Checked out the new Netflix original mystery Earthquake Bird. Strange title but it kind of makes sense sorta when you see the flick. If you see the flick. Big “if” there.
So Earthquake Bird is about a woman (played by Alicia Vikander) living in Japan in 1989, working as a translator. As the film begins, two local detectives pull her out of work and question her about the murder of another Westerner. The film then flashes back to her relationship with a local photographer and her friendship with the dead woman. The film is basically structured like a bit of a mystery as we learn what might have happened to lead her (Vikander) to the police interview.
I’m…. a little baffled by this movie. I’m not ultimately sure what it’s about or what it’s trying to say. It’s more than just a basic murder mystery and there’s curious relationships, dubious visions, and vaguely related back-stories. I didn’t know where the movie was going and, by the time it got there, I’m not sure where it was or what it all meant. This movie is based on a book so I suspect there must be more explanation, details, or mental calculations explained in print that didn’t make its way into this film.
I was vaguely wandering around being interested in the mystery and how things were playing out. So the movie has that dangling tantalization to it. It’s not a complete failure… but the journey was ultimately not worth the destination. Maybe. I suspect someone might be able to work out what this movie was “about” and maybe they’ll enjoy it more.
Score: 72