Apparently the housing crisis isn’t a uniquely American problem, as it is one of the core issues driving the plot of the dark Australian comedy Birthright. Cory (Travis Jeffery) and his very pregnant wife Jasmine (Maria Angelico) find themselves unexpectedly homeless when they are evicted from their apartment. Cory’s contract job was terminated so the company could avoid taking him on as a full employee while Jasmine is out on unpaid maternity leave, leaving them with no choice but to show up at his wealthy parents’ house in the hopes they will be allowed to stay there.
His father and mother, Richard (Michael Hurst) and Lyn (Linda Cropper) respectively, are less than thrilled about the idea, having happily settled into their current living arrangement, but believing the inconvenience to only be for a few weeks they relent, allowing the couple to sleep in Cory’s old bedroom which is still as he left it, bunk beds and all. Things are tense in the house however, with everyone quickly wearing on each other’s nerves as all four hurtle towards a confrontation that will shatter their lives.
The four leads are perfectly cast, each giving flawless performances that walk the script’s fine line between relatable domestic issues and absurdity. Writer and director Zoe Pepper displays a wicked sense of humor as she guides each of her deeply flawed characters towards their fates. The generational divide is hardly an untapped topic in filmdom, but in many ways it feels like the gulf has only widened in modern times and she nails the core reason why in a way that I haven’t seen done before.
It has been written that the generation coming into adulthood now is the first that will be worse off than their parents were and a chart that combines the median wage with the cost of living or the average home price over time should make it pretty clear as to why that is. But ask many young people today if their parents understand that and the answer is often, “No.” This inability or unwillingness to accept that the world of today is so drastically different from the one they grew up in leads to immense frustration in many families and is at the heart of Birthright. Sure, Cory and Jasmine aren’t blameless here, but Richard and Lyn are utterly incapable of understanding that what worked for them as young adults is no longer a viable option.
Despite the heady topic this is a genuinely funny movie, with several laugh-out-loud moments and clever lines. A tonal shift occurs at the end that I am not convinced entirely works, but this is otherwise a witty, thought-provoking, and viciously entertaining ride that is well worth seeking out both for those experiencing this era’s challenges firsthand and those looking to better understand them. ★★★★
not rated. contains strong language, violence, nudity, and sexual content.
AT THE TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL THROUGH 6/7.
★★★★★ = Excellent | ★★★★ = Very Good | ★★★ = Good | ★★ = Fair | ★ = Poor
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