Directed by Judy Irving, a homeless musician finds meaning to his life when he starts a friendship with dozens of parrots. Starring: Mark Bittner, Maggie McCall, Ivan Stormgart, Gary Thompson, Elizabeth Wright and Jamie Yorck.
Within The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, and right from the very beginning, there is a kind, loving atmosphere and it’s sweet and wholesome to watch unfold. It almost feels like Mark Bittner’s entire persona of caring so much about these birds would be appreciated a lot more today than when the film first released twenty years ago. That type of unerring passion is celebrated now versus perhaps being treated as strange in decades past.
Although Bittner does certainly have a unique enthusiasm, much like a lot of the other people featured in the documentary. To that extent, it creates this blend of a personal journey and a nature documentary. While the focus falls on Bittner, there also a good amount to learn about the birds, their nature and how they can adapt to different environments, or even the threats that they face. In the last regard, it can perhaps become slightly over dramatic and lose its free-flowing edge.
Judy Irving’s directorial style feels structured but with the air of home movies. There’s a very close and personal perspective, opening up this conversation with Bittner and exposing that overflowing kindness. It can be a little over softened at times and struggle to create a sense of variety, hitting a lot of the same notes throughout.
The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill has a lot of warmth to offer, exploring one man’s sincere and kind passion. It may still seem strange to some but for those with an open mind and willing to celebrate the commitment of others, even if they don’t share them, it’s a truly wholesome watch. The style is extremely simple and it doesn’t always hit the perfect tone but it’s sweet and relaxing.
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