Blackbird

Greetings again from the darkness. Even though death is imminent for each of us, we don't all get the opportunity to say goodbye to loved ones. For those who do, it may not go as smoothly as they'd imagined. This is especially true if they are choosing to end things on their own terms due to a terminal illness. Roger Michell (NOTTING HILL, 1999; VENUS, 2006) directs this remake of the 2014 Danish film SILENT HEART (directed by Bille August), both written by Christian Torpe.

Family matriarch Lily (Oscar winner Susan Sarandon) has a terminal illness, and has arranged for the family to return home for one final get-together. See, Lily, with the assistance of her doting doctor husband Paul (Sam Neill) is planning to 'go' on her own terms, while it's still physically possible for her to take the medicinal potion. "Death with dignity", or euthanasia, is becoming a more frequent topic in films and conversation, despite still being illegal in most states. Of course, the legal and moral questions are heavily debated, but when it's a family member, it's the emotions that heat up.

First to arrive is eldest daughter Jennifer (Oscar winner Kate Winslet) and her husband Michael (Rainn Wilson, "The Office") and their son Jonathan (Anson Boon, CRAWL). Kate is the uptight, demanding type who is always judging others - including her nerdy well-meaning husband, and her free-spirited son. The younger daughter Anna (Mia Wasikowska) arrives with her partner Chris (Bex Taylor-Klaus, "The Killing"), and it's immediately clear that Jennifer and Anna are personality opposites (with some baggage), and that Anna is carrying an unspoken burden. Last to arrive is long-time family friend Liz (Lindsay Duncan), who is so close to Lily and Paul, that the family photographs show her on many family vacations and events over the years.

This has the look and feel of a stage presentation, as most of the scenes are filled with dialogue and occur within the confines of the stunning east coast home, apparently designed by Lily. There is a family walk along the beach and dunes, but most of the run time is filled with interpersonal interactions - some pleasant, some not pleasant at all. In fact, an early (by a couple of months) Christmas family dinner is sprinkled with pot smoking and emotional outbursts. It turns out, not surprisingly, that some of the secrets previously kept, find their way out into the open causing a few bumps in Lily's farewell weekend.

The complexities of family dynamics are amplified in this situation. Who is ready and who isn't, and why, becomes a topic of multiple discussions. We never really learn the meaning of the film's title, but we do enjoy the work of so many fine actors. You might recall Susan Sarandon played a dying woman more than 20 years ago in STEPMOM (1998), and this movie blends two memorable and recent films: FRANKIE with Isabelle Huppert, and HERE AWHILE with Anna Camp. Saying goodbye is never easy, but it sure beats missing the chance.

Having lived through a similar experience myself, this film does a wonderful job of representing the various facets of a family as the beloved mother comes to the end of her terminal illness. Intensely painfully real. A must see.

I like to respect opinions, but for the past years, I've seen a lot of "purists" rating a movie with 1,2,3 stars just because "the original" was better... Sometimes it's a justified oppinion, (The Grudge, for example) but this is starting to be a trend, not an exception.

Personal opinion, for the ones who care: it's a good movie, a somewhat fresh subject and good for spending a Saturday night in front of the TV, wondering what would you do if you where in anyone of the character's shoes.

Cliché? Yes. American take? Yes. Enjoyable? Of course! Let's be honest... How many times did a Shakespeare play (original or adapted) had an opening night? In that case, would you go to the theatre? Yes? No?... Just curious 😏

A really movieg film. Some could blame it to be too much "into your face" but it still moved me to the core as it Made me asking how I would handle a situation like that and the more you think about it the more it depresses you. But in a good way as the film's story really challenges you with morality and along with that tells a great story about love and family bonding. The acting is superb. Susan Sarandon finally gets to show in a great huge role again and she really nails it. She adds a lot of sarcasm to it which helps the make her character appealing and convincing, especially considering the struggle she has inside her. Kate Winslet is very calm here and leaves the field for Sarandon. Winslet has some really good moments and built her character well. Mia Wasikowska has the juicier role and is good, too. I loved Sam Neill whose characters tries everything to make the atmosphere positive and hold everything together. Good support by Lindsay Duncan as well. A very intimate film by Roger Michell and a film that deserves much more attention than it received. Yes, it leaves you depressed. And yes it leaves you with a lot of questions but important ones. Really moving and well acted ensemble piece.

First of all I will say that this film and the characters are full of privilege. That she is able to summon her family to this beautiful scenery and enormous house and her husband, the Dr, can facilitate this for her...that is some wealthy privilege. But if you put that aside (I tried) it does ask some really important questions about quality of life and dignity in death. Why can't we choose the manner and time of our passing if we know it is near? If we want to retain some control in a life of uncertainty. Why have a funeral full of people with regrets and words not spoken? Say those last words. Have a good bye. On your terms. I think we should be going this way as a society so I'm glad this movie showed it as a positive. Very well acted, especially all the women.