The Ornithologist

Name: The Ornithologist
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Mystery
Released: June 23, 2017
Duration: 117 min
Rating: 85
Cast: Alexandre Alverca, André Freitas, Chan Suan, Flora Bulcao, Han Wen

2017

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 14 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 17 Ratings

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5.9

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5.9	Your Score
5.9	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 17 Ratings

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The Ornithologist

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Movie Details & Credits

Strand Releasing | Release Date: June 23, 2017 | Unrated

Starring: Alexandre Alverca, André Freitas, Chan Suan, Flora Bulcao, Han Wen, Isabelle Puntel, João Pedro Rodrigues, Juliane Elting, Paul Hamy, Xelo Cagiao

Summary: Fernando, a solitary ornithologist, is looking for black storks when he is swept away by the rapids. Rescued by a couple of Chinese pilgrims, he plunges into an eerie and dark forest, trying to get back on his track. [Strand Releasing]

Director: João Pedro Rodrigues

Genre(s): Adventure, Drama, Mystery

Rating: Unrated

Runtime: 117 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Boyd van Hoeij

Jan 3, 2017

Though clearly not a proposition for either devout Christians or audiences for whom the multiplex is a temple, this is the kind of take-no-prisoners art house fare that advances and deepens the understanding of a singular director’s oeuvre as a whole. Read full review

100

Melissa Anderson

Jun 20, 2017

Though full of mysteries, and, like all of Rodrigues’s work, consistently unpredictable from scene to scene, The Ornithologist may be the director’s most conventional narrative. Read full review

100

Justin Chang

Jun 29, 2017

The Ornithologist” is both an opaque narrative and a deeply inviting one. Even as the film commences a series of radical formal and dramatic mutations, you are held rapt by the steadiness of the camera’s gaze and the sublime, sun-dappled beauty that it invariably discovers. Read full review

The Film Stage Ethan Vestby

Jan 3, 2017

It’s clear the film may be a goof on Rodrigues’ part, but good thing it’s at least funny enough to not just sustain, but build its laughs to the very end. Read full review

Ben Nicholson

Jan 3, 2017

It's a film swimming in symbolism, transgressive eroticism and perplexing details that will infuriate some audiences but for others will add to its irresistible allure. Read full review

G. Allen Johnson

Jul 5, 2017

The Ornithologist has its pleasures. Perhaps one day Rodrigues will turn his considerable talent and unique approach to a portrait of the real-life St. Anthony, in the way that Roberto Rossellini paid tribute to his hero in “The Flowers of St. Francis.” Read full review

Ignatiy Vishnevetsky

Jun 21, 2017

Perhaps The Ornithologist lends itself so well to scholarly unpacking because it has too little of its own to offer. Maybe it’s healthier to just enjoy the light bouncing from the water to Hamy’s abs. Read full review

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User Reviews

Bikerjames

Jul 10, 2018

What a difficult movie to review. This movie is weird, and as the movie progresses it gets weirder and weirder. I don't profess to understanding the end of the movie at all. Still, I admit it was not only watchable but kind of mesmerizing. I guess the movie is based on the life of aWhat a difficult movie to review. This movie is weird, and as the movie progresses it gets weirder and weirder. I don't profess to understanding the end of the movie at all. Still, I admit it was not only watchable but kind of mesmerizing. I guess the movie is based on the life of a Saint? Not sure. The film is very slow and methodical. Beautiful to look at. But it's not for everyone.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

whostosay

Jul 9, 2017

Granted the movie locals were visually stunning. But the storyline was ponderous, incongruous and often incomprehensible. And the occasional addition of religious imagery to suggest spiritual depth didn't begin to adequately fill in the gaps.

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

bkengland

Dec 27, 2017

Yes, the photography was good (although it's the locales largely to be credited for this), but the storyline, such as it is, is not at all compelling. You'll wait and wait, but nothing of substance happens, and the acting styles don't work here either. Ahh, if only the professional reviewersYes, the photography was good (although it's the locales largely to be credited for this), but the storyline, such as it is, is not at all compelling. You'll wait and wait, but nothing of substance happens, and the acting styles don't work here either. Ahh, if only the professional reviewers had helped to direct me away from this one!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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