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The opening of the coming-of-age film Little Wing includes two pieces of information, both taken from the 2006 New Yorker article of the same title written by Susan Orlean. The first states that on average, Americans relocate every five years, while pigeons very rarely do. The second fact highlights the deep and unshakeable attachment racing pigeons have to their homes.
The title sequence effectively communicates some information about the movie, which will debut this week on the streaming platform Paramount+. It reveals that Little Wing, directed by Dean Israelite and written by John Gatins, will struggle to blend human issues with the unique lives of pigeons, who are the most captivating aspect of the film. It also indicates that the movie will strive to provide meaningful observations about our sense of belonging and finding our place in the world.
I would prefer to maintain attention on the pigeons, who, as mentioned multiple times in Little Wing, possess the remarkable skill of finding their way back to their designated roost regardless of distance or time elapsed. There have been reports of racing pigeons returning home after a period of 10 years. Although the mechanism behind this remains a mystery, it is a fact. I am now convinced that racing pigeons are fascinating creatures.
Brooklynn Prince, the young star of “The Florida Project”, plays the role of Kaitlyn – an eighth-grader from Portland, Oregon. Kaitlyn is struggling with teenage angst and often narrates her thoughts. Unfortunately, Kaitlyn’s parents recently got divorced and her mother, a police detective named Kelly Reilly (known for her role in “Yellowstone”), is struggling to make mortgage payments on their family home. Kaitlyn’s older brother Matt, played by Simon Khan, has become mute. She only has one friend, Adam (Che Tafari), who complicates things by potentially being in love with her. Kaitlyn is not fully engaged in school and her main interests include listening to Bikini Kill, which may seem like an older man’s way of describing her as alternative for her generation, Gen Z.
It may be challenging for a teenage girl like Kaitlyn to handle all of these complicated situations. She understandably feels frustrated. However, the way the script was written and the performance by Prince may portray Kaitlyn more as a self-righteous and self-absorbed teenager, rather than a troubled but sympathetic coming-of-age hero. It is not necessary for teenage protagonists to be likable, but since they are the focus for 100 minutes, the audience should be able to root for them and their decisions. Unfortunately, Kat’s plans feel forced and unrelatable; when she is given two racing pigeons as a gift, she decides to steal a prized pigeon worth $120k from a well-known pigeon breeder, Jaan (played by Succession’s Brian Cox, a miscast in this stereotypical story that resembles something from a streaming service). She then sells the stolen pigeon to the “Russian Pigeon Mafia.” This impulsive decision leads to trouble with Jaan, who is furious, and her friend Adam, who is always supportive but now has a broken arm.
Despite being marketed as a “coming of age drama,” the movie takes on the tone of a poorly executed suspense thriller, with a tense background score and jarring editing. Prince’s emotionless portrayal of teenage angst adds to the confusion, while Cox’s character seems like a watered-down version of Logan Roy. The supposed central relationship between Jaan and Kat is unconvincingly depicted, as they transform from enemies to pigeon enthusiasts. Instead of expletives, their insults become “go away!” and “you unpleasant person!” Meanwhile, cheerful montages of pigeons are interspersed with heavy topics such as suicide and war, resulting in a disjointed and unconvincing narrative. Although the characters eventually become friends, it is a poorly paced and lackluster journey.
The film Little Wing is generally chaotic and unemotional, except for the pigeons who appear striking on screen. Apart from a very serious character played by Cox, there are no stand-out elements that differentiate it from the numerous disposable titles typically seen on streaming platforms. However, the lack of fanfare may be appropriate in this situation. Discovering the unique qualities of racing pigeons and their undeniable homing abilities is enjoyable, but there is not much else to be found in this film.
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The show Little Wing can now be accessed on Paramount+.
Source: theguardian.com
