Little Wing movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Little Wing

This coming-of-age drama is now available to watch on on the Paramount+ subscription channel, as well as on Amazon Prime, YouTube for pay, and The Roku Channel.

RATING: PG-13

LENGTH: 1 hour 40 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: B

IN A NUTSHELL:

At the beginning of the movie, we read on the screen words that inform us that Americans move, on average, every five years; pigeons almost never move. Racing pigeons have a fixed, profound and nearly incontrovertible sense of home.

And thus begins the symbolism of a 13-year-old girl who is dragged into the world of pigeon racing as she deals with her parents’ divorce and the impending loss of her home.

The film was directed by Dean Israelite. Writing credits go to John Gatins and Susan Orlean.

THINGS I LIKED:

Brooklynn Prince does a fantastic job portraying a moody, frustrated teen trying to navigate her parents’ divorce, losing her childhood home, and finding her place in the crazy world.
Brian Cox adds the perfect element of a crusty, old mentor.
I’ve always liked Kelly Reilly
Che Tafari gives us an adorable best friend for the protagonist. We won’t talk about the fact that he screams like a girl. Ha ha
I remember the day I found out my parents were getting divorced. I was only 10 years old, so it felt like my whole world was falling apart. It was devastating and confusing and hard.
The movie takes place in Portland, Oregon. I’ve been there a couple of times and saw signs around town, bragging that the city is the “Weirdest City in the World.” They have a rival though. Austen, Texas has the slogan “Keep Austin Weird.” Ha ha I’m going there in April, so I’ll keep you posted on who I think the winner is.
Slow-motion walking always makes me laugh out loud when characters are trying to be extra cool and tough.
The title is really great and refers to a kid who is learning, as well as to pigeons.
The last few minutes brought tears to my eyes.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Who gives pigeons as a gift to a 13-year-old girl to help her get over her parents’ divorce? Strange gift, right?
There’s a plot point I didn’t understand. If a pigeon will only return to its home that it loves, what good would it do to steal or buy someone else’s pigeon to try to win a race? Wouldn’t that pigeon just return to its original homeowner?
There’s a scene that’s kind of a heist and all of the characters make a lot of noise yelling at each other in the street for everyone to hear. Not smart, right?

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Teens going through their parents’ divorce will definitely be able to relate to this story.
Talk of making out and kissing with tongue
No profanity except words like “woopty friggin doo” and “pissed”.
Talk of suicide as a “permanent solution to a temporary problem”
Talk of the Vietnam War
Teens do some dangerous things.
Kissing

THEMES:

Divorce
Redemption
Hope
Family
Home
Cancer
Financial debt
Veterans
Life and death
Real estate and mortgages
Unlikely friendships

FUNNY LINES:

“I’m going to steal a bird from the Russian pigeon mafia.” – Kaitlyn McKay (Brooklynn Prince) “That sounds like a really dumb idea. I’ll get my stuff.” – Matt McKay (Simon Khan)
“Your brother is crazier than I am!” – Jaan Vari (Brian Cox)

INTERESTING LINES:

“I couldn’t rely on my parents anymore for anything. I needed to take matters into my own hands.” – Kaitlyn (Brooklynn Prince)
“I have to take risks because why else would you be alive? Because you only have one life to live.” – Kaitlyn quoting a punk rocker (Brooklynn Prince)
“Pigeon racing is known as the poor man’s horse racing.” – Kaitlyn (Brooklynn Prince)
“We’re all dying, Kaitlyn. Some of us are just doing it a little faster than everyone else.” – Jaan Vari (Brian Cox)
“Everything can be alright as long as you’re not alone.” – Jaan Vari (Brian Cox)
“Matt did something I hadn’t seen him do in two years: he smiled.” – Kaitlyn (Brooklynn Prince)
“I wanted to tell you the meaning of life, Kaitlyn. Life is sweet.” – Kaitlyn (Brooklynn Prince)
“Life can hurt. Life can be the 8^th grade. But when you really think about it, life is sweet.” – Kaitlyn (Brooklynn Prince)