Blackbird

Name: Blackbird
Genre: Drama
Released: September 18, 2020
Duration: 97 min
Rating: 53
Cast: Anson Boon, Bex Taylor-Klaus, Kate Winslet, Lindsay Duncan, Mia Wasikowska

2020

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

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6.6

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6.6	Your Score
6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

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Blackbird

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Movie Details & Credits

Screen Media Films | Release Date: September 18, 2020 | R

Starring: Anson Boon, Bex Taylor-Klaus, Kate Winslet, Lindsay Duncan, Mia Wasikowska, Rainn Wilson, Sam Neill, Susan Sarandon

Summary: Lily (Susan Sarandon) and Paul (Sam Neill) summon their loved ones to their beach house for one final gathering after Lily decides to end her long battle with ALS. The couple is planning a loving weekend complete with holiday traditions, but the mood becomes strained when unresolved issues surface between Lily and her daughters JenniferLily (Susan Sarandon) and Paul (Sam Neill) summon their loved ones to their beach house for one final gathering after Lily decides to end her long battle with ALS. The couple is planning a loving weekend complete with holiday traditions, but the mood becomes strained when unresolved issues surface between Lily and her daughters Jennifer (Kate Winslet) and Anna (Mia Wasikowska). Joining the collective farewell are Lily’s son in law (Rainn Wilson), her lifelong friend (Lindsay Duncan), daughter’s partner (Bex Taylor-Klaus) and grandson (Anson Boon). … Expand

Director: Roger Michell

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 97 min

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Critic Reviews

The Telegraph Robbie Collin

Oct 8, 2019

If Blackbird shows us anything it’s that no matter how carefully we plan, life resists perfection, right up to the end. Read full review

Richard Roeper

Sep 16, 2020

The material can get awfully sudsy and we can see a couple of the big reveals coming two scenes in advance, but on balance this is a well-written, moving story bolstered by an outstanding cast. Read full review

Andy Howell

Sep 13, 2019

Even though you can see the strings in the puppet act, the plight of the characters still sometimes manages to get to you. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Sep 16, 2020

Director Roger Michell (“Venus,”Notting Hill”) cast this well and earns stellar on-the-nose performances from Sarandon, Wilson, Duncan and Wasikowska. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Nell Minow

Sep 18, 2020

The entire story takes place in and around a spectacular house with curiously sterile interiors that are more like the setting of a magazine ad for expensive liquor than a home real people live in. The bigger problem is that the world of the characters is not fully inhabited either. Read full review

Jesse Hassenger

Sep 15, 2020

With its quasi-literary tone and over-calculated concessions to the messiness of real life, the movie settles for coming across like a clumsy amalgamation of the wonderful Amy Bloom short story “Love Is Not A Pie” and the 1998 Sarandon tearjerker "Stepmom." The hollow, unsatisfying feeling the movie leaves behind may be the most authentically funereal thing about it. Read full review

Leslie Felperin

Sep 8, 2019

There almost isn't a single shot in it where every member of the cast isn't Acting ... The result is, at times, insufferably pleased with itself. Read full review

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Brent_Marchant

Sep 21, 2020

The right to die is one of those topics that tends to divide moviegoers along rigidly defined lives, and that's very likely going to be the case about "Blackbird," an American remake of the 2014 Danish offering "Silent Heart." When a woman seriously afflicted with ALS sees what lies aheadThe right to die is one of those topics that tends to divide moviegoers along rigidly defined lives, and that's very likely going to be the case about "Blackbird," an American remake of the 2014 Danish offering "Silent Heart." When a woman seriously afflicted with ALS sees what lies ahead for her, she decides to gather her family together for a final holiday celebration -- and a celebration of life -- as a prelude to ending her earthly existence. It's a time to finish unfinished business, to say what's gone unsaid and to reverently honor our power of choice. This touching, thought-provoking, deeply moving drama examines the dynamics within a family wrestling with this notion while honestly and lovingly addressing the heartfelt feelings associated with such a profound and intentional choice. While a few story elements don't work quite as well as they probably could have, most of the narrative is handled sensitively and realistically, all brought to life by the superb performances of its stellar ensemble, particularly Susan Sarandon, Sam Neill, Mia Wasikowska and Lindsay Duncan. This release is will obviously disturb some viewers, but others, like yours truly, will be deeply moved -- and poignantly reminded that what we do with our lives (especially in the now) is up to us and no one else's business.… Expand

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KenR

Mar 29, 2022

A sad story that’s maybe a little too propelled by modern styling:- Expensive house by the sea looking a little too much like one selected for a commercial make-over show, modern potty-mouthed characters who we are supposed to warm to and sympathize with, the token gender-confused pair toA sad story that’s maybe a little too propelled by modern styling:- Expensive house by the sea looking a little too much like one selected for a commercial make-over show, modern potty-mouthed characters who we are supposed to warm to and sympathize with, the token gender-confused pair to keep it in a PC vain, weed puffers, etc...Once the storytellers get over setting the scene, there are some challenging situations dealing with euthanasia. Here, thankfully, it pretty much presents the theme from both sides of the emotional spectrum– mostly leaving the audience to judge for itself. And while it does suggest possible abuses that could surround assisted dying, it never-the-less ends as a solid nod to the activity. Farewells are seldom, if ever easy, so expect some challenging moments exposing those raw edges that can easily hide in family closets. Performances are mostly intense and convincing, with the cast helping to smooth over some of the shaky bits. Along the way, there are some nice touches examining those misunderstandings that often produce those silly gaps between generations of relatives, as well as parents and siblings. Even though it’s not Christmas, Christmas is the ‘theme’ chosen for the final family celebration together (not sure why, as it’s a Christ-less Christmas) I’ve heard that the term Black-Birding refers to leaving a social type situation without anyone knowing you’ve gone but that hardly applies here, so not sure why this movie should be titled Blackbird. Cinematically it looks polished and is graced by a thoughtful and interesting music score. At least this family gets to share their last goodbye or the parting glass together. Heavy going but mostly realistic and often thoughtful.… Expand

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