Blackbird (I) (2019) User Reviews

Moving and depressing Ensemble piece

[Alexander_Blanchett · 8/10 · 3 October 2020]

A really movieg film. Some could blame it to be too much "into your face" but it still moved me to the core as it Made me asking how I would handle a situation like that and the more you think about it the more it depresses you. But in a good way as the film's story really challenges you with morality and along with that tells a great story about love and family bonding. The acting is superb. Susan Sarandon finally gets to show in a great huge role again and she really nails it. She adds a lot of sarcasm to it which helps the make her character appealing and convincing, especially considering the struggle she has inside her. Kate Winslet is very calm here and leaves the field for Sarandon. Winslet has some really good moments and built her character well. Mia Wasikowska has the juicier role and is good, too. I loved Sam Neill whose characters tries everything to make the atmosphere positive and hold everything together. Good support by Lindsay Duncan as well. A very intimate film by Roger Michell and a film that deserves much more attention than it received. Yes, it leaves you depressed. And yes it leaves you with a lot of questions but important ones. Really moving and well acted ensemble piece.

I hate critics by comparison! Just watch it. It's a good movie!

[sipanualin · 8/10 · 19 May 2021]

I like to respect opinions, but for the past years, I've seen a lot of "purists" rating a movie with 1,2,3 stars just because "the original" was better... Sometimes it's a justified oppinion, (The Grudge, for example) but this is starting to be a trend, not an exception.

Personal opinion, for the ones who care: it's a good movie, a somewhat fresh subject and good for spending a Saturday night in front of the TV, wondering what would you do if you where in anyone of the character's shoes.

Cliché? Yes. American take? Yes. Enjoyable? Of course! Let's be honest... How many times did a Shakespeare play (original or adapted) had an opening night? In that case, would you go to the theatre? Yes? No?... Just curious 😏

singing in the dead of night....

[ulicknormanowen · 7/10 · 10 May 2021]

In 1981,in "whose life is it anyway? " ,Richard Dreyfuss ,paralysed after a car crash ,asked for the right to die :as he was in a hospital ,it was not easy .

In Europa, some movies about assisted suicide were made in France ("quelques heures de Printemps" )and in Germany (und Morgen Mittag ,bin ich tot" ) but as it is illegal in both countries, death takes place in Switzerland .

It's easier,so to speak ,for Lily whose husband is a doctor ;she wants to die in dignity and not surrounded by machines ; Susan Sarandon is,as always ,admirable ,and she gets strong support from Sam Neill as her devoted husband .The film is a strong plea for a legitimate choice when there' s only more sufferings in sight ,and who can say he's not concerned with such a harrowing problem?

Kate Winslet and Mia Wasikowska ,on the other hand, are given badly written parts ,the umpteenth version of the sisters at odds with each other, the earnest patronizing one and the unhappy person .And one regrets that there are not more intimate scenes between Lily and Paul ;the very brief scene where he cries in the greenhouse means more to me than the sisters' moanings and whinings .Melodrama often gets in the way of a real tragedy.

But the young generation (good scene of the rapper) and sensitive Lindsay Duncan's Liz make up for it .

Anyway ,it's a courageous movie , which people (with a strong heart) must see.

Really powerful

[Gordon-11 · 19 September 2020]

This film is really really powerful. I watched it for the stellar cast, not knowing what it was about. I was already in tears half way through the film. It is very well made as well.

First-rate cast can't overcome a dull and lifeless drama

[Sir_AmirSyarif · 6/10 · 19 December 2020]

'Blackbird' flies high on the strength of his actors to deliver the emotional clout the movie promises. From Susan Sarandon to Kate Winslet to Mia Wasikowska to Sam Neill, there's no denying the cast all deliver on what they are given. Unfortunately, the blandness of the story and the lack of interesting (or the overly-familar tropes of) characters cause a detachment to what should have been an emotionally compelling story. It isn't terrible, it's simply very average to its benefit.

saying goodbye

[ferguson-6 · 6/10 · 17 September 2020]

Greetings again from the darkness. Even though death is imminent for each of us, we don't all get the opportunity to say goodbye to loved ones. For those who do, it may not go as smoothly as they'd imagined. This is especially true if they are choosing to end things on their own terms due to a terminal illness. Roger Michell (NOTTING HILL, 1999; VENUS, 2006) directs this remake of the 2014 Danish film SILENT HEART (directed by Bille August), both written by Christian Torpe.

