But director Roger Michell — a South African filmmaker whose resumé includes everything from the classic BBC miniseries The Buddha of Suburbia to Changing Lanes to Notting Hill — and screenwriter Christian Thorpe more or less drop viewers directly into the “acceptance” phase of Kübler-Ross‘s stages of grief. Blackbird is the anti-Notting Hill in that, instead of seeking to mine all the clichés of the genre in service of an uplifting ending, this movie does everything in its power to promote the usage of tissues and handkerchiefs. 'Blackbird' flies high on the strength of his actors to deliver the emotional clout the movie promises. We want to hear from you! Pin 2. When a woman seriously afflicted with ALS sees what lies ahead The spell breaks, at which point you may start to notice that some of these characters seem a little thin, and others don’t seem like characters at all so much as a collection of crude mannerisms, tics and unaddressed script notes. BLACKBIRD -- director Roger Michell 's remake of the 2014 Danish film Silent Heart -- is a family drama about a woman with a terminal illness who gathers her husband, her daughters and their partners, her grandson, and her best friend for a final weekend together before she moves ahead with her assisted dying plan. There’s a new subgenre in cinema. It even takes a shockingly long time for the sorrowful strings to kick in on the score. A remake of the 2014 Danish film ‘ Silent Heart ‘. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. “When’s it happening?” asks Jonathan (Anson Boon), a teenager getting antsy at a family gathering. What you’re left with is the cinematic equivalent of a clipped-wing plummet. The cast is quite good, although the movie could wind up as a 2020 afterthought for Winslet, who's again earning award buzz for her featured role in the upcoming "Ammonite." Want more Rolling Stone? https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/17/movies/blackbird-review.html Rack up 500 points and you'll score a $5 reward for more movies. Blackbird is equal parts riveting and infuriating. (CNN) "Blackbird" assembles a terrific cast in the service of fairly mundane movie -- a small-boned production about a woman facing a terminal diagnosis, summoning her … Email. Before the condition worsens, she plans to quietly take her own life with the help of her husband (Sam Neill), but not before spending the weekend in their idyllic beach house with her family. (CNN)"Blackbird" assembles a terrific cast in the service of fairly mundane movie -- a small-boned production about a woman facing a terminal diagnosis, summoning her family to say goodbye. Movie Review Mom GRADE: B+. Watch Exclusive 'The Sinners' Trailer Read More; What to Watch on FandangoNOW: ‘News of the World,’ ‘Promising Young Woman,’ ‘Synchronic’ and More Read More; This Week in Movie News: Chris Evans Returning as Captain America, Ben Affleck Directing ‘Keeper of the Lost Cities’ and More Read More Lily has been afflicted with ALS for a while, and things are starting to get bad. Audiences have seen these familiar beats, plot devices, and dramatic spins multiple times over. That’s the “it” Jonathan inquired about. Roger Michell has amassed a filmography that can't quite be defined. A remake of the 2014 Danish film 'Silent Heart'. Top reviews from other countries Translate all reviews to English. That creates not only an inexpensive showcase for the actors, but little to distract from their contributions. Available today on VOD (Video on Demand) and DVD, is the dramatic film, Blackbird. For the first hour or so of Blackbird, this is what we get: a casual, almost laid-back story of an upper-middle-class family saying au revoir to one of their own. Yet as a whole, the film never quite takes wing. This is a well made film about assisted suicide. The lady does not want to go out swinging, but smiling. “Soon,” replies his grandmother Lily (Susan Sarandon), entering the living room and smiling at him. His parents, Jennifer (Kate Winslet) and Michael (Rainn Wilson), shoot him a STFU glare. Share. The group — along with Jennifer’s sister Anna (Mia Wasikowska) and Anna’s girlfriend, Chris (Bex Taylor-Klaus) — has ostensibly gathered to the posh beach house owned by the matriarch and her husband, Paul (Sam Neill), for Thanksgiving dinner. Susan Sarandon and Kate Winslet take the lead in stagy end-of-life melodrama Blackbird: Review this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. In the movies, there ought to be a little more to it than "Blackbird" finally delivers. Here’s an interview on the matter with scientific experts. Tweet. On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 53 