Movie: Blackbird
Stars: 4
Cinema: Hoyts Victoria Gardens
Needing some respite from the flat, and the shoulder pain, which kept me awake last night, I took my ibuprufen loaded body off the the cinema to see Blackbird. It was on my list of things to see, and as Hoyts Movie of the week the ticket was cheap. Also, with my novel where it is, obtaining views and insights into death and dying is never a bad thing.
The movie also released a bit of the disappointment gained on Saturday when I saw The Little Things. This was better.
The premise of the film is simple. Lily (Susan Sarandon) is terminally ill. She has chosen to end her life before the disease ends her and the family have been called to spend the weekend to say goodbye to her. Of course, there are family dramas. Daughter Jennifer (Kate Winslet) is uptight and angry. The seemingly flaky daughter Anna (Mia Wasikovska) is battling her own demons, while her best friend Liz (Lindsay Duncan) and husband Paul (Sam Neill) try and keep things. Jennifer's husband (Rainn Wilson) and son and Anna's partner come along for the ride.
Assisted suicide is a sensitive topic wherever you go, and this is handled pretty well. Okay the script isn't the films strongest point, but the cast is great and they try and make the best of it. Of course drama is obtained by the typical family fights and some stereotypical storyline plotpoints, but this doesn't stop you from caring about the characters as they negotiate the last days of Lily's life.
Some standout moments for me was when the uppity Jennifer gets stoned for the first time, and the occurences the next day with her husband in the boat shed. Anna and her partner Chris (Bex Taylor-Klaus) give another perspective to the situation. Sam Neill's Paul is a study in living grief and love as his powerhouse wife tries to make the best of her last days.
Most of the film is set in an architectural wonder of a house near the sea, which makes the film easy to look at.
Knowing this is a remake of the Danish film Silent Heart (2014) makes me want to see it to compare and contrast.
But this film does its job. Knowing Lily's health is deteriorating rapidly, she wants to go on her terms, while she can have a choice. How the family deal with this is shown well.
For me, as somebody is is actively for the right to die on your own terms when terminally ill, I'm glad this film is out there. It may not be the best film, but it certainly isn't bad. Susan Sarandon carries the movie well.
The one thing that isn't explained is the film's title. The only thing I could come up with was The Beatles song of the same name.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly all your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see all your life
You were only waiting for this moment.
(Blackbird, John Lennon / Paul McCartney)
It's not a bad film. It tackles the subject well, despite some of the cliches. I'm glad I saw it.
Today's Song:
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