Family matriarch Lily (Oscar winner Susan Sarandon) has a terminal illness, and has arranged for the family to return home for one final get-together. See, Lily, with the assistance of her doting doctor husband Paul (Sam Neill) is planning to 'go' on her own terms, while it's still physically possible for her to take the medicinal potion. "Death with dignity", or euthanasia, is becoming a more frequent topic in films and conversation, despite still being illegal in most states. Of course, the legal and moral questions are heavily debated, but when it's a family member, it's the emotions that heat up.

First to arrive is eldest daughter Jennifer (Oscar winner Kate Winslet) and her husband Michael (Rainn Wilson, "The Office") and their son Jonathan (Anson Boon, CRAWL). Kate is the uptight, demanding type who is always judging others - including her nerdy well-meaning husband, and her free-spirited son. The younger daughter Anna (Mia Wasikowska) arrives with her partner Chris (Bex Taylor-Klaus, "The Killing"), and it's immediately clear that Jennifer and Anna are personality opposites (with some baggage), and that Anna is carrying an unspoken burden. Last to arrive is long-time family friend Liz (Lindsay Duncan), who is so close to Lily and Paul, that the family photographs show her on many family vacations and events over the years.

This has the look and feel of a stage presentation, as most of the scenes are filled with dialogue and occur within the confines of the stunning east coast home, apparently designed by Lily. There is a family walk along the beach and dunes, but most of the run time is filled with interpersonal interactions - some pleasant, some not pleasant at all. In fact, an early (by a couple of months) Christmas family dinner is sprinkled with pot smoking and emotional outbursts. It turns out, not surprisingly, that some of the secrets previously kept, find their way out into the open causing a few bumps in Lily's farewell weekend.

The complexities of family dynamics are amplified in this situation. Who is ready and who isn't, and why, becomes a topic of multiple discussions. We never really learn the meaning of the film's title, but we do enjoy the work of so many fine actors. You might recall Susan Sarandon played a dying woman more than 20 years ago in STEPMOM (1998), and this movie blends two memorable and recent films: FRANKIE with Isabelle Huppert, and HERE AWHILE with Anna Camp. Saying goodbye is never easy, but it sure beats missing the chance.

Really well acted and posed important questions

[rachbruno · 7/10 · 27 December 2020]

First of all I will say that this film and the characters are full of privilege. That she is able to summon her family to this beautiful scenery and enormous house and her husband, the Dr, can facilitate this for her...that is some wealthy privilege. But if you put that aside (I tried) it does ask some really important questions about quality of life and dignity in death. Why can't we choose the manner and time of our passing if we know it is near? If we want to retain some control in a life of uncertainty. Why have a funeral full of people with regrets and words not spoken? Say those last words. Have a good bye. On your terms. I think we should be going this way as a society so I'm glad this movie showed it as a positive. Very well acted, especially all the women.

Saying Bye to your Mom

[jeroduptown · 7/10 · 4 August 2021]

ALS is taking Susan's life - and her family gathers to say goodbye to her as she prepares to euthanize herself. Its wildly uncomfortable, but Winslet and the other family members kill the acting.

Beautiful and Touching

[ritaspirit · 9/10 · 17 January 2021]

Having lived through a similar experience myself, this film does a wonderful job of representing the various facets of a family as the beloved mother comes to the end of her terminal illness. Intensely painfully real. A must see.

6/10

[SamJamie · 6/10 · 2 February 2021]

Lily and Paul summon their loved ones to their beach house for one final gathering before Lily decides to end her long battle with ALS. The couple plans a loving weekend complete with holiday traditions, but the mood becomes strained when unresolved issues surface between Lily and her daughters Jennifer and Anna.

First of all, this is nowhere near a one-star movie. It baffles me how people can give a film like this the lowest possible score when the movie has good points and bad, definitely amounting to a higher score than aforementioned.

First of all the subject of Blackbird is an interesting examination of end-of-life, packing a sometimes overly-emotional punch, illuminating not only Lily's end but the entirety of a precious life well lived. The film boasts a terrific leading performance from Sarandon, keeping things focused and always demanding your attention. Whilst Winslet's performance as her overbearing daughter is also splendid to watch. The film as a whole though feels rather empty, it's a heavy subject that is given a light touch when it comes to its emotional weight. The subject matter feels diluted by staying on the surface and never going too deep with these characters' conflicts. The film is worth watching for a few note-worthy performances but it's not a film to write home about.

Coulda, woulda, shoulda...been better

[elishawin2005 · 4/10 · 18 December 2020]

Do you remember Susan Sarandon in the movie Stepmom with Julia Roberts? After all these years I still tear up during certain scenes. That never happened here. Not even almost! I actually think I dosed off for a minute somewhere in the middle of it. It felt like they just had to fill in some open space just to finally get to the departure. I wouldn't watch it again and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else.

