HI ALL:
Here is a review of the movie!

Ian Paulsen
Bainbridge Island, WA, USA
ipaulsen at krl.org
A.K.A.: "Birdbooker"
"Rallidae all the way"

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 8 Jun 2002 13:26:42 -0300
From: Blake Maybank <maybank at NS.SYMPATICO.CA>
To: BIRDCHAT at listserv.arizona.edu
Subject: Re: [BIRDCHAT] "Rare Birds" the movie

Hi Birdchatters;

"Rare Birds" is indeed a movie, a Canadian production, based on the novel
of the same name. As with so many "foreign" films, it has a slim chance of
ever appearing in a cinema in the U.S. of A., as Hollywood has a firm lock
on most screens across the country. But as it is now available on video
and DVD, by all means go out a see it. I reviewed the movie for readers
here in Nova Scotia, and include the review here, in the hopes it might
inspire you to rush out and rent a copy.

"As a movie "Rare Birds" is more than a slight entertainment, and in light
of a distressingly poor year for the cinema in 2001, it shines a bit more
brightly than it might otherwise have done. The film, a Canadian
production, stars William Hurt, who plays a chef living in Push Through
Cove, Newfoundland, whose restaurant and marriage are both on the rocks.
His buddy Phonse (Andy Jones) offers a solution, suggesting they fake a
sighting of a rare bird to encourage fanatic birders to visit the Cove,
thereby increasing business at the restaurant, appropriately named "The
Auk." Accordingly, they "leak" word of a sighting of a Tasker's
Sulphureous Duck to the media, and soon Push Through Cove is inundated with
birders, all eager for a glimpse of a lifer, and apparently willing to
dress up for gourmet meals in "The Auk". Other elements of the movie
include a "RSV," the "Winnebagos," a Newfie S.W.A.T. team, a cache of
cocaine, and a love interest, when William Hurt takes a shine to Phonse's
sister (well-played by Molly Parker). I laughed frequently during this
movie, enjoying its delightfully dark (occasionally slapstick) humour, and
chuckling at William Hurt's rather odd on-again, off-again Newfoundland
accent.

And everyone should get the chance to learn about Tasker's Sulphureous
Duck, a fine-looking fowl, indeed. I've never seen one myself, nor I have
I seen the somewhat more widespread (but still rare) Common Sulphureous
Duck. Some day, with luck, I may chance upon one -- perhaps in Come By
Chance? Much of the exterior was shot at Cape Spear, a beautiful locale,
and a great birding spot in reality, as well as in the movie. Seeing the
film brought back Cape Spear birding memories, including Prairie Warbler,
Northern Wheatear, Gyrfalcon, King Eider, and many more fine birds,
although I never saw Tasker's Sulphureous Duck. The movie is based upon
the book of the same title by Edward Riche."

Blake Maybank
maybank at birdingtheamericas.com

Birding the Americas - Trip Report & Planning Repository
http://www.birdingtheamericas.com

"The National Parks and Other Wild Places of Canada"
http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/maybank/book.htm

White's Lake, Nova Scotia
CANADA

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