Bluebird is a 2013 drama film written and directed by Lance Edmands. Set and filmed in Northern Maine,[1] it tells the story of how a school bus driver's momentary distraction causes a near-tragedy and affects the whole community.[2] It co-stars Amy Morton, Margo Martindale, John Slattery, Emily Meade, Louisa Krause and Adam Driver. It was filmed in Winter 2012.[3] After opening in limited release on February 27, 2015, it was released on the web on March 1.
| Bluebird | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Lance Edmands |
| Written by | Lance Edmands |
| Produced by | Garrett P. Fennelly Kyle Martin Alexander Schepsman |
| Starring | Amy Morton John Slattery Louisa Krause Emily Meade Margo Martindale Adam Driver |
| Cinematography | Jody Lee Lipes |
| Edited by | Lance Edmands Dino Jonsäter |
| Music by | Danny Bensi Saunder Jurriaans |
Production companies | |
Release date |
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Running time | 90 minutes |
| Countries | United States Sweden |
| Language | English |
Edmands finished the first draft of the screenplay in 2009.[4] During the film's production, it received assistance and funding from the Sundance Institute,[5] the San Francisco Film Society[6] and the Swedish Film Institute.[7] It premiered as part of the World Narrative Feature Competition at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival.[2][8]
Plot
editThis article needs a plot summary. (July 2024) |
Cast
edit- Amy Morton as Lesley
- John Slattery as Richard
- Louisa Krause as Marla
- Emily Meade as Paula
- Margo Martindale as Crystal
- Adam Driver as Walter
Reception
edit
David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter called it "a quietly affecting indie drama likely to win admirers."[8] Indiewire's Rodrigo Perez commented that "Edmands resists all levels of melodrama and sentimentality in Bluebird and yet the picture is just as arresting and emotional as any drama [he's] seen this year, albeit in a quiet manner."[9] Francisco Salazar, writing in Latinos Post, says that "the film's tonal congruity and top-notch performances will surely resonate."[10] Film School Rejects's Kate Erbland mentions that "[c]omparisons to Atom Egoyan's The Sweet Hereafter will likely plague Lance Edmands' Bluebird, thanks to the films' similar subject matter", but comments that "what's most remarkable about Bluebird is its consistently solid performances, many of which frequently approach just flat-out greatness."[11] Stephen Holden of The New York Times, on the other hand, says it "tries a little too hard for atmosphere"[12] but praises Morton's "quietly extraordinary portrayal".[13] Peter Debruge of Variety calls it "a mournful throwback to more poetically inclined times", but says that "Edmands maintains too measured a pace as he cycles through the various lives affected".[14]
References
edit- ^ Sambides, Nick Jr. (February 3, 2012). "Independent film to shoot in Lincoln this weekend". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
- ^ a b Drumm, Diana (March 6, 2013). "Tribeca Film Festival 2013 Slate Includes 'Before Midnight,' 'Mobius,' Films With Naomi Watts, Vince Vaughn & Much More". The Playlist. Indiewi. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
- ^ Roberts, Laura (February 28, 2012). "Independent Movie Filming in Katahdin Region". WABI-TV. Archived from the original on 2012-07-01. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
- ^ Dollar, Steve (April 11, 2013). "At Tribeca, Light for Longtime Projects". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2013-04-11.
- ^ "Bluebird". Archives. Sundance Institute. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
- ^ "SFFS/KRF Filmmaking Grant Award Winner: Bluebird". Archived from the original on 2013-02-03. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
- ^ Holdsworth, Nick (June 14, 2012). "Swedish Film Institute backs 'Bluebird'". Variety. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
- ^ a b Rooney, David (April 18, 2013). "Bluebird: Tribeca Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2013-04-18.
- ^ Perez, Rodrigo (April 19, 2013). "Tribeca Review: 'Bluebird' Is A Well-Observed & Striking Debut About Family, Connectedness & Consequences". Indiewire. Archived from the original on April 25, 2013. Retrieved 2013-04-19.
- ^ Salazar, Francisco (April 19, 2013). "Tribeca Film Festival 2013 Competition - 'Bluebird' Movie Review: A Bleak Picture With Resounding Performances And Artful Congruity". Latinos Post. Retrieved 2013-04-21.
- ^ Erbland, Kate (April 21, 2013). "Tribeca 2013 Review: Beautiful 'Bluebird' Heralds Arrival of An Impressive New Indie Voice". Film School Rejects. Archived from the original on 2013-04-24. Retrieved 2013-04-21.
- ^ Holden, Stephen (April 11, 2013). "A Festival Now Comfortable in Its Skin". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-04-23.
- ^ Holden, Stephen (February 26, 2015). "Review: In 'Bluebird,' Momentary Distraction Sets Off a Chain of Misery". The New York Times. Retrieved 2015-02-27.
- ^ Debruge, Peter (April 24, 2013). "Tribeca Film Review: 'Bluebird'". Variety. Retrieved 2013-04-25.