Rent Blackbird (2019)

Great actors but not for me - Blackbird review by TH

This film has some fine actors and the performances are well tuned. Aside from that this isnt the most interesting of films. The story is rather dull and feels like it would be more suited to being a play rather than a film.

Wasted Opportunity - Blackbird review by GI

Considering the talent in this film this is all rather flat and uninspiring. It's as if the script deliberately went for cliché or at least just took an easy route. Considering the potential with the themes here this is a real shame. Susan Sarandon is the family matriarch who is slowly dying of a wasting disease. In agreement with her husband (Sam Neill) and family she intends to take her own life with assistance from hubby. They all meet up at the family home for one last weekend together also joined by her best friend (Lindsay Duncan). But her two daughters played by Kate Winslet and Mia Wasikowska start to feel old family wounds reopening and this begins to scupper mum's careful plan. So we have the main theme about assisted dying wrapped up in a melodrama that has a gay couple, a repressed daughter and a wayward one, loads of family arguments around the dinner table over a sneaky joint. The shame of it is that Winslet is somewhat miscast, Wasikowska plays a role she can do blindfolded and deserved better and Sarandon and Neill are clearly just coasting. The film never really goes anywhere worth the effort of the viewing time. Much promise but a let down.

If you are already depressed, perhaps not a good film to watch - Blackbird review by Old Devonian

If I am still thinking about a film 2 days after viewing it must have been interesting and thought provoking. I enjoy plays set to film and this felt like a play but was not as wordy as others I have seen.

Susan Sarandon is going to die....... this weekend, but perhaps not everyone is ready for it or sees it as necessary. Halfway through it is difficult to see where or even why the film maker is progressing with the film other than to provide a canvas for excellent actors to strut their stuff, which they do well. I am still not even sure now that the denouement was  worth waiting for.

But the concept of wanting a good death was nicely explored in the time available. I just felt it needed more depth but I guess this would reduce the viewing demographic which would then be too narrow to make it commercial.