THE WILD PARROTS OF TELEGRAPH HILL
A film review by David N. Butterworth
Copyright 2005 David N. Butterworth
*** (out of ****)
Transplanted Seattle native Mark Bittner doesn't like to be
characterized as an eccentric yet he has no job, lives rent free off
the kindness of strangers, and above all talks to parrots. He doesn't
just talk to them, mind you. He feeds them, assigns them names and
individual identities, and takes them into his San Francisco home when
they get sick, nurturing them back to health like a doting parent.
Although officially wild, these birds--non-native residents of the City
by the Bay that number close to 50 in Bittner's neck of the woods--are
often mistaken for the denim-clad, pony tailed hippie's pets by the
many tourists who frequent the recognizable neighborhood of Telegraph
Hill. That's partly because Bittner seems to know the flock members so
intimately, discussing their distinct peculiarities and habits,
pointing out Connor here, Sophie there, Mingus over there--personifying
them. Judy Irving's gentle documentary "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph
Hill" (based on Bittner's memoirs) would, on the surface, appear to be
about the winged occupants of the famous San Francisco landmark atop
which stands the distinctive Coit Tower yet it ultimately reveals more
about the former homeless musician and his love for these birds than
anything else. Not only is the film a tribute to man's humanity
towards his fellow creatures but it's also a love story on a
surprisingly different level. As the film progresses Bittner emerges
as a surprising authority on these birds--cherry-headed and blue-crown
conures--to the point of often being consulted by zoological and
ornithological experts. Irving, a former producer of industrial films,
makes some fledgling mistakes here and there (awful music, unnecessary
subtitles, etc.) but overall her passion for her subjects shine through
in this G-rated and extremely family friendly film.
--
David N. Butterworth
dnb@dca.net
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online at http://members.dca.net/dnb
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