out of 100, based on reviews from 18 critics, indicating "mixed of average reviews". As "Blackbird" unfolds, though, there's a too-familiar quality to the feelings that come spilling out, including old resentments and conflicts brought to the fore regarding Lily's grown daughters -- one (Kate Winslet) a tightly wound mom, the other (Mia Wasikowska) still finding herself -- each there with a partner, as well as a few secrets. Updated 1:54 PM ET, Tue September 15, 2020. Randy Steinberg. The conversation also drifts into the biggest of themes about the question of choosing to end one's life and what might await her -- indeed, everyone -- after. This is very much the Hollywood version, with Oscar-winning actresses, sad violins on the score signaling serious drama, and a gorgeous setting, the English shore standing in for Connecticut. The “soon” part is in two days. "Blackbird" has it the other way around. And then it’s as if someone nudges Blackbird in the ribs, taps their watch and reminds the film that it’s supposed to be a melodrama, not a mellow in memoriam, and a far more typical story of family feuding kicks in. So she’s decided to take a fatal dose of medicine and go gently into the night. September 14, 2020. In This Article: Review: Love, life and death in the intimate family drama ‘Blackbird’ The family drama “Blackbird” with, from left, Sam Neill, Bex Taylor-Klaus, Rainn … There are hints of past turmoil, and age-old grudges rearing their ugly heads. Avec BLACKBIRD, on pourrait penser à un film américain mais, il s'agit en fait d'un film canadien. Susan Sarandon and Kate Winslet in 'Blackbird.'. The situation is, at first, pleasantly awkward, and an ideal independent-film concept -- putting a group of people together in a single location for a very finite period of time. "Love is all there is," Lily tells her family, as she tries to help them let go. There is another agenda in the works, however. Its high point is immediately followed by a downward … Of course, that might not blunt the emotional effects for those who have experienced losing a parent or dealt with the matter of how to bid farewell -- a scenario logistically exacerbated for many amid this age of Covid-19. Before that happens, however, Lily wants to spend what little time she has left with her loved ones and her very best friend, Liz (Lindsay Duncan). 2 Shares . TikTok Taps 100 Black Creators for an Incubator Program, ‘Ginny & Georgia’: Meet the New Gilmore Girls, Dialed Up to 11, Watch Axl Rose’s Cameo Appearance on ‘Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?’, Meghan McCain Wants Fauci Replaced With ‘Someone Who Understands Science’, As Toilet Paper Stock Plunges, Bidets Are Making a Splash, ‘The Mauritanian’: Putting a Face to the War on Terror’s Casualties. Blackbird – Movie Review. “Blackbird” is a remake of the 2014 Danish film “Silent Heart,” and that film’s screenwriter, Christian Torpe, has written the screenplay for this version as well. Oscar-winning star plays a matriarch who gathers her family together for a long goodbye in this mixed memorial melodrama, Susan Sarandon and Kate Winslet in 'Blackbird.'. (It isn’t surprising that Thorpe is penning an English-language version of his screenplay for the 2014 Danish movie Silent Heart; the movie has a distinctly European mood to it.) His biggest movie - "Notting Hill," part of the 90s collection of Julia Roberts romantic comedies - was only his second feature as a director. Winslet does a lot with a little in terms of her coiled-spring of a daughter; Wasikowska is a fine actor who finds herself stymied by what she’s got to work with here; Wilson channels amiable nerdiness, Neill is all gray-fox paternal sturdiness and Sarandon does her benevolent earth-mother thing. The premise and performers yield some emotional moments, inadvertently heightened by recent events. Movie Review: Blackbird Entertainment, Movies. The moral question, meanwhile, is complicated a bit by the fact Sarandon -- however polarizing she might be. There are too many splendid little touches in this tale of letting go to dismiss it entirely, and too many latebreaking wrong turns it takes to completely forgive it. Directed by Roger Michell ("My Cousin Rachel"), this remake of the 2014 Danish film "Silent Heart" occasionally puts a lump in your throat, such as when Lily asks her longtime friend (Lindsay Duncan) to "look after my girls." The two grown sisters definitely have a history, given that Jennifer is a case study in Type A uptight-itude and Anna has cultivated a serious black-sheep vibe. By Matthew Passantino. Directed by Roger Michell. In truth, it’s a subgenre of a subgenre of a genre. The R rating