Tuesday

Like a lot of A24 films, it's unexpected and kind of a slow burn, but somehow really engaging and ultimately worth watching. I sat in the theater like "what?" But I haven't stopped thinking about it since, and Julia Louis Dreyfus could get nominated. Give it a chance, and if you've ever lost someone, you'll relate. It wasn't the "Terms of Endearment" mother daughter movie I expected-the conflict is present from the very start. Their chemistry takes a while to establish, and there are some unanswered questions about why the American mom has a British daughter and where is the dad through all this.

What an intriguingly bizarre little film.

A terminally ill teenager, finds herself facing her own mortality.

A seemingly selfish mother, refuses to let her daughter go.

A young nurse must constantly deal with people navigating their way through this scenario.

While a tortured parrot manifests as the embodiment of death.

Exoterically, the stricken young woman- who goes by her middle name, Tuesday- is forced to confront her own mortality, when she is visited by a harbinger, in the form of a talking parrot, whom acts as the embodiment of death.

Her mother- Zora - burdened by the state of her daughter's condition...but doing the best that she can...has lost her job, and is forced to sell all their worldly belongings (to pay for her nursing care).

Though, she pretends to go to work each day, so as to bring a sense of normalcy to their upended lives.

Upon returning home on this day, however, she is confronted by her daughter, who warns her of her impending death.

During which, she too, must come face-to-face with death, in the form of the talking parrot.

To the point that she unwittingly brings about a zombie apocalypse- after taking matters into her own hands- in an attempt to stave off the inevitable.

Until she is forced to grips with the question of whether she is doing this to protect her daughter (from the inevitable); or herself (because she's unwilling to let go).

Making what ensues the last desperate act of a woman whose life has already began to condition her to accept such a reality (ie being forced to purge all her worldly possessions...with extra symbolism being added via the stuffed bishop rats, that represent her loss in faith).

Which is an example of how expertly esoteric messages are symbolically spun into this film.

For example...you find yourself asking the question...why a parrot?

The answer to which requires a multifaceted symbolic reading.

On the one hand, it relates to the longevity of a parrot's lifespan, being very close to our own; while, as a pet, they act as close companions to us humans; and possess the ability to mimic our actions, and personality.

On another, it simply works as a play on words between parrot and parent.

Though, on it's most esoteric level, it relates to the Rumi poem about the parrot and the merchant.

A tale in which the cage that acts as the prison of a domesticated parrot, is likened to how the body acts as a prison to the soul of a person, trapped in the material world (which is the realm of suffering in both Buddhist and Islamic philosophy).

An idea that obviously resonates with the situation in the story we are presented with here.

To be honest, I really didn't think I was going to like this film at first.

But, by the end, it had won me over.

Leaving me pleasantly surprised...despite the unpleasant nature of the content it acts to confront.

It's such a wonderfully weird- and dark- little film.

With an excellent performance by Julia-Louis Dreyfus as the mother.

Though, it's most commendable aspect, is how it is able to lighten the concept of dealing with the untimely- and unjust- death of a child...while dealing with the dark roads- those left to deal with the aftermath- are forced to traverse.

An excellent first feature from rookie director Daina O. Pusic.

Recommended if you like films like Beau Is Afraid...which I feel like it is somewhat akin to, in both subtle- and not-so subtle- ways.

6 out of 10.

Greetings again from the darkness. I thought the same thing. How can a movie featuring a giant talking macaw make any dramatic sense, or deliver a message that's worth hearing? Well, the first feature film from writer-director Daina Oniunas-Pusic does just that. We know the best fantasy stories and fables are based on harsh realities, and there is no reality more harsh than the fact that death comes for all of us. Now, whether death comes by the Grim Reaper, an Angel of Death, or a talking, size-shifting red macaw may be up for debate, but filmmaker Pusic and the cast deliver an immensely creative and thought-provoking look at death and all stages of grief.

The film opens by taking us on the daily routine of the Death Macaw as it visits those who have reached the end ... whether they are ready or not. Some go peacefully, others not so much. Soon it visits Tuesday (played by Lola Petticrew, SHE SAID, 2022). Tuesday has a terminal illness and is wheelchair-bound and tethered to an oxygen tank. She knows it's her time, but negotiates with the bird so she has a chance to tell her mother goodbye. A brilliant combination of humor-kindness-sarcasm-pot-music (Ice Cube)-and bathtime cause the death bird to give in and grant Tuesday's wish. Of course, such a decision means death is taking a break, thereby wreaking havoc around the globe.

Mother Zora (Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "Seinfeld", "Veep", 11 Emmys and counting) returns home and reacts quite aggressively ... actually violently ... to the bird that's there to take her daughter. Zora may be keeping secrets from her daughter, but it's with the best intentions to protect her. And protecting her is exactly what she thinks she's doing when she goes to war with the macaw (brilliantly voiced by Arinze Kene). This mother is just not willing to let her beloved daughter go without a fight ... a fight that shifts the tone of the movie, as well as mom's place in it.

It seems negotiations are ongoing between the parties, even though we all know there is no cheating death - at least not in the long run (some runs are longer than others). Yet, most of us spend each day warding off the idea or simply assuming it's not our time. We also know most parents will go to any length to protect their kids and ease any pain they might have. A significant portion of this story is about dealing with grief. Julia Louis-Dreyfus mostly replaces her usual goofy grin with a look of stress and anguish. Facing reality, she's despondent right up until she is enlightened. The filmmaker inserts an insightful blip near the end about God/the afterlife, and the best message is that grief must be dealt with. At some point, we must 'get on with it' and understand that the legacy of loved ones is carried on in our memories. Daina Oniunas-Pusic shows us some real creativity on a familiar topic, and it's pretty impressive.

Opens in theaters on June 14, 2024.

Minor complaint: there are several minor plot gaps and some timeline questions, clearly some scenes were cut which would have pulled it together better, but nothing important.

Reviewers saying it's confusing or boring are likely more upset because it upsets them on religious grounds, but don't want to say so. If you are easily upset by premises which do not support conventional Western concepts of God or especially Christianity, then this is not the movie for you. Go watch something by Mel Gibson. Likewise if you require male characters; there really aren't any.

If you don't like fantasy or tge supernatural, this is also not for you.

But for me: powerful acting, beautiful special effects, and strong dialogue writing. I watched it twice back to back.

Interesting take on the concept of death and dying I kept waiting for the dream sequence to end. Then I realized this is not a dream. The movie runs a bit slow and somewhat disjointed. For instance, how many days, weeks, months does the movie cover. Some scenes change without explanation. More character building and backstory development would be helpful. Louis-Dryfus is stepping away from the roles she is usually seen in. She doing a good job as a dramatic actress. The acting is good by You definitely have to pay attention which can be hard when it begins to lag. If you are a Syfy fan, you may like this movie.