Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill Review

You could be forgiven for thinking that Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill is a wildlife documentary. Nothing could be further from the truth. It's the story of one man's transformation through his relationship with The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill. Mark Bittner is an aspiring writer and failed street musician. A classic bohemian, he's unemployed and lives rent free in a cottage on Telegraph Hill, San Francisco. With time on his hands be starts feeding and observing a local flock of wild parrots. Over a number of years Mark begins to understand the complex relationships they have with each other. He names most of the birds and starts writing a detailed diary of the flock, developing a strong emotional connection that seems to have been missing in his life. Director Judy Irving filmed Mark Bittner and his birds over four and a half years, interviewing neighbours and passers by, and examining the urban myths about the parrots' origins. While the parrots are colourful characters, this film is really about how one man finds meaning and purpose through his relationship with them. Irving structures her documentary like a drama, clearly showing that the survival of this wild flock parallels Mark's life and his place in the world. Wild parrots is highly entertaining and inspirational with a surprise ending that will warm even the coldest of hearts.