Magpie Funeral

Magpie Funeral draws you in with appealing characters who grapple with life and death issues, yet the tone of the film is far from maudlin. A study in the power of friendship and perseverance, the three lead actors, Darren Burrows, Meredith Shank, and Elizabeth Leach give stellar performances. It is heartwarming to see Darren Burrows who portrays the main character of Sy so well, and keep an eye on young Elizabeth Leach, who stole my heart. The soundtrack is particularly moving, and the cinematography is very creative. This film is thought provoking and at times humorous and a great choice for family entertainment!

I did enjoy the movie, It left me smiling inside. I realize it has been a long time since I've written anything like a review, but is was nice to have a movie theme of "coming to peace with transitions" (including death) instead of "man against man" (or woman). I loved the opening scene that totally shifted from Sy's inner drama to his real world which we watched literally come crashing down.

I liked Sy as a person, and Lisa was an amazing delightful little actress. I very much liked the birds and their songs. They were equally stars in the movie. I enjoyed the anachronisms like the the portable typewriter, the answering machine, and the old phonograph.

I have tried to imagine all that goes into creating a movie like this. What an outstanding accomplishment.

The Magpie is a bird known to hold funeral-like gatherings for their deceased friends. Is this a sign of grief? Bird experts certainly thinks so. Director Gregory James Green's latest film, 'Magpie Funeral' explores grief, loss, and hope. Coping with loss is painful and never easy. This heartfelt drama deals with how to find purpose in one's life after experiencing a tragic event. It is a story we can all relate to. It's about finding human connection. 'Magpie Funeral' will tug at your heartstrings and not let you go until the closing credits. Put this indie gem on your must-see list.

Sy McMurphy (Darren Burrows) is an aspiring screenwriter. He gets one rejection letter after another from Hollywood agencies. To make ends meet, he works as a director for a local TV station. His boss Randy (David Weisenberg) has a personal vendetta against him and takes satisfaction from Sy's failures. Sy is also a bird lover that always seems to give him solace at the right time. When tragedy strikes, Sy is faced with a painful journey. One day he has a chance encounter with Nancy (Meredith Shank) and her precocious daughter, Lisa (Elizabeth Leach). Since they are all dealing with loss, this new friendship is a welcome gift into Sy's life.

The cast is first-rate. Notably the protagonist Sy played by Darren Burrows. He is best known for his role on the 90s hit TV show, Northern Exposure. Green reflects, "Darren brought a depth to Sy that I was not expecting. He blew me away. Every scene was expertly nuanced." Another praiseworthy mention goes to the actor that plays Sy's nemesis, Randy. David Weisenberg's portrayal of that guy in our lives that tries to kill our dreams is spot-on. One of the standout performances goes to Meredith Shank as Nancy. She embodies the feelings of grief and loss. Her daughter Lisa played by the delightful Elizabeth Leach delivers an endearing performance on how kids deal with loss differently than adults. The chemistry between Sy, Nancy and Lisa build this incredible connection that helps them get through this painful episode in their lives.

The film was shot in Los Angeles, Oklahoma City and the Boise area where the filmmaker calls home. One of the key locations of the story takes place in a cemetery. You might think that it is a strange place for some of the scenes. It makes perfect sense. Remember the magpies and how they surround their departed friend? One magpie will fly away and return with pine needles to lay around the body. Once they pay their last respects, each one takes its turn flying away. It's a powerful metaphor throughout the film.

'Magpie Funeral' is about overcoming loss and pursuing your dreams. It is okay if you don't achieve that precise goal. The key takeaway is enjoying the journey along the way. Green is achieving his goal with 'Magpie Funeral.'

I absolutely loved this movie so much that I watched it twice. Wonderful and beautifully written story that inspires each and every one of us to follow our dreams. The movie starts out a little bit slow but builds up considerably leaving you with the that endearing sense of hope within all of us about life itself and the journey along the way.

Spectacular cast and the combination of artistic talent and passion will leave you with a feeling of joy and wonder. Darren Burrows delivers an amazing performance and the writing is outstanding and very original. Would love to see more movies like this.

I wish I could say more about the movie without giving anything away but you will be happy after seeing it.

Ten stars and a must see !

I am not a writer or in the film industry. Admittedly I chose this film when I learned Darren was in it. I was/am a huge Northern Exposure film and in 2025 some of the actors gathered for a weekly episode. My interest in those actors drove me to seek more recent work and voila - found this little gem. I love the film. No CGI, no superheroes, no childish themes, and conversely nothing offensive to gentle souls. The acting is strong, amusing when it should be, and warm throughout. The story is original and thoughtfully written. I took me a few minutes to catch on at the beginning but that speaks more to my short attention span. You will miss so many nuances if you multitask. Even though so many films allow that process. The way that death, grief, nature, etc. Were handled was heartfelt without being cliche. One other note.... I watched it before I read the reviews. That is what prompted me to write one of my own. I noticed that many, many people (or maybe a handful of lazy nuts) placed a downward thumb on all of the reviews. Taking the time to do that without writing a review, and there are no negative reviews, speaks volumes about you and your lack of ability to communicate with other humans. I assume you are the same ones who rated the film with 1, 2, 3, etc. Stars.