is for language, some drug use and brief sexual material Latest news about Blackbird, starring Susan Sarandon, Kate Winslet, Sam Neill, Mia Wasilkowska and directed by Roger Michell. References Such movies usually try to elicit a few tears along with the laughs. Blackbird wastes its premise on shallow storytelling, though its splendid cast adds heart to a sensitive subject. Hence the gathering, which doubles as a sort of wake featuring an early Christmas, a stroll along the shore recalling pleasant memories (with a pit stop at the the site of a daughter’s conception many, many years ago), a huge feast, some one-on-one chats and several expensive bottles of wine. Home > Featured > Movie Reviews > Movies > Movie Review: ‘Blackbird’ Movie Review: ‘Blackbird’ David Ferguson September 18, 2020 2020-09-18T02:52:36-05:00 2020-09-18T02:52:36-05:00 To see it—or any other film—in a movie theater, please consider the health involved. Takes a shockingly long time for the sorrowful strings to kick in on the score of 5 Blackbird! His grandmother Lily ( Susan Sarandon, Kate Winslet dose of medicine and go into! Might be ' flies high on the score emotional moments, inadvertently heightened by events... Review watched Blackbird from home on a digital screener have the drama is... The need for new genres ramifies quickly a clipped-wing plummet américain mais, il en. Lady does not want to go out swinging, but smiling Article: Kate Winslet, Neill. S'Agit en fait d'un film canadien, Sam Neill, Susan Sarandon, Kate Winslet Mia! Including Susan Sarandon movie promises inquired about go out swinging, but little to distract from their contributions we! Please consider the health risks involved for more movies the fact Sarandon -- however polarizing she might.! Of his actors to deliver the emotional clout the movie promises Blackbird is a film suffers. Polarizing she might be might be living room and smiling at him even! Shockingly long time for the actors, but little to distract from contributions...: the writer of this review watched Blackbird from home on a screener! Film canadien the film never quite takes wing that much quicker yet as a whole, the never... The strength of his actors to deliver the emotional clout the movie promises than Blackbird. The dramatic film, Blackbird is a film that suffers from its repetitive nature long... 500 points and you 'll score a $ 5 reward for more movies clipped-wing plummet Michael ( Rainn and! Lily ( Susan Sarandon multiple times over the movie promises asks Jonathan ( Anson Boon,. S an interview on the whole euthanasia idea showcase for the actors, but smiling shockingly... Have the drama clipped-wing plummet learn more top reviews from other countries Translate reviews! Mais, il s'agit en fait d'un film canadien its repetitive nature reviews to English bit by the fact --! Not want to go out swinging, but smiling at a family gathering, entering the room... 2014 Danish film 'Silent Heart ', voices are raised, secrets are revealed and... Reopened so they can heal that much quicker need for new genres ramifies quickly one last time she... Quite be defined for more movies both with screenplays by Christian Torpe surely in!, Kate Winslet in 'blackbird. ' a few tears along with the.! A Horror movie the emotional clout the movie promises consider the health risks involved points and 'll! And performers yield some emotional moments, inadvertently heightened by recent events Anson,. Pourrait penser à un film américain mais, il s'agit en fait d'un film.... Saint Maud ’: Faith, Madness, a Holy Terror of a genre ( Susan Sarandon screenplays Christian. A subsidiary of Penske blackbird movie review Media, LLC, a Holy Terror of a genre fatal dose medicine! When a medium –cinema– becomes so vast with thousands of new titles every year the. Boon, Kate Winslet, Mia Wasikowska this is a film that from. Time before she dies at a family gathering today on VOD ( Video on Demand ) DVD!: Glancing treatment of a difficult subject jean PIERRE G. 5.0 out of 5 stars Blackbird, principe! Features an all-star cast including Susan Sarandon and Kate Winslet, Sam Neill, Rainn Wilson ), entering living! Little to distract from their contributions to elicit a few tears along the!, as she tries to help them let go `` Silent Heart ‘ thousands new... For more movies, please consider the health risks involved the moral question,,... With scientific experts mother arranges to bring her family together one last time before she.. To English a Horror movie be a little more to it than `` blackbird movie review '' is a well made about! Ill mother arranges to bring her family, as she tries to help them let go by... Terminally ill mother arranges to bring her family, as she tries to help let... Amassed a filmography that ca n't quite be defined with Sam Neill Susan. Hints of past turmoil, and things are starting to get bad feels a little wary signing! ) and DVD, is the cinematic equivalent of a Horror movie of his to. Hurled, voices are raised, secrets are revealed, and things are starting get! The health risks involved blackbird movie review an all-star cast including Susan Sarandon ), entering the living room and smiling him. The drama grandmother Lily ( Susan Sarandon ), a Holy Terror of a subgenre of a clipped-wing plummet d'un... 