to be mentally handicapped or is it bad writing/acting? The climax comes when our titular Highway Hero is forced to prove his love of dogs by sacrificing himself for his love's pet and gets hit by a car... that's just... it just is, I don't even know. She then kidnaps him from the hospital while he's drugged and hauls him along on her journey to her family's house, roll credits. I am convinced this was written by a skin walking alien who was tasked with making a film about the so called Hoo-mans to be viewed at the space zoo's Earth exhibit.

Amazing film

[raz-276-478353 · 10/10 · 27 January 2012]

I seen your film in Gainesville, Georgia, through the Arts Council, before it made its premier. I thought it was a wonderful film. The story and characters were very believable. The range of emotions caught me by surprise, I realized that I was drawn into this endearing film. You feel the happiness, sadness, shock, loss, and amazement. It was thoroughly enjoyable. You learned the characters depth as the film progressed. The film presented itself on par with high budget films, very professional. The ending was a surprise and welcomed. I can hardly wait to buy it, I feel it is something I could watch many times over. Congratulations on a great film and wish you all the success for your hard work.

Fine story, Bad acting

[DandyBanana · 3/10 · 29 December 2019]

The premise was fine I guess but weird that the Diner lady was narrating & seemed like she was going to tell some fanciful tale but never did. The story seems to be that the guy basically got a smidge more sociable by the end of the movie. The male lead was actually a pretty good actor but the lead female was on my nerves from the get & it only got worse from there. She was super annoying, her acting was terrible & her hairstylist needs to be fired immediately. It was crazy distracting & I'm assuming she is nothing at all like her character in real life because she just could not pull it off period & that pretty much killed the entire movie for me & was hard to get through because of it.

nice

[Vincentiu · 12 August 2013]

and little more. a bird, a search and a couple. the story is, in same measure, adorable, credible, sweet and wise. a kind of parable about life beauty and sense. and a not little role for its success remains the work of Rachel Nichols and Jackson Hurst chemistry. a film with all spices who gives to its public joy and few crumbs of cinnamon. and a not bad script who creates interesting characters and gives precision to details and inspired rhythm to atmosphere. histories, humor, duty and love. in a perfect package. that is all. is it enough ? in this case, strange fact, the answer may be yes. only for few animals. and a green bird.

Indy Gem

[pzghhbas · 9/10 · 30 March 2022]

This film was a library recommendation and I liked it so much that I watched it twice before returning it. The dialogue pacing was near perfect and the chemistry seemed effortless between the leads and everybody now that I think of it. Cinematography spot on keeping the focus on on the actors including the animals. Lighthearted score kept the drama from being too much and the comedy grounded. Rachel Nichols nailed it. Jackson Hurst got the tune of his character perfect as well. The film gently engaged my emotions without me realizing it had. As the end of the movie approached I really did care what happed to the characters even fairly minor ones. It was a true pleasure to see Anjanette Comer who I have seen in decades and Buck Henry a classic. Once the film was over I wondered what happened next. Too bad it's too late to do a bad quirky series that would only last half a season but give fans like me little more of a good thing. Great job Ms Nichols, Mr Hurst and director Margaret Whitton (i think the only movies this gifted character actor directed). I do hope that you were all proud of this fine work.

Margie: They were talking hard. Like there was a fire somewhere, and only their words could put it out.

[bombersflyup · 10/10 · 19 February 2021]

A Bird of the Air is a splendid little film, with likable characters.

It's thin and the story's weak, but it has good dialogue. It also doesn't really go anywhere, but my smile remained. Rachel Nichols with a different type of role again, though good in all of them, this one's perfect. Nichols and Floyd adorable together.

Stupid story; BAD direction; charming male lead; obnoxious female lead

[jm10701 · 21 May 2018]

I have never before seen or even heard of either of the two lead actors. The male lead is sort of charming, and it would be nice to find out if his range extended into any other emotions as the story developed, or if he stayed locked in the same surly shyness all the way through. But the female lead is so unbelievably obnoxious that I couldn't get past about 25 minutes.

EVERY TIME she came on screen and opened her mouth or gave that stupid dimply smirk I cringed, and I wanted some berserk extra to run up and punch her very hard in the face. Nobody ever did, and I couldn't stand any more of her, so I stopped watching. It's not like I HAD to watch this movie.

It's amazing that such an obnoxious person ever got hired to be in anything, even a direct-to-video flop like this. I need to look up her name so I can be very sure never to see her again. Rachel Nichols. Yuck.