Blackbird movie review - Aussieboyreviews
IS BLACKBIRD JUST THE TYPICALLY EMOTIONAL AND TOUCHING DRAMA?
Although Blackbird is a pretty typical euthanasia without anything new, it’s surprisingly just excellent. The entire cast provides fully realistic performances and the story is entertaining, but there’s also plenty of laughs and a heartfelt cry.
Storyline
After being diagnosed and battling a terminal illness, Lily invites her daughters and family to spend some time together one last time before she chooses to end her life.
Movie Images
Movie details
Director: Roger Michell
Cast: Susan Sarandon, Kate Winslet, Mia Wasikowska, Sam Neill, Lindsay Duncan, Rainn Wilson, Bex Taylor-Klaus, Anson Boon
Writer: Christian Torpe
Release Date (Australia): 25 February 2021
Runtime: 97 minutes/1h 37m
Genre: Drama
Country: USA
Language: English
CONTENT GUIDE (warning: May contain spoilers)
The film contains themes of euthanasia, terminal illness and mental illness. There are also verbal references to a character’s suicide attempt.
None.
The film contains use of the word “f**k”, as well as occasional use of the words “s**t”, “bitch”, “hell” and “damn”.
The film includes a lengthy scene in which a family is depicted sharing a marijuana joint. There are also multiple verbal references made to drugs and “hookers and blow”.
None.
The film contains sexual references including a woman being gifted a vibrator, a man and woman kissing passionately whilst removing clothing and verbal references to “hookers and blow”.
mpaa rating
R (for language, some drug use and brief sexual material)
Aussie boy's thoughts
Whilst the gifted cast deliver truly magnificent and lifelike performances, Blackbird is a film about the end of terminal illness with euthanasia that’s surprisingly touching, poignant, funny and beautifully executed. Roger Michell’s simply staggering film is almost the perfect definition of a powerful family drama. Not meaning it’s for kids, but despite the occasional comical aspect, it’s utterly serious and digs deep.
Does Blackbird fall far enough to reach your heart? Definitely for some, but that’s not guaranteed. Is it enough to make you cry? Not necessarily, due to a significant reason. But is it memorable or truly affecting? Yes. This euthanasia-themed drama set around a family’s final weekend with the exceptional lead played by Susan Sarandon will make you laugh during examples such as family dinner scenes, but especially around the end, will make you cry.
Well, the reason tears aren’t guaranteed to slide down your cheeks, despite the emotionally gripping sad moments, is truly because of the unforeseeably frequent splotches of true humour. How didn’t this film get labeled a drama-comedy at least? It’s still mainly a drama of course, as it focuses on a TON of thematic elements leading to family disputes and the mature theme, euthanasia. The cast delivers staggering performances and the story is pretty pacy.
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