A Bird of the Air

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.)

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.

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.

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.

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.