White Bird: Une histoire merveilleuse

I came in with lowered expectations, but this film absolutely blew me away!

This film was very well-paced, and I found myself fully invested in the development of the main characters. The developments felt honest and meaningful, not just shallow or simply there to further the plot. The main theme of the story, one of human kindness, was well portrayed, and even though we got hints and foreshadow, I was still surprised and gut-wrenched when the plot unfolded. I was very impressed by the acting, especially among the younger roles. The emotional maturity of one of the characters caught me off guard. I didn't expect myself to be so emotionally impacted by this film.

This film is one that everyone, young and old, need to watch. No matter your opinions, we all need to be impacted by the genuine, heart-reaching kindness displayed so effectively in this story. I ugly cried quite a bit after the film, feeling deep sorrow over the enmity prevalent today. I hope this movie impacts you just as deeply.

Back in 2017, a movie called WONDER (based on the 2012 book by R. J Palacio) came out, about a disfigured young boy going to public school for the first time. I actually just watched it. I really liked how they showed the story through a few characters' perspectives. Keeping with that trend, a sort-of sequel kind of spinoff has been released called WHITE BIRD (based on the 2019 graphic novel from the same author). Don't worry, you don't have to have seen WONDER to understand what's going on. This is about Julien (Bryse Gheisar), an ex-school bully who is getting a taste of his own medicine at a new preppy school. He gets a visit from his grandmother Sara (Hellen Miren), who tells him a story of her past. In 1942 France, a young Sara (Ariella Glaser) is forced into hiding from the Nazis, taken in by a classmate named Julien (Orlando Schwerdt), who has a lame leg due to polio. Him and his parents (played by Gillian Anderson and Jo Stone-Fewings) hide her in their barn. This is a good movie. The performances of the two leads are great and sparking with chemistry. I was pretty stressed throughout the experience due to the circumstances. It does have an "Anne Frank" vibe, but it's done well here. In dark times, sometimes all we need is kindness and hope. It's a little heavy-handed in some parts, but a very solid film. Remember, kindness can change somebody's life.

It is a beautiful story. I read the book and cried at the end. I literally started sobbing at the end of the movie, then I would sit and I would think about it again and start balling again. It was done wonderfully. Exactly like the book. I would definitely recommend. Even just the cinematography and acting skill was just impeccable. They did an excellent job of keeping the story just how the author wrote it. Even the chemistry of the actors was amazing. They didn't try to change the story or clip parts of it out. I also thought it was so neat who it was connected to WONDER. Julian the bully in it grew up and hear the story of his grandmother. Just beautiful.

About a month ago, after watching the trailer, I did not feel I was in the mood for this movie. It seemed like another movie about cruelty and perseverance. Today, I noticed Helen Mirren and Gillian Anderson were in the cast so I chose it.

The cinematography, set design, costume and all those things we only notice if there is something wrong was just perfect. Orlando Schwerdt, Mirren, Anderson and the evil of Jim Mathews were all spectacular performances. Narrated by Mirren, this movie was a must see for anyone specially if they have kids entering any school.

The landscape of this beautiful French town questions my sanity of why I don't travel enough. Overall, this is a story about kindness and the lack of it. The pressure of trying to fit in and being afraid; not understanding what true strength really is. Since Mirren was also in the present, I felt safe watching the story unfold because she would survive. I wish it could have been presented a tiny bit differently so this safety would have been removed. Besides this, the movie delivered the message of choice and strength.

We all have little birds in our lives; we might not know we have them until you are in a position that offers it. Then, the little bird shows up and it gives you an existential placement.

I recommend you watch this film and check the room for light and wonder. It's so true, kindness is stronger than all the other options available. We are but memory of all the choices we make in life and the history we create. We develop our own paths in a direction and it can be modified at any moment. The most courageous people are all around us. The wolves will one day come for us all. Will you be ready ?

This film deserves more attention!!!

I read the graphic novel and the novel to the film beforehand and was absolutely in love with it. So I was desperately waiting for the film to finally be released (which took ages due to several postponements, but well worth the wait.) I had very high expectations for the film and I wasn't disappointed! They were super close to the original story and masterfully turned it into a film that invites you to dream, but also moves you to tears. The film is incredibly moving and quite heartbreaking, but at the same time so incredibly beautiful and magical. I think they beautifully managed the balance between teen romance and historical narrative of nazi-occupied France in the 1940s.

I especially enjoyed Gillian Anderson's performance, which was outstanding! Although she had (as expected) a quite small role, she did once again incredibly well. And her performance really stuck with me. Especially later in the film (which I can't tell about, because I don't want to spoiler), her performance was heartbreakingly impressive and convincing.

But not only Gillian's performance was great, I was really impressed by Ariella Glaser and Orlando Schwerdt who played the main characters Sara and Julien! And come one Helen Mirren as grandmère?

So all in all a beautiful film which deserves all the praise it can get!

GO WATCH THIS FILM.