White Bird

The headline names of Helen Mirren and Gillian Anderson drew me to this one, the type of film that I would normally pass on, given that it concerns a theme that has probably been done a hundred times before. And of course it has, but not always in such a compelling and effective way. It avoids becoming too saccharine or clumsily tugging at over used emotional strings. Yet, there are sweet moments and powerfully emotional moments, but done so subtly that they creep up on you with great effect. Of course the darkest side of human nature is introduced soon enough, as the daily life of a sleepy French town is unmercifully invaded. Having said that, this is still a film that can be watched by the whole family, as it avoids being graphicly violent, whilst leaving viewers in no doubt as to the nature of evil. There are all sorts of lessons to be learned ( or relearned ) regarding how people choose to behave in ordinary as well as extraordinary situations.

As an added bonus, the cinematography and production are exceptional with an effective soundtrack. The young actors look like they are as experienced as the two much older stars mentioned previously.

This movie actually opens in modern day New York, a boy of 15 (Bryce Gheisar as Julian Albans) is starting at a new school. In conversation he uses the term "the school I left" but was quickly corrected, he was expelled from the school for poor behavior towards a fellow student.

It turns out his grandmother, Helen Mirren as Grand-mère, is a world famous artist in town for a special event honoring her life's work. She visits Julian and she is the one who corrects him. Then, the rest of this movie is basically a flashback to Autumn 1942 in a small French community after the Nazi Germans took control, then spanning 1943 and I presume part of 1944. With a short return to modern day New York at the end of the movie to show how Julian's attitude was changed by his grandmother's story.

British actress Ariella Glaser, about 14 or 15, is the main character, Sara Blum, a Jewish schoolgirl who was persecuted, had to go into hiding, and who grew up to be the artist and grandmother of Julien. She tells him her story to illustrate how attitude and behavior are everything in human existence. Using the analogy that darkness cannot overcome darkness, you need the light and that is the human experience.

Also good is young Australian actor Orlando Schwerdt as Julien Beaumier, a young boy who had been impacted by polio and now wore an awkward leg brace. Julien was a kind person who played a big role in Sara's survival and who was the inspiration for naming the grandson Julian.

Also good is American actress Gillian Anderson as Vivienne Beaumier, helping hide young Sara and serving as a surrogate mother in the absence of her parents.

This is a very good and well-made movie with a worthwhile story. The young actress that plays teenage Sara is remarkably good.

My wife and I watched it at home on DVD from our public library.

Back in 2017, a movie called WONDER (based on the 2012 book by R. J Palacio) came out, about a disfigured young boy going to public school for the first time. I actually just watched it. I really liked how they showed the story through a few characters' perspectives. Keeping with that trend, a sort-of sequel kind of spinoff has been released called WHITE BIRD (based on the 2019 graphic novel from the same author). Don't worry, you don't have to have seen WONDER to understand what's going on. This is about Julien (Bryse Gheisar), an ex-school bully who is getting a taste of his own medicine at a new preppy school. He gets a visit from his grandmother Sara (Hellen Miren), who tells him a story of her past. In 1942 France, a young Sara (Ariella Glaser) is forced into hiding from the Nazis, taken in by a classmate named Julien (Orlando Schwerdt), who has a lame leg due to polio. Him and his parents (played by Gillian Anderson and Jo Stone-Fewings) hide her in their barn. This is a good movie. The performances of the two leads are great and sparking with chemistry. I was pretty stressed throughout the experience due to the circumstances. It does have an "Anne Frank" vibe, but it's done well here. In dark times, sometimes all we need is kindness and hope. It's a little heavy-handed in some parts, but a very solid film. Remember, kindness can change somebody's life.

I came in with lowered expectations, but this film absolutely blew me away!

This film was very well-paced, and I found myself fully invested in the development of the main characters. The developments felt honest and meaningful, not just shallow or simply there to further the plot. The main theme of the story, one of human kindness, was well portrayed, and even though we got hints and foreshadow, I was still surprised and gut-wrenched when the plot unfolded. I was very impressed by the acting, especially among the younger roles. The emotional maturity of one of the characters caught me off guard. I didn't expect myself to be so emotionally impacted by this film.

This film is one that everyone, young and old, need to watch. No matter your opinions, we all need to be impacted by the genuine, heart-reaching kindness displayed so effectively in this story. I ugly cried quite a bit after the film, feeling deep sorrow over the enmity prevalent today. I hope this movie impacts you just as deeply.

I haven't the slightest idea why imdb is featuring the worst review of the bunch as a featured review. Couldn't be further from the truth.

This is not a story of the Holocaust, it's a story of hope, kindness and courage in the darkest of times. That's what it promises and that's what it delivers.

No there aren't any Nazi camps portrayed, but it is an accurate depiction of what it felt and what it meant to be a Jew in those times, alienated and fearful for your life.

I haven't seen the Wonder movie and can't compare but a 7.2 rating for this movie is absurdly low. This is one of the standout movies of 2024 for me so far, one of meaning and hope and I wouldn't mind watching it again or recommending to a friend.

So go watch it without being influenced by a discouraging review.