Die Zeit der bunten Vögel

In this day and age, many people have forgotten what really matters in their lives. Materialism is fleeting, and trying economic times are shining new light on this wonderful cautionary tale of twenty years ago.

The McBains are, like most of us, a product of their times. Not merely a dysfunctional family, but one so immersed in the material world that they've lost sight of what truly matters in their lives. But when it all comes crashing down around their feet, they discover that the loyalty of family and friends reigns supreme.

I consider it wrong to classify this wonderful story as a comedy - it is a drama through and through, despite comedic moments. Though there are moments of coarse language and nudity, they are done tactfully and the movie should probably be re-rated to PG-13. The family learns a hard lesson on what it is to be a family, and people shouldn't be so quick to dismiss it due to its R rating.

The themes are hardly suitable for pre-teens but, all-in-all, a wonderful movie for the entire family.