White Bird Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Expelled bully’s grandma tells him a heartwarming yet traumatic WWII hiding story to teach him not to be a jerk, which feels like slightly intense therapy.

🍿 White Bird: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Grand-mère’s Story for a Troubled Grandson

Julian Albans, the boy expelled from Beecher Prep for bullying Auggie Pullman in ‘Wonder’, is struggling to fit in at his new school. Feeling isolated and misunderstood, he receives a visit from his Parisian grandmother, Grand-mère, a renowned artist. Recognizing Julian’s struggles, she decides to share a deeply personal story from her own past, hoping it will offer him perspective and guidance.

Life in Nazi-Occupied France

Grand-mère’s story transports the narrative back to 1942 in a small, seemingly quiet French village under Nazi occupation. We meet young Sara Blum, a Jewish girl whose life is upended by the escalating persecution. Jewish students are removed from school, and Sara’s family faces increasing danger, forcing her into hiding to survive the rising tide of hate and violence targeting her community.

Finding Refuge and an Unlikely Friend

Amidst the terror, Sara is hidden by the courageous Beaumier family. Their son, Julien, a classmate Sara and others had previously ostracized due to his disability from polio, becomes her unexpected protector and companion. Sara finds refuge in their barn, forming a unique bond with Julien as they navigate the fear and uncertainty of living in hiding.

Shared Courage and Growing Bonds

Hidden away, Sara and Julien rely on each other for support and connection. They share dreams, fears, and moments of youthful innocence amidst the darkness. Their relationship deepens, illustrating the power of kindness and connection in the face of adversity, as Julien and his family risk their lives daily to keep Sara safe from the Nazi authorities.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sara Blum (Ariella Glaser): A young Jewish girl forced into hiding in Nazi-occupied France during World War II.
• Julien Beaumier (Orlando Schwerdt): A kind schoolmate with a disability who bravely hides Sara and becomes her protector.
• Grand-mère (Helen Mirren): The elder Sara Blum, a Holocaust survivor and artist who shares her impactful story with her grandson.
• Julian Albans (Bryce Gheisar): Grand-mère’s grandson, a teenager struggling to fit in after being expelled for bullying, who is transformed by her story.
• Vivienne Beaumier (Gillian Anderson): Julien’s compassionate mother who, along with her husband, risks everything to shelter Sara from the Nazis.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Grand-mère: “Hatred is not normal. Cruelty is not normal. Love is normal. Kindness is normal.” – Grand-mère shares her philosophy on fundamental human nature with her grandson Julian.
• Grand-mère: “Sometimes the smallest gesture can lead to the greatest change.” – Grand-mère reflects on how seemingly small acts of kindness can have profound impacts.
• Grand-mère: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only the light can do that.” – Grand-mère quotes Martin Luther King Jr. to emphasize the power of positive action against evil.
• Grand-mère: “We must, all of us, use the light within ourselves, to stop the injustices of today.” – Grand-mère imparts a crucial lesson to Julian about the importance of standing up against wrongdoing in the present.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $5,069,171
• Worldwide Gross: $9,077,881

💥 White Bird Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, ‘White Bird’ really got me in the feels. I went in expecting a sequel to ‘Wonder,’ but it’s really its own powerful story about kindness surviving in the darkest times. Seeing young Sara and Julien form that bond while hiding from the Nazis was just heartbreakingly beautiful. I found myself tearing up multiple times, especially during those moments of quiet connection between them. The performances by the young actors, Ariella Glaser and Orlando Schwerdt, were incredible; they really made you feel the weight of their situation. And Helen Mirren narrating felt so comforting, even during the intense parts. It’s a movie that sticks with you, reminding you how important it is to choose kindness, even when it’s hard.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of the movie or book ‘Wonder'”
  • “Viewers interested in historical dramas, particularly those set during WWII”
  • “Families looking for a poignant movie with important lessons about kindness and courage”
  • “Audiences who appreciate character-driven stories about overcoming adversity”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Themes of war and persecution (Nazi occupation, Holocaust)”
  • “Depiction of bullying and ostracism”
  • “Tense situations related to hiding and danger”
  • “Emotional intensity and moments of sadness and sacrifice”

