A trip is naturally predictable. Somebody is going somewhere. Nonetheless, unpredicted things might happen in the way. It's pretty much like life. We are born and we are going to die, a certainty, but what will happen in our journey is a mystery.
That's why Free Byrd has a cohesive plot. It's a road movie with life's uncertainties as the main theme. It invites audience to reflect about death, dreams, relashionships and other universal themes through the characters' travel.
Jay Butler (Randy Nazarian), an elderly house van driver, must take Harry Byrd (Raymond J. Barry), an obstinate elder to another institution. Harry is not happy with moving and doesn't let things easy for Jay. Byrd's stubbornnesss causes changes in their plans and lives...
It's a simple plot and the screenplay is not pretentious either. Less is more sometimes and I liked the writing. The adventure is nice and the obstacles make sense. Jay, Harry, Aunt Evelyn and Charles Byrd are great characters.
In the other hand, I felt a lack of character development regarding the kittenettes (with the exception of Red), Jay's kids and Harry's daughters.
Some 5 or 10 screen minutes add to the runtime could improve this aspect and help with the pacing. The beginning and the end seemed quite hurried.
About the acting, I was delighted by Randy Nazarian performance, his Jay is very charismatic and believable. Raymond J. Barry did a great job in portraying Byrd's transformation throughout the journey. Besides, their interactions were adorable. Bettina Devin steals the attention in her scenes as Aunt Evelyn, she is terrific. Also, Bob Turton made Chucky a well done villain.
The locations were well thought out. They give the trip feeling that makes road movies special. Ryan Castaneda did a good job with the cinematography.
Dan Radlauer made the landscapes more moving with his beautiful scores. He also helped a lot with the scenes atmosphere: comic, dramatic and adventurous.
Free Byrd is enjoyable, like its name, but should be classified as a dramatic comedy to give viewers a more accurate expectation on it.
