Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- darkly comic
- awkward
- melancholic
- quiet evening
- indie movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as an uneven but sincere independent tragicomedy, with strong performances amid an overly contrived and thinly developed story.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jay and Ida's arrival destabilizes Morrie's carefully managed marriage, career, and relationship with his judgmental neighbors.
Morrie must appease his department head and holier-than-thou neighbors while caring for his disruptive siblings.
Morrie's home becomes the central site of recovery, sibling conflict, marital strain, and unwanted encounters.
Morrie's irritable bowel, Jay's injury, Ida's precarious life, and the family's bereavement are treated through both discomfort and pathos.
Films like Birds of America, and why
The Squid and the Whale
darkly comic family dysfunction, uncomfortable social encounters, and emotionally bruised characters
The Savages
independent tragicomedy centered on dysfunctional siblings, stalled adulthood, and awkward domestic conflict
Happiness
caustic ensemble comedy about family damage, social discomfort, and characters failing to fit conventional norms
Movie Details
- Director
- Craig Lucas
- Release Date
- 2008-10-09
- Runtime
- 85 min
- Rating
- 5.5 / 10 (72)
Cast
- Matthew Perry
- Ben Foster
- Ginnifer Goodwin
- Lauren Graham
- Zoë Kravitz
- Hilary Swank
- Gary Wilmes
- Daniel Eric Gold
- Stacie Theon
- Brandon Hanson
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Birds of America about?
- A tightly wound academic's attempt to preserve suburban respectability unravels when his wounded, alienated siblings return to his home.
- What is Birds of America like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Birds of America as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Birds of America violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Birds of America as mild.
- What did critics think of Birds of America?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as an uneven but sincere independent tragicomedy, with strong performances amid an overly contrived and thinly developed story.
- Which films are like Birds of America?
- Films with a similar feel include The Squid and the Whale, The Savages, and Happiness.
- How long is Birds of America?
- Birds of America runs 85 minutes.
- Where can I watch Birds of America?
- In United States, Birds of America streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
