Review of The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill (2003) by Leigh G — 14 Aug 2010
An exquisite film.
In the early 1970s, pony-tailed protagonist Bittner drifts into San Fran's North Beach to live what's life's left in the Beat Generation, homeless for 15 years, sleeping on rooftops, voraciously reading philosophy at City Lights, but still the aimless dharma bum. Then, when he starts feeding a pair of wild cherry-crowned parrots, his karma, his purpose in life, slowly envelopes him.
As the flock grows - as Bittner humbly, quietly, tends to its needs - so does community word-of-mouth. Small generosities yield much of what Bittner and the birds require: a latte and biscotti, a bag of bird-seed, a rent-free home near the flocks' perch. And then so much more. An education in ornithology, a niche in photography, a journal that becomes a published book, a stream of income, even love - a full life - all finds its way to Bittner while he simply stays upon the gentle path these birds have unknowingly provided him. Would that life only yield any of us such karma.
There's more anthropomorphism here than a viewer will find in any other film. Bittner knows every individual bird's most intimate social and behavioral details - and patient camera-work substantiates his every word, making the extensive gandering of these parrots not just visually lush but intellectually fascinating as well.
Be sure to savor the new landlords squirming while trying to explain away their eviction of Bittner.
RECOMMENDATION: A gentle, inspiring lesson in what intrinsic purpose, true leadership and pursuit of one's passion can yield. Well recommended.
This review of The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill (2003) was written by Leigh G on 14 Aug 2010.
The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill has generally received very positive reviews.
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