“Bird” is a 2024 drama film in which the versatile Andrea Arnold is in the lead; she is well-known for her signature social realisms in projects such as “Fish Tank,” and, “American Honey.” Newcomer Nykiya Adams who plays Bailey, a 12-year-old girl living with her father Bug (played by Barry Keoghan) and her brother Hunter in a North Kent squat. While in that community, Bailey meets the enigmatic Bird, who is played by Franz Rogowski, and in one way or another, her life was never the same.
Plot Overview: From the synopsis, a compelling reason to strengths that Bailey projects a view of her life which is shaped by her father’s instability and her brother’s criminal enterprise that is organized. Bird’s quest for fun first acquainted her with the person, anthropomorphizing herdc06 into an unknown quest rescues Bailey and subsequently from her environment or background blends into a space where ever she wanted to evade to.
Cast Highlights:
- Nykiya Adams (Bailey): In her debut role, Adams delivers a compelling performance, capturing the innocence and resilience of a young girl on the cusp of adolescence.
- Barry Keoghan (Bug): Keoghan portrays Bailey’s father, a well-meaning but flawed man whose unconventional schemes add complexity to their family dynamics.
- Franz Rogowski (Bird): Rogowski embodies the titular character with a blend of mystery and warmth, contributing to the film’s magical realism.
Critical Reception: ‘Bird’ is universally praised by the critics. It has an approval rating of 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on an average rating of 7.4/10 from 114 reviews. The critics’ consensus states: ‘Director Andrea Arnold strikes a coming-of-age chord through Nykiya Adams’ moving performance, synthesizing fantasy and reality to the overwhelming climax.’
As per Metacritic, the film bears a weighted average score of 74 out of 100, describing a “generally favorable” reception.
Cultural and Social Significance: Andrea Arnold’s “Bird” provides yet another example of the life that Arnold describes in relation to people that Macedonian societies tend to ignore, in this case, the hopes and dreams of the young women in the underprivileged areas. It is present in the film that incorporation of social realism in the setting alongside magical realism components engenders an important statement in regard to the theme of escapism prevalent among people living in repressive settings.
Where to Watch: Through MUBI, the film made its theatrical debut in certain areas on November 8, 2024, whereas the film was grossly introduced to the masses on the 16th of May at the 77th Cannes Film Festival across the United States and United Kingdom. Currently, the film can be streamed on MUBI
