Birds of America Starring Matthew Perry
New to DVD October 21, 2008, with Ginnifer Goodwin and Lauren Graham
Oct 21, 2008
The drama begins when middle brother Jay (played by Ben Foster) has an "accident": he is hit by a car while he is inexplicably lying on his back in the middle of the road. His family is phoned, and thus the beginnings of the madhouse.
Craig Lucas and Elyse Friedman Make Quite the Team
Director Lucas and Writer Friedman have worked hard to portray this ragtag family as the underdogs against the supposedly sane world. Though they don't get along half the time, the family is unquestionably united and the vehement love between them is palpable. This is a family that has faced some things together before. The balance is precarious, as much of the dialogue is argumentative, but this writer/director team has totally pulled off a miracle of solidarity.
Most of the plot revolves not only around Jay's accident and rather forced recovery, but also around the pending tenure of the oldest brother Morrie (played by Matthew Perry). The risks of caring for his seemingly deranged brother are high for Morrie, who dreams of financial and social security through a tenured position. Having spent years vying for the attention of his boss and neighbor, he now finds himself saddled with two house guests, naturally right before the deciding dinner party.
Ginnifer Goodwin, Ben Foster, and Matthew Perry Deliver on Family Chemistry
The realism can be felt throughout the movie when these three are on screen, but one of the best moments is when baby sister Ida (Ginnifer Goodwin) arrives home to visit Jay. Her presence in the foyer is accompanied by awkwardness in spades, as Morrie's wife (Lauren Graham) tries desperately to be pleasant. The three siblings are past these attempts, and extend not a moment's effort to help her.
Goodwin, who has been cast before as this too-pretty baby of the family, is right at home and shines throughout the movie. Her character on Big Love, Margene, is also the youngest of the three "sister wives" and is also somewhat prone to impulsive behavior. Goodwin's appeal lies in her ability to make the impossible adorable, and her performances are always entirely honest and believable, no matter how outrageous her character may be.
Birds of America May Please "Friends" Fanbase
Loyal followers of the TV series Friends may be interested in this movie for its main star, Matthew Perry. And it shouldn't disappoint, as it features some of the same wry humor, everyday appeal, and unconventional family ideas that were so often featured on the show. It is not a chick flick or romantic comedy, but it will be recognizable for most American families, and perhaps nostalgic in the best of ways. It is a reminder of how comfortable family can be, whether you particularly like them or not.
