Review: Three Birthdays

27 February, 2025 Chai Simone 0 Comments 1 category

Title: Three Birthdays
MPA Rating: Not Rated
Director: Jane Weinstock
Starring: Josh Radnor, Annie Parisse, Nuala Cleary, Gus Birney
Runtime: 1 hr 30 mins

What It Is: Amidst the sexual revolution of the 1970s, we follow a family of three through each of their consecutive birthdays. Seventeen-year-old Bobbie (Cleary), an aspiring poet, follows in her mother’s footsteps as an activist, particularly in the feminist movement. But after carrying out her long-planned decision to lose her virginity, she discovers that her mother, Kate (Parisse), may be cheating on her father, Rob (Radnor). Once convinced that her family was perfect, Bobbie must confront the reality that they may not be what they seemed, while Rob and Kate struggle with the evolving terms of their relationship and what they mean for their future.

What We Think: To start with the positives—I like the concept. Any film that delves into 20th-century history grabs my attention. Though tonally different, The Trial of the Chicago 7 serves as a great example of a period piece that captures the passion, danger, and frustration of activism in the late ’60s. That film thrived on rich historical context, well-developed characters, and a sharp script by Aaron Sorkin. Here, we get an interesting setup: a teenager forced to confront the complexities behind her long-held beliefs, a mother whose devotion to personal freedom begins to overshadow the well-being of her family, and a father struggling with his sense of masculinity in an open marriage—all set against the backdrop of the decade’s many social and political upheavals.

The cast delivers strong performances across the board. Radnor convincingly portrays a man grappling with emasculation, guilt, and sexual insecurity. As the film progresses, his character becomes increasingly unlikable, revealing layers of selfishness that make him hard to root for. Parisse’s Kate is both compelling and frustrating—a passionate feminist whose commitment to sexual liberation and professional ambitions often steamrolls the emotions of those around her. Cleary makes for a solid lead as Bobbie, a naive yet determined young woman whose discovery forces her to question everything she believed about her family. Also worth noting is Gus Birney (Darcy, I’m Thinking of Ending Things), who continues to shine in every role she takes on, including here as one of Bobbie’s close friends.

One of the film’s strongest performances comes from Jasmine Batchelor as Nina, Rob’s “situationship” (at least, according to him). She delivers some of the most mature, compelling scenes in the movie, but her character also highlights a major flaw in the film—many of its most intriguing themes and dramatic conflicts never feel fully realized. Nina, despite being one of the best-written characters, lacks the closure or depth she deserves. As an African-American professor competing for a sought-after position during the civil rights era, her experiences likely carry far more weight than the romantic entanglements of her white counterparts, yet she remains a supporting player in their drama rather than a central focus.

This leads to a larger issue: Three Birthdays introduces thought-provoking ideas but often fails to bring them full circle. Many interpersonal conflicts are presented with depth and nuance, only to be wrapped up too quickly or left unresolved. The tagline, “You Think You Want a Revolution?”, suggests a pro-activism stance, yet the film blurs the line between historical realism and personal drama in a way that ultimately weakens both aspects. If the goal was to highlight the tension between idealism and reality, it doesn’t quite land with enough clarity.

What could have made this film stronger? For one, more backstory on Kate and Rob’s marriage—how it began and what led them to consider an open relationship—would have added valuable context. Additionally, the film needed more resolution for its core conflicts. Instead, the climax brings the third act to an abrupt halt. While the film does remind us that the tragedies of the civil rights movement put personal struggles into perspective, this abrupt ending makes the overall narrative feel incomplete. More humor, playfulness, or stylized elements could have also helped balance the film’s heavy themes, though I do appreciate its commitment to portraying flawed, complex characters with authenticity. The intimate scenes, in particular, are handled with care, never feeling overwrought or exploitative.

Grade: C+, Three Birthdays juggles ambitious ideas but struggles to fully develop them. While the film falls short in bringing its themes and relationships to a satisfying conclusion, there’s value in its bold performances and thoughtful character work. I hope to see these filmmakers continue exploring complex relationships in historically rich settings—next time, with a stronger sense of thematic and narrative closure.