THE WILD PARROTS OF TELEGRAPH HILL
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2005 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): ** 1/2
Judy Irving's THE WILD PARROTS OF TELEGRAPH HILL is a sweet little film that is a surprising hit at the art houses. A movie that would seem destined to play once on some nature channel and be quickly forgotten has instead become a movie that resonates positively and passionately with almost all of those who see it. Certainly that is what I had heard universally before I went to see it.
The film is about the wild parrots in San Francisco and about an eccentric named Mark Bittner, an unemployed but well-spoken fiftyish guy with a ponytail. He cares for a large flock of the birds that live in his neighborhood. The movie covers many little stories with one of the best being various urban legends about how these exotic parrots, whose ancestors were originally pets, got unleashed into their non-native environment of San Francisco.
The cinematography is rather washed out, but the lush colors of the birds still come through reasonably well. The parrots are noisy, gregarious and territorial -- a lot like some humans I've known. I enjoyed my time with Bittner and his birds, but, when I left, the mystery had not been solved for me. I still can't figure out why this film has attracted such a loyal following when so many better documentaries are ignored or never even booked into theaters. Still, the birds were cute, and I'm always happy to see documentaries make some money since they are my favorite genre.
THE WILD PARROTS OF TELEGRAPH HILL runs 1:23. It is rated G and would be acceptable for all ages.
The film is playing in nationwide release now in the United States. In the Silicon Valley, it is showing at the Camera Cinemas.
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