jaxscript
I too saw this film at the Atlanta Film Festival. Overall I enjoyed this film, but I still felt like it was a little too cryptic for its own good. It was a little hard to follow at times. There was some good and bad acting in it, but the disconnect I had was believing Robert Pralgo as the father. This was not due to a poor performance but bad casting as Robert looks far too young to have what appears to be a 25 year old son. (And an 18-21 year old daughter) For the budget they had on this, they did a good job. The script was a little vague at times and rambled some, but eventually the main mystery is finally explained. There were a few things that never made sense, like why the girlfriend had a foreign accent, but it wasn't critical. If you like to support indy films then I recommend watching this film at least once. I think all of the people involved in this film did a fair job of making an interesting film, but I am sure they will grow and do better work next time. You can see the promise in the work done here.
keliezer1
While watching I am the Blue Bird, at a private screening in Atlanta, I found myself more and more intrigued (even though at first, I was a little bit thrown off). The movie's perplex beginning quickly had made it known that the plot was going to be more than just "black and white" and the script was to be filled with "color," metaphorically speaking.Clearly, the mastermind of the script wanted you to see the meaning that lied deeper within the movie and its every scene. The director made some good choices with the screen shots, distinguishing reality and imagination, which you start to grasp gradually throughout the movie. I enjoyed the soundtrack that beautifully match with to the content and the rather talented (not to mention handsome) actors, as well.This movie is definitely for those who want to challenge themselves(in different ways to different people), and to those who really enjoy thinking outside of the box. I would definitely recommend this suspenseful indie flick to others.
singlespeedross
I saw this over the summer at the Atlanta Film Festival because of its entry in the Narrative Competition. I thoroughly enjoyed the film, and while I felt a little confused, everything was understood by the time the credits rolled.Artistically, I liked the decision to use two separate styles of shooting, depending on which frame of mind/time period we were watching. It was a clever way to distinguish the Ethan's memories from his present day experiences.The family experiences felt real and honest. I was touched by the confidence in the exploration of family values, trust, friendship, honesty, drug (ab)use, and relationships.The movie was well cast when it came to the leading gentlemen and ladies, but some of the others left me wanting, well, more. The performances that felt real and honest were Ethan (Justice Leak), Ally (Tara Jean Verrette), Camille (Elizabeth Keener), and Charles (Robert Pralgo). In particular I appreciated the interactions between Ethan and Ally, as brother and sister. It stood out to me as an older brother with a younger sister, as I watched them interact and take care of each other. I also liked the pairing of Camille and Ethan, who I felt had genuine chemistry.I would recommend seeing this film.
hoiair
I saw the movie at the Atlanta Film Festival, and though it can be said the film had style and the actors gave thoughtful performances, and it was shot with relative textbook appropriate approach, it was limited in its overall potential by a tragically meandering script that left me without a clue as to what really happened both literally and metaphorically. Even within the seeming goals of the film; I guess, an exploration of existentialism, it is not enough to simply be a film, there must be cause and effect that has some shape and order.I kept waiting for something to give me some clarity of purpose, but there was neither the expression of a goal nor an event that made even a single philosophical point. Things did happen, just as in life, but that is only okay in a documentary. In dramatic film making, especially in America, we demand a logical sense of purpose even if it is somewhat surreal, as this was. It is sad to have to apply a number to a review, but it is with the comparison to other films with similar genre, that I can make a relative comparison. With a relatively small budget and a well written script, one can attract talent to make all else happen. Wait until that happens before making a film. Let's say "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" was a 10 and "Planet Nine From Outer Space" is a 1. "I am the Bluebird" would have to be a 4. In my mind, worth seeing for experimental value, but objectively not one I could recommend over the many choices available.
AD
