Doug (Rhys Darby) has just been jilted by longtime galfriend, Susan. An item for two years, Susan can't stand the fact the Doug still lives in the house he inherited when his parents died, she'd prefer something more upscale. Also, she detests the fact that he adores the rock band Queen, having a wall devoted to their photos and playing their music constantly. So, she's had enough and walks out the door. Hurting immensely, Doug keeps the breakup news from his best buds at work and at play. Luckily, this road worker's attentions soon get diverted. A rare black duck lands on his roof, having broken a wing. Rescuing the bird, he takes it to a nearby small zoo, where the expert on winged creatures, Holly (Sally Hawkins) says she can't help him. Instead, she hands him a phone number for a nearby vet (Bryan Brown, how nice to see him!). Declaring that the bird will never fly again, the doc suggests that Doug foster it until he can find another solution. Settling the duck, which he names Pierre, with his own room, complete with Doug's former wading pool, he soon becomes very fond of his feathered friend. They sleep together and sometimes even take a bath together, when Pierre hops right in. Meanwhile, since Doug liked the looks of Holly, he tries to get "something going" with this nice lady. But, there are complications. Holly has a son, Taylor, who misses his deceased dad and detests Doug on sight. Then, Susan returns to make small overtures to her former flame once more. This confuses Doug, naturally. Between going to trivia contests at his favorite bar friends, trying to decide who he loves, and caring for Pierre, who suddenly gets lost in a woods, what will be Doug's near future expectations? Just ducky, that's what this movie is, viewers will adore it. Hawkins, a Brit star, is always welcome while Darby is handsome and charming. Other cast members of many ethnic groups are total delights, too. As for the scenery, how wonderful and exotic it is, looking nothing like other places on earth. The script is clever, the costumes are winning, and the direction is sure-footed and fun. On top of all this, the trained duck is beyond cute and quite talented, worth the price of the film entirely by himself. So, ducks, get your things in order and go find Love Birds for this coming weekend.
Review of Love Birds
Love Birds
(2011)
Just ducky! What a treat, too, to view a film set in New Zealand that doesn't have hobbits
12 December 2013