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Rare Birds | Year: 2001 Classification: Comedy Directed: - Sturla Gunnarsson Actors/Actresses: - William Hurt - Andy Jones - Andy Jones (II) A great farce by great players. As opposed to Hollywood's formula of slapping you up 'side the head to get a laugh, this gem is a tickler of your intellect. William Hurt is as usual thoughtful, engaging and believable. His partners in this thoroughly enjoyable film are wonderfully played and combine with the beautiful "land's end" feel of coastal Newfoundland for one of the best films in a long time for me. Found surfing HBO. Will certainly get the DVD. Excellent Unlike Shipping News, this movie shows Newfoundlanders for what they are - quirky, funny and lovable. Not the usual plot, this story all takes place around a wooden bird and the hilarity that ensues when this bird (previously believed to be extinct) is spotted. I couldn't stop laughing the whole time! If you enjoyed the original Austin Powers or Waking Ned Devine you will love the humor in this book turned movie. A rather charming tale of conspiracies, birds, love and food "Rare Birds" chronicles the life of Dave (William Hurt), chef of "The Auk" in a small coastal town in Newfoundland. Business is sagging, and Dave is preparing to sell the restaurant when wacky Fonce (Newfoundlander Andy Jones in a brilliant turn as always) cooks up a scheme involving the sighting of a rare bird (in reality, an extinct duck) to bring flocks of birdwatchers to the area and boost business. The plan works, but the two get more than they bargain for: there are numerous other subplots, some unnecessary, such as the cocaine stash, a love affair between Dave and Alice, Fonce's bookish sister-in-law, the RCMP Bulgarian light conspiracy, and the Winnebegos. Molly Parker's Alice was a delight, as was Andy Jones' neurotic Fonce. I thought that the entire cocaine subplot was unnecessary. The bathroom humour seemed too base as well, although limited to one (thankfully) brief scene. Although Ebert regards "Rare Birds" as more of a wacky Newfoundland character study than "The Shipping News," I disagree. I found that "The Shipping News" had a much more engaging plot and much more involved characters. The pacing of "Rare Birds" is sometimes slow and awkward, and I didn't really relate to Hurt's character, which made it much harder to enjoy the film as a whole. The DVD offers very little in the way of special features, mainly a few computer-generated sets from production designs, a trailer (which shows what the film *could * have been if it had lost the excess baggage) and a commentary by director Sturla Gunnarsson. "Rare Birds" is rated R for language and drug use. NOT AN UGLY DUCKLING AT ALL. This is yet another movie filmed in New-Found-Land , the other being 'The Shipping News' and that being said, it is the only similarity... Where as Ship News was dark, moody, and sinking in its' own sea of muck. (Rare Birds) is on the opposite end of the scale, light, witty, much more lively character to watch. This little gem of a movie got lost in the 9/11 murder-madness and went right to dvd and video. I am reviewing the DVD, which has a lot of info. on it. William Hurt, John, " Kiss Of The spider Women ,"Altered States, is very funny as the (Off the beaten path restaurant gormet cook, owner.) Whose clientele is non existent? John is about to throw in the towel when his friend, Andy Jones(ll), (Phonce), comes up with an idea to get people for the restaurant. Buy Rare Birds at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Rare Birds Search with the Priority Search Engine on Rare Birds This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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