Review of Freebird (2008) by Peter M — 16 Mar 2010

The brilliant thing about Withnail & I is that it captures that not long left college and life could go either way moment along with all its other finery. There are no ducks flying to Moscow here, but there is a dwarf lurking in a tree.

Freebird is something for those who probably never considered higher education and just went straight to work aged 15/16. I know some of the broad sheets stuck the knife into this film when it came out in Cinemas but I saw it at a packed house in Hailsham and everybody seemed to really enjoy it.

I grew up in the forest of Dean and this took me straight back to my mushrooming and dope days (had some great mates - hate to think what they're all up to now - probably running the local council).

I've watched it a couple of times on DVD and already I see the film as an old mate that will stay forever as part of my collection (how can I like this film and the Dambusters - doesn't seem right somehow) I certainly edge towards the second half of this film and I think the social interacting scenes with the locals are brilliantly done.

I like the mix of the three lead characters and there really is some lovely writing in here along with some very quotable lines and dare I say a good smattering of integrity. I have tried to obtain the soundtrack, but it has not been released (shame, as it's a corker).

Someone told me it was originally a stage play, not quite sure how that worked but i'm sure it was fun. I liked the little Shakespearian touches/references that seem to crop up throughout the film (also spotted the Dylan Thomas ref as well) and like all little gems, there will always be little things to discover like the final scene giving a nod to Easyrider as they start they're next journey.

All in all a genuinely unpretentious piece of film making (love it!).