Chirphymium
It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional
Adeel Hail
Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.
Kaydan Christian
A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
EilisNiGhliasain
Would you like to watch a "whimsical" - to quote Roger Ebert - film shot in Newfoundland where the scenery is a good part of the whimsy? Then "Rare Birds" is your box of chocolates. It stars gorgeous Molly Parker as Alice and a not quite so hot but still handsome William Hurt as Dave. The chemistry between these actors is your "valentine" and Andy Jones as Phonse is your comedy. He is brilliant as a loyal but scheming best friend to Dave. Every scene - excluding the ones with Phonse's "recreational submarine? - is charming. Who wouldn't want a buddy like him to add spice to life?Actor Andy Jones is well known in Canada. It's no wonder why.Another Canadian charmer in the film is Molly Parker. Ms Parker's Alice is an intelligently sexy complement to William Hurt's Dave. And because of this, Dave falls in love pretty well right after he fleetingly looks at and greets Alice at a dinner party.Despite Mr. Hurt as a headliner - and it is well-deserved - this is a quintessentially Canadian film. Éilís knows many Newfoundlanders might want her to write "Newfoundland" instead of "Canadian" film. But western Canadians like herself have grandparents from the province. And they have been enjoying the Newfie comedic talent on Canada's screens since the dawn of television.
Maltbar
If you are a William Hurt fan this movie is for you. Watching him opposite Molly Parker is so funny. She is a young confident open minded redhead who is so charming and irresistible. To watch him fall in love with the only girl within 50km is very entertaining. In fact she works very close to him in his secluded gourmet restaurant somewhere on the coast of Nova Scotia. If you are a Molly Parker fan this movie is for you. She is at her natural best in this one. She will brisk by after immodestly changing her top in front of him. You can practically smell her. While setting the tables she is inspired into a passionate dance with no one around... seeing these two actors fall in love is the best part of this movie. The quirky plot with his eccentric buddy is kind of fun too. It's mostly about how great William Hurt is as a comedy actor and this was a very sweet vehicle for him. I already forget how it ends but that part is not important...just keep your eyes on Hurt performance...he's one of the best! And how could you not fall in love with her in this one?
nancynorthoaks
It's worth the time to see 'Rare Birds' just for a look at the raw,rugged beauty that is Newfoundland. The cinematography is excellent. A middleaged restaurateur, William Hurt, can't seem to market his talent for excellent cooking resulting in his restaurant going bust. His friend, Andy Jones, devises a quirky scheme to bring people to Hurt's restaurant on a remote part of Newfoundland. This is a lighthearted, madcap movie with humor, silliness and a bit of romance. Molly Parker and William Hurt sparkle together. Andy Jones is very good as Hurt's offbeat, optimistic friend. Out of 10, 'Rare Birds' deserves an 8.
George Parker
"Rare Birds" tells of a hapless Newfoundland restaurant owner/cook (Hurt) whose remote seaside restaurant is suffering from insufficient patronage due to a lack of advertising. A quirky friend (Jones) hatches a plot suggesting Hurt report the sighting of a nearly extinct duck to encourage bird watchers to flock to his eatery thereby stimulating his business while he's being stimulated by thoughts of his comely waitress (Parker)...etc. A fun and earnest flick which trudges through it's wry tale relying on understated tongue-in-cheek humor and quirkiness for entertainment, the film includes other salients such as a home made submarine, 22 pounds of cocaine, some much coveted sheet lights, and an RCMP SWAT team for additional substance. Overall, "RB" is a warm hearted little flick for those who don't mind off-kilteredness and the absence of the usual Hollyweird appurtenances. (B-)
