Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets

R

2021

1 hr. 49 min.

Drama

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List

80%

5 Reviews

Tomatometer

76%

50+ Ratings

Audience Score

Sixteen-year-old James Whitman played by Lucas Jade Zumann (20th Century Women, Anne With An 'E'), struggles to overcome anxiety and depression by seeking advice from Dr. Bird voiced by Tom Wilkinson (The Grand Budapest Hotel). In his magical realism inspired world, James goes on a whimsical, but emotionally charged search to solve the mystery of the disappearance of his sister, after an altercation with their parents depicted by Lisa Edelstein (Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce, The Kominsky Method), and Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter, Star Trek: Discovery). While James (Zumann) struggles to connect with his parents, he deals with the intense social anxiety of high school life while navigating first love with Sophie, portrayed by Taylor Russell (Lost in Space, Waves) -- a precocious girl from school who has her own agenda and a boyfriend Martin that hasn't quite learned to let go of her, brought to life by Chase Stokes (Outer Banks). Our two lovestruck teens set out on a quest to find Jorie, finding themselves in what appears to be a cult of sorts, led by David Arquette (Scream series) as Xavier, and into the under belly of NYC nightlife that makes James question every relationship in his life.

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Premiered Jun 20

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Daniel

It is an exceptional movie, really i didn't thought that it was so good, with a touch of Sherlock Holmes and that escenaries that distinguish to HBO Original movies, and with a little bit of comedy, and romance, i really recomend to that. It is an exceptional movie, really i didn't thought that it was so good, with a touch of Sherlock Holmes and that escenaries that distinguish to HBO Original movies, and with a little bit of comedy, and romance, i really recomend to.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/01/22

Full Review

Audience Member

it's a sensitive and aesthetic portray about mental illness and finding beauty in life. a precious gem!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It's too quirky for its own good...trying to weave finding his sister in with a new love interest and advice from a bird - this movie is all over the place. What could be touching is so schmaltzy that it loses its bite altogether.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I watched this movie with my teen kids and we all loved it.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Nothing special. Zumann's forced attempt to be quirky makes you roll your eyes and doesn't make justice into expose the actual feelings of someone with serious mental health. There are bunch of jokes without good sense of comedy and almost 2 hours of a plot that actually isn't explored. The main couple has no chemistry at all, which is ironic since the whole family drama, seriousness of mental health which should be more developed and the focus of the movie is putting aside to put under spotlight a romantic teenage drama that cannot even feel real. This film tries to bring too many things happening at once, hence loosing its essence. Do yourself a favor by watching another movie.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie is very bad in so many levels. Is like a meal with too many ingredients that at first looks nice, but in the end just have a bad taste in your mouth. Most people just watch this movie because the actor who plays Gilbert from Anne with an E is in it and therefore are too bias to actually give a realistic feedback.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

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Yaniv Raz

Director

Lucas Jade Zumann

James

Taylor Russell

Sophie

David Arquette

Xavier

Lisa Edelstein

Elly

Jason Isaacs

Carl

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Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets: Trailer 1

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Cath Clarke

Guardian

The family dysfunction stuff is sensitively handled with some originality...

Rated: 3/5

Jun 15, 2021

Full Review

Glenn Kenny

New York Times

The movie gets so drunk on its stylistic affectations (and unfunny attempts at cerebral comedy) that by the time it sobers up to take James's mental health seriously, it's too little, too late.

Jan 12, 2021

Full Review

Sandie Angulo Chen

Common Sense Media

YA dramedy about anxiety has language, innuendo, drinking.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 26, 2021

Full Review

Cynthia Vinney

CBR

None of this would land, however, if it weren't for Zumann's earnest, heartfelt performance. He perfectly balances James' anxiety with his underlying sweetness as well as his awkward idiosyncrasy.

Jan 12, 2021

Full Review

Nate Adams

The Only Critic

Nobody is asking for originality, but if we believe the central relationship than nothing else matters, and Russell and Zumann are a delight to watch explore their feelings for each other.

Rated: B+

Jan 12, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

Sixteen-year-old James Whitman played by Lucas Jade Zumann (20th Century Women, Anne With An 'E'), struggles to overcome anxiety and depression by seeking advice from Dr. Bird voiced by Tom Wilkinson (The Grand Budapest Hotel). In his magical realism inspired world, James goes on a whimsical, but emotionally charged search to solve the mystery of the disappearance of his sister, after an altercation with their parents depicted by Lisa Edelstein (Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce, The Kominsky Method), and Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter, Star Trek: Discovery). While James (Zumann) struggles to connect with his parents, he deals with the intense social anxiety of high school life while navigating first love with Sophie, portrayed by Taylor Russell (Lost in Space, Waves) -- a precocious girl from school who has her own agenda and a boyfriend Martin that hasn't quite learned to let go of her, brought to life by Chase Stokes (Outer Banks). Our two lovestruck teens set out on a quest to find Jorie, finding themselves in what appears to be a cult of sorts, led by David Arquette (Scream series) as Xavier, and into the under belly of NYC nightlife that makes James question every relationship in his life.

Director: Yaniv Raz
Executive Producer: Artur Galstian, Chris LeDoux, Gareth West, Vahan Yepremyan
Screenwriter: Yaniv Raz
Production Co: Particular Crowd, Ketchup Entertainment, StoryBoard Media, Kreate Films
Rating: R (Sexual Material|Language|A Graphic Nude Image|Teen Partying)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 12, 2021

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