Wild Canaries

As the title line implies, I had mixed reactions to this film. There were times when I had to force myself to continue watching it. Those were the times when the female lead character, Barri, was acting particularly like the little girl trying to charm her daddy and get away with all the antics and pranks that come with that. Despite the director/writer being aware of having a female lead who is "bratty", a word she uses to describe herself at one point, I kept wondering would anyone intentionally be with someone like this? But, alas, there's someone for everyone.... The longevity of their relationship, and others, is one of the film's subplots. The main storyline is the "mystery" which another astute reviewer compared to a Woody Allen film, especially "Manhattan Murder Mystery." I agree; in more than one way this film was like the WA film: on some levels stupid, slapstick comedy which, if you like it, then you'll like this. Ultimately I kept watching it, as it was also somewhat engaging and entertaining, as another reviewer pointed out, thanks to great photography and visuals of Brooklyn Heights, both indoors and out.

I never write reviews but 'Wild Canaries,' I feel, truly deserves a public service announcement. Please go see this movie. It is a perfect, if unintentional, blast of zeitgeist that will educate you on how the new America rewards its self-satisfied elite for the barest of efforts. You will swoon at the sad realization that this demonstration of talentless privilege unwittingly provides.

In short, this movie managed to make its lack of heart (and art) so outrageously offensive that I can only pray that it will quickly disappear from my consciousness..

From the moment Levine's idiotic presence graced my screen I knew I was in for it. My theory is that his brand of self- satisfied mug can only derive from a total lack of self-awareness coupled with a life of being rewarded for mediocrity, and I think this movie and some of the reviews on this site bear me out. Sophia Takal, who I really liked in the truly inspiring movie 'Supporting Characters,' joins him here with a screechy, sophomoric characterization that should, if there is any justice in this world, put an end to her acting career.

The writing, if I can call it that, managed to sap any and all energy and tension out of every single pivotal scene in the movie. Here's a clue: even if you're writing a 'screwball comedy,' the audience expects the characters to act in a somewhat believable manner. Situations, as opposed to screeching while jumping up and down and doing stiff 'funny walks,' are what drama, comedy, and tension should derive from. The 40's screwball comedy/mysteries they are trying to emulate were dripping with elegance, real mystery, tension, and charm. This movie has none of these things- and less.

The only mystery here is how this mess got funded, and, sadly, even that isn't much of a mystery; to answer my own rumination, there really is no justice in this world-- These are exactly the kind of entitled hipster idiots who somehow manage to convince gullible dental surgeons and rich families to open up their wallets and drop their pants so they can take a shot of uninspired arriviste 'art' up the wazoo.

But, not to worry for their future: I'm sure that what these hacks lack in talent will undoubtedly be assuaged by the oblivious and comfortable lives they will lead living off of their parents' real-estate investments while basking in the adoration of like-minded dimwits.

I truly wish these people the best in the hope that, for all our sakes, they stay far away from anything that resembles a movie set in the future.

And thank heavens there's a real world outside of Red Hook and Bushwick that knows crap when it sees it. And if it sounds like I'm making a personal attack on the makers of this movie, it's because I am; I don't like being taken for an idiot.

Just saw Wild Canaries at the BAM Cinemafest, and what a great thing that we did! A great indie film with lots of laughs, many great moments, well developed characters, a thrilling nosy-lady- thinks-someone-murdered-someone plot, awesome yelling matches between boyfriend and girlfriend... An all around excellent example of the genre. After a slow start, where the plot and characters are set up, the screwball comedy takes off and never looks back. Probably best enjoyed in a cinema or with a large crowd (as it is the case with most comedies), but could be a good date film, as well. Lots of couple moments where the main characters have some very realistic, sometimes hilarious, arguments. Very Brooklyn, very sexually fluid (and conscious of these facts), and very indie.

Don't miss it!

After watching this I wanted to murder every character and then burry myself for watching this. AAAAA this is not a comedy this is nothing. I was waiting whole movie for something to happen, to laugh, instead I wanted to strangle Barri. And in the end you have whole explanation. WTF???? No I don't give two stars as I wanted. My god...

Every once in a while you see a gem at Maryland Film Festival. This picture is a gem.

I'm giving them an extra point or two for being young filmmakers. Really good tho. A dream of a screenplay, with several events taken from the filmmakers' lives -- Lawrence Michael Levine wrote and directed, and plays the male lead. His real-life wife, Sophia Takal, co-stars. Ms Takal's dream of resurrecting a casino, which Mr Levine thought was a bad idea in real life, recurs in the film, and the mysterious wild canaries of the title appear at the casino.

This is a screwball murder mystery a la The Thin Man. Levine and Takal are also big Colombo fans, and Colombo's trench coat makes an appearance.

A very hip comedy, with great jokes and payoffs (a running gag about who should drive the car pays off hilariously), along with expert physical comedy. Funny and endearing. Nick and Nora would be proud.