Birds of America (2007)

45% of users liked it
(2,330 ratings)

Director Craig Lucas teams with screenwriter Elyse Friedman for this sociologically-slanted comedy drama concerning three eccentric siblings who were forced to grow up in an environment with no actual grown ups. In a typical family, the pattern usually goes something like this: Parents have… More Director Craig Lucas teams with screenwriter Elyse Friedman for this sociologically-slanted comedy drama concerning three eccentric siblings who were forced to grow up in an environment with no actual grown ups. In a typical family, the pattern usually goes something like this: Parents have children, children grow up, children move out, and family comes together for visits on holidays and special occasions. Unfortunately for Morrie Tanager, any concept of normalcy was thrown out the window when his parents died, and he was left to raise his two siblings Ida and Jay in the family home. These days Morrie shares the home with his wife Betty, Ida is a promiscuous artist who's always traveling despite the fact that she's perpetually broke, and Jay is a reclusive weirdo who frequently conducts antisocial experiments. All that the perpetually constipated Morrie wants out of life is to please his wife Betty. While it's been quite a while since siblings Morrie, Ida, and Jay have all been together under one roof, those familiar childhood dynamics quickly return when Ida comes knocking at the exact moment Jay goes supernova. As neurosis and instability suddenly cascades through the home like a dysfunctional Niagara Falls, Morrie and Betty suddenly find their delicate attempts to secure Morrie's tenure washed down the river right towards the big drop. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 25 min.
Directed By: Craig Lucas
Written By: Elyse Friedman
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 24, 2008 Wide
On DVD: Oct 21, 2008
Studio: First Look Studio

Critic Reviews

James Greenberg, Hollywood Reporter
Not very convincing or funny.
Dennis Harvey, Variety
Ends up feeling more like the season finale of a fairly interesting, somewhat derivative HBO series than stand-alone screen fare.
Brian Orndorf, DVDTalk.com
A stunningly short (79 minutes) experience, but nevertheless a crushing one, exploring hackneyed suburban woe elements with a decidedly detached tone that alleviates any need to pay close attention.
Joly Herman, Common Sense Media
Dark comedy has shining moments, adult themes.
Kim Voynar, Cinematical
It's not quite funny enough to appeal as a rom-com, nor quite darkly comedic enough to satisfy ...

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Featured Audience Ratings

♥˩ƳИИ &

Cast: Matthew Perry, Ben Foster, Ginnifer Goodwin, Lauren Graham, Zoë Kravitz, Hilary Swank, Gary Wilmes, Daniel Eric Gold, Takako Haywood, Jennifer Gargano Director: Craig Lucas Summary: With his daffy neighbor (Hilary Swank) serving as his sole diversion from the daily grind,… More
Cast: Matthew Perry, Ben Foster, Ginnifer Goodwin, Lauren Graham, Zoë Kravitz, Hilary Swank, Gary Wilmes, Daniel Eric Gold, Takako Haywood, Jennifer Gargano Director: Craig Lucas Summary: With his daffy neighbor (Hilary Swank) serving as his sole diversion from the daily grind, Morrie (Matthew Perry) feels stifled by his suburban existence. But circumstances change when he's forced to reconcile with his younger brother and sister (Ben Foster and Ginnifer Goodwin). They resented him as a surrogate father when they were growing up, but now their freewheeling ways could prove to be Morrie's salvation. My Thoughts: "I really liked this movie. Thought it was funny, dark, and really interesting. Love indie movies. I think they are the best kind of movies. Love Ben Foster in this. Matthew Perry was great, and it was good to see him in more of a drama type film then comedies.. Loved Ginnifer Goodwins character. She was a free spirit. Hilary Swank was quite boring though. It's basically about three siblings still grieving over their parents death and trying to accept each other and the way they live their lives.. I just think that some people can relate. I think its a movie worth seeing."
jay n

Poky and not terribly entertaining. Ben Foster is good given the confines of his role but this purported comedy is a downer.
Nicki M

Liked this a lot. Very understated and moves slowly, but effective portrayal of a dysfunctional family with an outstanding cast. Will not be to all tastes, but I enjoyed it.
Cassie H

Don't know what I was thinking when I rented this movie. I thought that because Matthew Perry was in it that it would be a good movie. The lesson learned is that just because a movie has an actor you like, doesn't mean it's going to be a good movie. This movie proved… More
Don't know what I was thinking when I rented this movie. I thought that because Matthew Perry was in it that it would be a good movie. The lesson learned is that just because a movie has an actor you like, doesn't mean it's going to be a good movie. This movie proved that.
Magnus X

"But sometimes, sometimes kindness is wiser than truth." A great, weird, low-key drama about three siblings trying to come to terms and accept one another for who they really are. Great cast with among others Matthew Perry, Ben Foster, Lauren Graham and the amazing Ginnifer… More
"But sometimes, sometimes kindness is wiser than truth." A great, weird, low-key drama about three siblings trying to come to terms and accept one another for who they really are. Great cast with among others Matthew Perry, Ben Foster, Lauren Graham and the amazing Ginnifer Goodwin.