Perhaps because I just walked this journey

[deborahsagramma · 9/10 · 16 December 2021]

Perhaps it's because I just walked this journey... twice in the last 3 years, but I find this to be VERY true to life at telling how family systems relate internally to death and dying. I could see the personalities of each individual, feel their truths as their pain was revealed. This is a funny movie, a movie that will piss you off; it will warm your heart, surprise you and finally, it will make you cry and smile. It's DEFINITELY worth seeing, and with someone you love, and alone, and then again.

Palliative care, Right-to-Die, Dignitas

[ethanarmstrong79 · 7/10 · 9 January 2021]

A physician-assisted suicide drama looks at the controversy from different angles. Anyone who's seen a loved one slowly decay over a period of time can see the appeal of a thoughtfully planned farewell. This movie is mostly well done, but lacking comic relief -- except for the presence of Rainn Wilson.

not good at all

[venom_miss · 1/10 · 5 October 2020]

It takes a real effort to have a tearjerker story ( someone is abou to die ) and so many good and oscar winning actors and to come up that short. This movie has absolutely nothing going on. Ok Susan Sarandon is about to die and what more to make a film out of it? Well there is nothing, throwing some cliche side story lines that has absolutely nothing to do with it, someone is lesbian. someone takes drugs. someone want to be an actor and so on. And when they think they filmed enough and fill in the time, she dies. Where is her emotional struggles? where are her thoughts? Hollywood find it more interesting to show us a cliche about lgbt relations once more than the thoughts of a person who will commit suicide,.

Sometimes sad, sometimes funny, always interesting. End of life story.

[TxMike · 25 December 2020]

Susan Sarandon is the central character, she has an illness that is progressing such that soon she will not be able to use any motor functions. So she and her doctor husband in Connecticut decide she will take a drug that will put her to sleep from which she will never wake up. Just slip away like being "black birded."

As a final goodbye family are invited for a weekend at the seaside home, there are squabbles, some misunderstandings, but all the acting is good. It raises lots of questions about the ethics of "end of life" decisions. I had to ask my wife "Who is your best friend" so I'd know who to start an affair with if she gets in this situation.

Curiously it was filmed in England even though set in Connecticut, it has several foreign actors all doing their best American accent. The script does acknowledge that what they are doing is illegal in most states but they planned it such that it wouldn't implicate the husband.

My wife and I watched it at home via Amazon streaming movies.

Emotionally resonant and deep.

[SnobReviews · 7/10 · 28 September 2020]

Emotionally charged and expertly acted; "Blackbird"might have flaws but you are somehow able to look passed them in this gut-wrenching film.

In this drama based on the 2014 Danish film "Silent Heart", a terminally ill mother arranges to bring her family together one last time before she dies.

Susan Sarandon is sensational in "Blackbird", as the woman struggling with her terminal illness and trying to make peace within her family. The film is well written and directed by Roger Michell and often offers laughs amidst the drama. There are moments of melodrama but it's easy to look passed that when you have a stellar cast like this. I think Sarandon should be nominated for something, as I'm still thinking about her performance days after seeing it. A drama that's well worth the watch.

Follow @snobmedia for all reviews!

I'm dead soon

[nogodnomasters · 7/10 · 8 November 2020]

Lily (Susan Sarandon ) has ALS and wants to plan her death rather than face a time when she loses all muscle control. She brings the family together and her friend Liz (Lindsay Duncan ) for one last get together as they celebrate her birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The daughters created some drama, drama that seemed forced and ill conceived. The acting was good and by the end I was into the characters and had a wet eye moment.

Seemed to symbolize the end of the baby boomer generation.

Guide: F-word. Brief sex. No nudity.

The TONE

[ricky_dry_county · 7/10 · 7 February 2021]

1) Spectacular cast, which lets you look past the fact that it's a remake (I haven't watched the original) 2) Great acting by Kate Winslet (as a dork) except while delivering one cringy line. Sam Neill obviously nails the crying scenes to perfection. 3) The tone is very off putting at times. I'm not sure but the Americanised crass way of bringing up the topic of death every 5 seconds by the younger cast, felt exhausting (is that in the original too?) 4) The g@y thing is handled very well and doesn't seem forced by today's standards.

No family is perfect in every facet ....

