“ Bird : Un sapo, una niña y ¡Coldplay!” Esta película se me hizo difícil al inicio, pero termina cautivando, sobre todo gracias a la música. Sigue a Bailey (Nykiya Adams), una niña de 12 años que vive con su padre Bug (Barry Keoghan) y su hermano Hunter (Jason Buda) en un barrio complicado. Cuando Bug decide casarse, Bailey se siente desplazada y molesta, lo que genera un fuerte conflicto interno. Al principio me costó conectar; la sentí vacía, sin alma. Pero todo cambió a partir del minuto 20, cuando aparece Bird (Franz Rogowski). Su relación con Bailey es natural, mágica, y a partir de ahí empecé a ver la película con otros ojos. Vemos cómo Bailey lucha por sobresalir, por ser escuchada, por ser feliz en un entorno que parece apagarla. Bug, a quien odié al principio, terminó sorprendiéndome. Todos los personajes tienen un giro, sobre todo Bird, que en un punto se vuelve una figura casi metafórica, y eso transforma el guion en algo inesperadamente mágico, en el buen sentido. La dirección de Andrea Arnold es potente: saca lo mejor del elenco, especialmente de Nykiya Adams. Usa cámara en mano, planos secuencia, primeros planos, y la música juega un papel clave. Hay una escena donde le cantan Yellow de Coldplay a un sapo que es tan absurda como conmovedora. La fotografía es buena, aunque no lo que más destaco. Las dos horas se sienten largas, pero necesarias. En resumen, Una película que cuesta al principio, pero termina tocando el alma. Con música, ternura y una dirección íntima, se transforma en un viaje emocional sobre crecer, ser vista y querer ser feliz, incluso en medio del caos.

I love her films...is that wrong, given they're so real and sometimes harrowing. This has something magical in it and the end made me cry. More please.

Reminiscent of the other Andrea Arnold films (Fish Tank, American Honey) but with some fantasy or magical realism included. Much in the same league as those other two, with similar social issues and a teenage female protagonist

Bird is a beautifully authentic film, a film about family and coping with family. Acclaimed director Andrea Arnold always makes film brimming with social realism and Bird does this but also adds on a layer of magical realism. The film is set in Kent where we meet Bailey, the 12 year old daughter of Bug. They live in a run down area in a decrepit apartment block. Bug is near broke but always has new schemes to make money. He is about to remarry too, to Kayleigh. Bailey is not pleased with this. Bailey also has a half brother too, in Hunter, who is part of a strange young vigilante group. Then we have Bird. Bailey meets Bird, an odd and slightly mystical character who is searching for his mother. The film really dives deep into their lives with biting realism. But there are also elements of magical realism floating through the film as well. It's a strong and robust film with great performances. Barry Keoghan and Franz Rogowski are great as expected but newcomer Nykiya Adams almost steals the film. This is a superb film that should stay with you long after the credits end.

Beautiful film, love at the core regardless of the dysfunction

What a great film, I was thoroughly transfixed throughout. I might be biased as I was born and raised in Gravesend so particularly liked seeing the familiar scenery! Very thought provoking, loved all the characters, gritty, sadly true to life in that part of our world.

Loved it! I was totally held by this beautiful film, reminds me of the colours of Martin Parr photography. Oh, Barrie overacts a bit , maybe a Kent bloke would have been better, and too many crap tattoos on him to believable.

The magical aspect of the movie came as late surprise, though the raven's helping with Hunter's note to Moon serves as some kind of foreshadowing for it. The movie was engaging in a strange way. Chaos and dilapidation from the get-go cannot get any worse, and hope must be on its way. And I wasn't disappointed!

Some good stuff, thought the crossover to fantasy kind of didn't work fully for me. Good acting, good music. Made me realise the South of England wasn't all affluence!

This film is pure magic. Nobody could have made it who did not love people, and who didn't believe in the power of love. But it also brought nature close - so close that the crows are watching and the boy was taken by his feathered family. There are endless horrors, but none of these are irredeemable. What a powerful piece of storytelling - and the acting is so beautiful.

wow! breathtaking, moving.

The insertion of magical realism into the type of story that would typically only be a kitchen sink style drama is interesting but I'm just not convinced that it totally works here or was ultimately necessary.

I’m not too sure what it was all about but the characters brought me on the journey.

Raw, deep, beautifully filmed.

How brilliantly director Andrea Arnold tells this moving, troubling and ultimately inspiring coming-of-age movie has everything to do with her own upbringing. Not just filmed in her native Kent, finding beauty in the poverty of the London hinterlands, she also recalls her own upbringing, leaving School at 16 and with parents who were the same age and who split up young. So yes, it’s Biographical in part and really helped by some excellent acting and best of all lots of local people who just happened to be around on the Various council estates where it’s made. A special Mention must go to the soundtrack, which which is nothing short of inspirational.

Horrendous living conditions. People really live like this?

Absolutely fantastic. Bittersweet and heartbreaking journey of growing up.

well written, masterpiece, the director gave a fresh and flowing feel. i was uncomfortable at times and thats what made this film good.

When this turned fantastical I was inwardly rebelling - this was a cop out after so much frank truth, by the end I forgave the license & felt more deeply touched than I could have been without it - performances are magnificent, so is the writing/cinematography - people say “fish tank” is better - maybe it is, and I forgot I had seen it. I don’t think I’ll forget Bird, or the needful way it confirms our solidarities. A new favorite - pacing issues aside, I’ll be recommending it to whoever will listen, it’s got a place on the DVD shelf in my heart.

A beautifully shot, thought provoking film with great writing and performances. Low scores and slating reviews are fascinating, open your mind and think about the themes on a higher than face-value level and you’ll find something brilliant with Bird.