In the art of filmmaking, there exists exceptional work that demonstrate the utmost skill and craftsmanship. These films boldly take risks, either resulting in triumph or disappointment. Unfortunately, Birdeater, directed by Jack Clark and Jim Weir, fell short of my expectations. While the movie possesses moments of breathtaking beauty, its narrative and character development detracted from my overall enjoyment. Undeniably, Birdeater exhibits numerous cinematic qualities. Its framing of exquisite shots, clever editing, and captivating score create a well crafted film. The movie effectively evokes a diverse range of personalities within what seemed like a long runtime. However, it fails to maintain a consistent tone or emotional resonance throughout. The first act stands in completely different in contrast to the second and third, resulting in a disjointed narrative. Characters never fully internalize their lessons, and the ending lacks a lasting impact beyond the credits.
The film commences with remarkable promise, captivating the audience from the start. It depicts the preparations for the marriage of Louie (played by Mackenzie Fearnley) and Irene (played by Shabana Azeez). Birdeater takes its time to introduce and develop its characters, immersing the viewer in their daily lives and relationship. The film skillfully withholds the main mystery of the plot, creating a yearning for revelation as the title card is unveiled. The movie effectively reveals small details to maintain a sense of intrigue, but the ending fails to provide a satisfying conclusion. It really did a good job as to show and not tell. The best thing about Birdeater is staying blinded of not knowing of what was gonna happen next. This is something that I will always applaud. This film did not play it safe and took risks. Another thing that I extremely apprciate from these two directors.
The characters were the primary factor that prevented me from enjoying the movie. I appreciate the intentional creation of unlikeable characters with unique traits. Birdeater, however, failed to deliver on this, with its numerous underdeveloped side characters that were just plain unlikable. Each character remained stagnant, exhibiting the same flawed decision-making patterns throughout the film, which annoyed me to say the less. This lack of character growth resulted in a conclusion that felt hollow and devoid of substance. Despite the film’s undeniable visual beauty and innovative filmmaking techniques, it fell short in terms of storytelling. While some viewers may find this aspect of the movie enjoyable, I unfortunately belong to the minority who did not. As reviews have described the film as “feral,” I agree. It accurately portrays individuals exhibiting their true selves as selfish and self-centered. Animalistic behaviors showcased, but the film lacks the deep dive in this human study.
While the movie presented some artistic ideas and impressive filmmaking, its tone and underlying concepts became disjointed and unappealing once the second act intiated. The characters’ perpetual bad decisions and the toxic environment they inhabited failed to provide any redeeming qualities. Birdeater may appeal to certain individuals, akin to reality television shows featuring unpleasant contestants, but I was unable to connect with this style of storytelling. The performances were commendable, the cinematography was exceptional, and the score was well-crafted. Despite my initial desire to appreciate the film, it ultimately failed to resonate with me by the end. I do wish I liked this movie more.
Rating; 50/100
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