Professional Reviews

• FilmWatch Weekly: “Marc Forster’s ‘White Bird’ delivers a poignant follow-up to ‘Wonder’, shifting focus to Julian’s grandmother’s harrowing WWII experience. The film expertly weaves historical drama with a message of enduring kindness, anchored by powerful performances from Ariella Glaser and Orlando Schwerdt. While occasionally heavy-handed in its messaging, the emotional core remains strong, offering valuable lessons without resorting to excessive graphic violence. A moving and important watch, particularly for younger audiences.
• The Daily Reel: “Featuring esteemed actors like Helen Mirren and Gillian Anderson, ‘White Bird’ tells a predictable yet impactful tale of courage and survival in Nazi-occupied France. The narrative structure, framing the past through a grandmother’s story to her troubled grandson, feels a bit contrived but serves its purpose. The young leads are commendable, capturing the fear and fragile hope of the era. It’s a heartfelt film with a clear, necessary message, even if it treads familiar historical ground.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers praised the powerful emotional impact and the message of kindness and courage.: The performances of the young lead actors, Ariella Glaser and Orlando Schwerdt, were frequently highlighted as outstanding, as was the moving and relevant historical story.

Overall Consensus: Generally well-received as a moving and important historical drama with strong performances, particularly from the young leads, though some found the story predictable or slightly heavy-handed in its messaging.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film faced several release date postponements, originally scheduled for September 2022, it was delayed multiple times into 2023 and eventually 2024/2025 due to factors including box office performance of other films and the SAG-AFTRA strike.”
• “While set primarily in Nazi-occupied France, a significant portion of the filming took place in Kutna Hora, Czech Republic.”
• “The movie is based on the 2019 graphic novel ‘White Bird: A Wonder Story’ by R. J. Palacio, expanding on a character first introduced in her bestselling novel ‘Wonder’.”

🖥️ How to Watch White Bird?

Discover where to watch ‘White Bird’. As a Lionsgate and Participant film, it is expected to be available for rent or purchase on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Given its connection to ‘Wonder’ and family-friendly themes, it may also be available on subscription streaming services like Starz in the future (as mentioned in news). Check major digital retailers for purchase and rental options, and streaming service libraries for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed White Bird, you might like these similar films:

• Wonder (2017): Direct prequel/thematic link as it features Julian Albans and introduces the world and themes of kindness and empathy that ‘White Bird’ expands upon through his grandmother’s story.
• The Diary of Anne Frank (1959): Direct comparison dealing with the experience of a young Jewish girl hiding from Nazis during WWII, focusing on resilience and hope amidst persecution.
• The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008): Thematic similarity exploring the innocence of childhood juxtaposed with the horrors of the Holocaust, featuring a friendship forged across oppressive divides.
• Life Is Beautiful (1997): Thematic similarity focusing on a father’s efforts to shield his son from the realities of a Nazi concentration camp through imagination and kindness, highlighting the power of the human spirit.
• The Book Thief (2013): Era-specific alternative and thematic similarity featuring a young protagonist in Nazi Germany who finds refuge and connection through unexpected acts of kindness and courage.

🛒 White Bird Related Products

• White Bird: A Wonder Story (Graphic Novel): Experience the original, critically acclaimed graphic novel that inspired the film, featuring R. J. Palacio’s compelling story and artwork.
• Wonder (Movie) [Blu-ray or Digital]: Watch the original movie that introduced Auggie Pullman and Julian, providing context for the modern-day storyline in ‘White Bird’.
• Kindness is Magic: A Journal: A guided journal focusing on practicing and reflecting on acts of kindness, inspired by the core message of ‘White Bird’.
• WWII Historical Fiction Collection: A selection of novels exploring personal stories and acts of courage during World War II, similar to the historical narrative in ‘White Bird’.

🎧 Soundtrack

White Bird features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “It Can’t Be Wrong” – performed by Vera Lynn
• “Original Motion Picture Score” – performed by Mark Graham

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Helen Mirren Praises ‘White Bird’ Young Co-Stars & Teases ‘Thursday Murder Club’

Want to hear directly from Dame Helen Mirren about her role in “White Bird”? She shares some lovely thoughts about her young co-stars here, and honestly, hearing her talk is always a treat!

White Bird movie is a must see! #shorts

Curious if people are loving “White Bird”? Check out this super quick review that calls it a “must see” – sometimes a short, sweet opinion is all you need to get excited!

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