[artistincolour · 8/10 · 2 March 2021]

Well written, don't worry that it's a remake, just see the film as it is. Very difficult subject, handled in a contemporary fashion. I think it gains it's strengths as much from what is not said as it does from what is said. I love that Sam Neill doesn't need an accent other than his own. And that the grim end did not need to be explicitly depicted. Families do have their whims, their oddballs, their hiccups, their discrepancies & disagreements. That's what families are about. Yes, one or two predicatabilities and yes, she (Sarandon) did forget she couldn't move her left arm in one scene. But hey ... maybe she (the character) was just having a good day, maybe she just had an hour or two free from pain and with a little mobility. Who are we to judge someone's illness? There are too many really good elements to the film to worry about trivia. Just remember ... families are often a mish-mash of personalities.

a perfect afternoon feel good film even with the subject matter at hand

[dreadfort-96120 · 7/10 · 13 January 2024]

I went into this blind without reading any reviews just due to the cast and i'm glad i did because had i come and looked at the reviews here i probably would never have watched it..Sam Neil and Susan Sarandon are great as usual and as much as the story seems bleak and depressing it's a real afternoon feel good film which was pleasantly surprising, i don't usually do soppy feel good movies but due to the story and having lost multiple members of my family to cancer i was intrigued at how this movie would play out and come across given its subject matter but it's a beautiful story, granted there was a few moments that could have been done better and the dinner table 'rap' from the nephew was 60 seconds of cringe but that aside if your considering watching it seriously give it a go, it isn't too long at around 90 minutes and you'll be pleased you did!

Love is ALMOST everything, In a movie, the script is everything!

[dallaseleventh · 2/10 · 1 November 2020]

Going in, who wouldn't expect an amazing film from such a stellar cast? Seems almost failproof, right? Well, sadly, wrong. Except for one scene toward the end of the film that had me saying, "Thank God, finally, something worth watching," when both daughters decide to confront their mother with the truth of their father's, shall we say, straying ways, the film never finds its feet. Yes, Sarandon is amazing, as always (although at times her physiological depictions of ALS changed, and that was unsettling...like suddenly being able to move a left arm that was supposedly incapacitated, only to remember mid-scene that, oh, yeah, I can't move that arm, or her speech patterns suddenly improving); and Mia Wasikowska offers Sarandon's only authentic connection in the film, save Lindsay Duncan, the best friend. Sam Neil never hits his stride here, which is surprising considering his immeasurable talent. I never believed that he cared much about anything that was happening. It's one thing to appear detached as the character. It's completely another to appear detached as the actor. And tears alone don't necessarily equate with authenticity, Mr. Neil. That's a shout out to Ms. Winslet, too, whose overall grating performance stunned me. Unfortunately, she's in almost every scene. Yes, her character may be really, really uptight, but, could this Oscar winning actress find nothing of nuance, nothing endearing to make us care for her beyond the constipated, one-dimensional figure she scoped out? To say nothing of her horrendously, oh-so-bad take on a mid-western American accent that sounds nothing like anyone else in her family. Anyone ever hear of a dialect coach on-set? She is like nails on a chalkboard, and two hours of that was just too much! Look, I applaud the film maker for taking on an incredibly serious and important topic that deserves not only screen time, but a life time examination by each and every one of us; however, this sad, disjointed attempt to capture magic in a bottle did not work. If you want to see Sarandon shine in a film about dying and death, check out "Stepmom" with Julia Roberts.

A downer, but well implemented

[cockezville · 8/10 · 21 February 2022]

"where am I going" the final words of the dying woman who planned her death from ALS. Everything was well planned, dinners served, talks had been had, gifts had been given until the final weekend when family drama erupts. But what is never resolved is her own sense of what death means or a peace with her own spirituality or God.

It all feel kind of empty for her and when she dies, it feels unresolved and confusing.

Of course the drama revolves around a wealthy doctor who lives in the perfect house by the ocean with flawed characters with the assumption that the law will not get involved with this assisted suicide- money talks.

Good acting, nicely paced but very depressing.

Not unique

[sjanders-86430 · 2/10 · 2 January 2021]

I don't like this version. I saw Silent Heart and liked it. Something is so ordinary here except the house and surroundings. The characters don't reveal any depth. The screenwriter wrote both the Danish and the American scripts which tells me what he thinks of Americans. He thinks we are boring. He thinks we are cliches. He thinks we live in beautiful homes without heart and soul.

An Astonishing Tale of Family and Terminal Illness

[Zac_La_Porte · 8/10 · 16 February 2022]

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.

If you liked this review, check out the full review and other reviews at aussieboyreviews.

The family

[allisonjoys · 4/10 · 15 January 2021]

I did not like the family. I normally like movies with various family issues- quirky traits. This family was dysfunctional in a perfect way. Even the assisted suicide was too perfect.

I don't disagree with the main theme, but the plot twist at the end was a bit gross. Love is not interchangeable like a pair of sunglasses.