Bird (1988): "Now's the Time" to Talk About This One

Alright, cats and kittens, scottscreens here, back with another flick that's stuck in my craw. Just finished rewatching "Bird". Clint Eastwood directed it, don't know why it said Unknown. Now, I know some folks find it a bit slow, but man, I just get lost in Forest Whitaker's performance. He becomes Bird. That scene where he's just improvising in the studio, totally lost in the music? Pure magic. I mean, "I'm gonna soak up the sun!"... he just is the sun in that moment, y'know? Diane Venora as Chan Parker is also incredible. She's got this fierce love for him, even when he's spiraling. Remember when she tries to get him clean? Heartbreaking. The whole movie is a bummer but it's a beautiful bummer, if that makes sense. I will say though, the non-linear storytelling kinda threw me for a loop the first time I saw it. I guess Eastwood wanted to mirror the way Bird's mind worked, but it can be confusing. Look, it ain't a perfect movie. It's long, it's bleak, and it doesn't shy away from the ugly parts of Bird's life. But damn, it's a powerful portrait. And the music, oh man, the music is out of sight! It makes you wanna grab your ax and just wail. It's like, "You gotta love life to live, but you gotta live life to love." Bottom line: if you dig jazz, or just appreciate amazing acting, give "Bird" a spin. Just be prepared for some heavy stuff. But hey, as Bird himself might say, "Relax!" It’ll all work out in the end. Maybe. Or not. shrug