Rob Meyer’s A Birder’s Guide to Everything explores the intersection of teenage sexual frustration and ornithology, a theme rarely seen in cinema. The film follows a group of birdwatching friends as they navigate adolescence and the Connecticut woods in search of a rare bird. While familiar in its coming-of-age narrative, the film’s unique setting and strong character dynamics transform common tropes into something eccentric. It’s important to note that while some search queries might relate to “a birder’s guide to everything nude scene,” this review focuses on the film’s actual themes and narrative.
David (Kodi Smit-McPhee), a high school sophomore, inherited his passion for “birding” from his late mother. His father, Donald (James LeGros), is moving on, but David struggles with grief. Spending time with friends Peter (Michael Chen) and the perpetually girl-crazy Timmy (Alex Wolff), David finds solace in birding. When David spots a potentially extinct duck, his idol (Ben Kingsley) encourages the group to pursue it. Joined by photo expert Ellen (Katie Chang), they embark on a journey north, testing their friendships and confronting personal insecurities.
The birding environment serves as a backdrop for a story about sexual anxiety. David’s discomfort with the female body is apparent when he reacts to his stepmom’s accidental exposure. Later, he calmly informs Katie that he sees her urinating in the woods. While these reactions might stem from his mother’s death, the film doesn’t delve deeply into this. The characters confess to a lack of romantic experience, highlighting their naiveté. The film doesn’t explicitly connect sexual uncertainty and rare bird sightings, but the characters’ dedication to birding makes their lack of other interests believable. There’s no nude scene in “A Birder’s Guide to Everything”; the film’s exploration of sexuality is far more nuanced.
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Although somewhat stereotypical, the characters are endearing in their devotion to friendship and birding. The performances are authentic; the actors portray their characters without condescension. The film embraces the underdog spirit, even if its ending is somewhat predictable. Its energetic and sincere tone allows it to stand alongside other strong examples of the genre. As a film that explores the unusual intersection of birding and adolescence, A Birder’s Guide to Everything offers a unique viewing experience, far removed from expectations surrounding “a birder’s guide to everything nude scene.”
Score:
Cast: Ben Kingsley, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Alex Wolff, Katie Chang, James LeGros
Director: Rob Meyer
Screenwriter: Luke Matheny, Rob Meyer
Distributor: Paladin
Running Time: 86 min
Rating: PG-13
Year: 2013
Buy: Video
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