Blackbird
Directed by:
Roger MichellCinematography:
Mike EleyComposer:
Peter GregsonCast:
Sam Neill, Susan Sarandon, Anson Boon, Kate Winslet, Rainn Wilson, Lindsay Duncan, Bex Taylor-Klaus, Mia WasikowskaVOD (1)
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Lily is terminally ill. After considering all the possibilities, she has made up her mind: with the full support of husband Paul, she wants to put an end to her life before she is unable to do so. Before Lily takes this final step, the whole family will gather at their country house. Her best friend and her two adult daughters, Jennifer and Anna, are joining alongside their partners and children. With three generations under one roof, and the oppressive feeling of farewell in the air, unpredictable fears and conflicts soon rise to the surface, and unsuspecting secrets come to light. Filmmaker Roger Michell’s ode to the preciousness of life is a remake of the Danish family drama Silent Heart. It features a fantastic, exceptionally talented cast, including Susan Sarandon, Kate Winslet and Mia Wasikowska. (Zurich Film Festival)
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Blackbird lured me in through its excellent cast and enticing premise, so I was perhaps expecting too much from it. The performances were of course great, although some of the characters were incredibly unlikeable in places. I would definitely single out the "slightly" hysterical Kate Winslet, the unstable Mia Wasikowska and the chillingly composed Susan Sarandon. Story-wise, the film didn't grab me to the extent I would have expected – basically only the last minutes deliver a more significant emotional charge, otherwise it's more of a first-person presentation of partner-family relationships. PS: one day I might watch the Danish original.
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