Review: ‘Bird’ finds love in imperfect places
‘Bird’ is the story of a pre-teen girl dealing with her own family drama who agrees to help a man search for his estranged relatives.
Some kids grow up in circumstances that cause them to mature more quickly than others. But just because they’re in situations that require them to take on more responsibility and make grown-up decisions doesn’t mean they’re equipped to do so. Sometimes they’re going to make childish mistakes that can have major consequences because they simply don’t know any better and/or can’t understand the larger ramifications of their actions. In Bird, a tween trying to navigate her complicated family befriends a lost man trying to locate his parents after a long absence.
Twelve-year-old Bailey (Nykiya Adams) lives with her father, Bug (Barry Keoghan), and older half-brother, Hunter (Jason Buda), in a cramped apartment that occasionally doubles as party central. Bug just announced he’s marrying a single mom, while Hunter may be following in his footsteps and becoming a teenage dad. Even though Bailey isn’t thrilled about Bug’s announcement, he’s a pretty attentive father for his age. In the meantime, Bailey’s mother has an abusive new boyfriend threatening the safety of her other half-siblings. After a particularly stressful night, Bailey meets Bird (Franz Rogowski). He’s looking for his mom, who once lived in the same building complex, so Bailey decides to put her aspirations of joining her brother’s gang temporarily on hold to help him.
Bailey is incredibly confident and independent for her age. She spends much of her time alone, wandering the neighbourhood and recording videos on her phone, which she replays on her bedroom wall. She also displays an uncanny connection to wildlife, which frequently seek her acquaintance. She’s appropriately cautious when she initially encounters Bird, but warms up to his cause when he appears to be harmless. While Bailey is deeply immersed in her family’s drama, she finds a kinship with Bird and his desperate desire to find where he belongs. Sadly, between abusive boyfriends and absentee dads, neither is sharing stellar examples of family. Fortunately, their friendship provides each with a sojourn from their problems.
The cast all deliver exceptional performances. Newcomer Adams appears genuine in all her interactions, exhibiting the nonchalance of a pre-teen determined to wage her own path. Keoghan portrays a devoted but chaotic young man who values his role as father, but is still sowing his oats. Conversely, Rogowski is generally subdued as Bird forms quiet connections with those around him, often appearing timid and conflict-averse. The characters are all very different, yet their relationship to Bailey is paramount, even when it doesn’t seem like Bug knows what he’s doing.
Audiences may find it difficult to engage with the narrative at first, but as they get to know Bailey, they will find themselves invested in her coming-of-age story.
Director: Andrea Arnold
Starring: Nykiya Adams, Franz Rogowski and Barry Keoghan
