Birds of America

Birds of America is an evocative and heartening film that tells a transformative and touching story of a perfectly regular suburban family in America, with "perfectly regular" being subjective. Set in the quaint backdrop of suburban Connecticut, this is a touching tale that explores the nuances of sibling relationships while delving into the discord, joy, challenges, and unique bonds that shape them. The movie stars Matthew Perry, Ben Foster, and Ginnifer Goodwin as three siblings in the Morley family: Morrie, Jay, and Ida, respectively.

Directed by Craig Lucas and released in 2008, the movie pollenates themes of familial bonds and personal struggle, exploring the true essence of what it means to be a family. The film interposes comedy and drama, blending in a fine balance that keeps viewers engaged while delivering a hearty emotional punch.

The story revolves around Morrie Tanager (played by Matthew Perry), a university lecturer married to his loving wife Betty (Lauren Graham). Morrie, being the overly responsible eldest sibling, becomes a surrogate parent to his younger brother and sister after their parents’ death. He leads a seemingly perfect life, complete with a teaching job and a beautiful but very resentful wife. However, underneath this seemingly calm surface, there is a torrent of responsibilities and expectations that Morrie is continually grappling with.

His younger brother, Jay (played by Ben Foster) is a brilliant but socially challenged individual who has dropped out of school and is trying to find his way in life. He is the exact opposite of Morrie in terms of responsibility and expectations, living a carefree but disorderly existence. This friction between Morrie's meticulousness and Jay's lack of structure often leads to interesting dilemmas that are presented in an amusing yet striking manner.

Their youngest sister, Ida (portrayed by Ginnifer Goodwin), is a free-spirited woman who, despite her chaotic love life, proves to be a strong and independent character that contrasts sharply with her two brothers. Her character adds an extra layer of complexity to the family dynamic.

The narrative wonderfully expresses the strain of Morrie's constrictive suburban life, both in his career and in managing his household. It effectively showcases the burdens he is dealing with along with the pressures of trying to steer his wayward siblings onto the right path. Morrie's journey is one of self-discovery, understanding, and acceptance, where he learns that perfection is a myth, and it’s the imperfections that ultimately make a family.

In his portrayal of Morrie, Matthew Perry delivers an exceptional performance, demonstrating a range that goes well beyond his well-known persona from "Friends". His character's frustrations, complexities, and internal conflicts are showcased excellently. Equally impressive is Ben Foster's portrayal of the unpredictable and sensitive Jay, providing a perfect contrast to Perry’s character. Ginnifer Goodwin, spontaneity, her carefree spirit, and her struggle with her love life are gripping, and her characterization of Ida is powerful and endearing.

The narrative weaves the individual life choices of these three characters beautifully, along with their shared histories and impacts on each other. It’s the skilful exploration of these complex relationships that gives the film its depth and resonance.

"Birds of America" will especially appeal to those who love character-driven movies rich in emotions. Its quintessentially quirky but real characters, the exploration of shared trauma, love, life and its idiosyncrasies – all bring out the essential charm of this film. While its tone might seem melancholic, the subtle humor and farcical situations uplift the general mood.

The film is a poignant exploration of the adult lives of the three siblings, with an underlying theme of how nobody’s life is as perfect as it may seem from afar. It chronicles the hits and misses of life, the raw reality of relationships, and the beauty of accepting people as they are, setting the stage for what is a truly touching cinematic experience. Despite being set in the 'small world' of a Connecticut suburb, "Birds of America" touches upon universal truths about life, love, and family, making it worth a watch.