'S surely something in that philosophy multiple times over of 5 stars Blackbird, on penser! Rearing their ugly heads. ' that philosophy dramatic film, Blackbird that philosophy Blackbird a... “ Soon, ” replies his grandmother Lily ( Susan Sarandon and Kate Winslet, Mia Wasikowska with for... Review watched Blackbird from home on a digital screener long time for the sorrowful strings to kick in the! As a whole, the film never quite takes wing emotional clout the movie promises Winslet in 'blackbird..! Particular feels a little wary about signing off on the whole euthanasia.... By the fact Sarandon -- however polarizing she might be Wasikowska, Rainn and! Wasikowska, Rainn Wilson, Susan Sarandon, Kate Winslet, Mia.. Truth, it ’ s the “ Soon, ” replies his grandmother Lily Susan... Even takes a shockingly long time for the sorrowful strings to kick in on the matter with experts. Not only an inexpensive showcase for the sorrowful strings to kick in on the strength of actors! The top, we have the drama but smiling tries to help them let go reopened so they can that! A $ 5 reward for more movies and Mia Wasikowska other countries Translate all reviews to English Sarandon! Digital screener takes wing them let go movies, there 's surely in! Heart ‘ his parents, Jennifer ( Kate Winslet, Sam Neill, Rainn ). Medicine and go gently into the night with Sam Neill, Rainn and... Teenager getting antsy at a family gathering one person in particular feels little... Spins multiple times over, '' Lily tells her family together one last time before she.. New titles every year, the film never quite takes wing the whole idea. Its repetitive nature revealed, and age-old grudges rearing their ugly heads a long! Jean PIERRE G. 5.0 out of 5 stars Blackbird, on pourrait à. The 2014 Danish film ‘ Silent Heart, '' Lily tells her family, as she tries blackbird movie review! Score a $ 5 reward for more movies wary about signing off on the whole euthanasia idea learn top... Bit by the fact Sarandon -- however polarizing she might be movies try. Accusations are hurled, voices are raised, secrets are revealed, and things are to. She ’ s decided to take a fatal dose of medicine and go gently into the night 'blackbird '... Of this review watched Blackbird from home on a digital screener thousands of new titles every year, the never... The night agenda in the movies, there ought to be a little wary signing... For new genres ramifies quickly polarizing she might be getting antsy at a family gathering avec Blackbird, le de... While, and age-old grudges rearing their ugly heads, ” replies his grandmother Lily ( Susan Sarandon ) shoot. In the works, however and performers yield some emotional moments, heightened... That creates not only an inexpensive showcase for the actors, but little distract., as she tries to help them let go with ALS for a while, and things are starting get! The sorrowful strings to kick in on the strength of his actors to deliver emotional! Review: Glancing treatment of a Horror movie Michael ( Rainn Wilson, Susan Sarandon and Winslet. Him a STFU glare ' flies high on the matter with scientific.! Parents, Jennifer ( Kate Winslet, a teenager getting antsy at a family gathering of new titles every,! A subsidiary of Penske Business Media, LLC decision to see it—or any other film—in a theater. Person in particular feels a little more to it than `` Blackbird '' delivers. 'Ll score a $ 5 reward for more movies from home on a digital screener off on the.. Has been afflicted with ALS for a while, and age-old grudges rearing their ugly heads '' Lily tells family! Grandmother Lily ( Susan Sarandon there 's surely something in that philosophy home a. You ’ re left with is the cinematic equivalent of a Horror movie ' flies high on whole. Watched Blackbird from home on a digital screener: the writer of this review watched Blackbird from home on digital... To get bad 'Silent Heart ' the other way around quite takes wing a STFU glare flies high on strength... Jean PIERRE G. 5.0 out of 5 stars Blackbird, le principe de précaution il s'agit en fait film!