Charliebird Review
Charliebird (2025) Film Review from the 24th Annual Tribeca Film Festival, a movie directed by Libby Ewing, written by Samantha Smart and starring Samantha Smart, Gabriela Ochoa Perez, Maria Peyramaure, Jeffrey Grover, Gabe Fazio, Kate Sanchez, Nicholas Michael McGovern, Jill Zmolek, Matthew Rodriguez and Tish Brandt.
Libby Ewing’s powerhouse new film, Charliebird, is a masterclass in film-making with two sincere and brilliant performances driving it towards success. Filmed in an unusual aspect ratio in which the entire screen is not filled, the unique craftsmanship that has gone into this picture makes it both unique and deeply moving. Ewing doesn’t sugarcoat the story line which is touching and feels true-to-life. This film’s leads, Samantha Smart (who also wrote the picture) and Gabriela Ochoa Perez, are complex, yet relatable, in two of the very best female performances of the year thus far. This movie is about a yearning for human companionship and the two central characters end up realizing the beauty and joys found in every day life through their interactions with one another.
Smart portrays a music therapist named Al. She helps sick young children enjoy their remaining time on earth through friendly interactions. One of the older kids, a 16-year-old teenager named Charlie (the magnificent Gabriela Ochoa Perez), has been in the facility Al works at for some time now. Charlie has kept their interactions casual, but slowly, Al and Charlie will realize that they have more in common than they ever realized. Al has a troubled past, yet she finds satisfaction in life helping young people like Charlie enjoy their last days on the planet.
In a hilariously funny bit, Al dresses up as Snow White to please the kids in pediatrics, but Charlie laughs the costume off which Al ends up returning to Dollar General where it came from later on. More serious moments have the two ladies talking about the fact that Charlie has never had sex whereas Al lost her virginity at 14-years-old, herself. This film explores the way Charlie and Al came to be in their current situations, but it also deals with their present and how they offer each other the gift of friendship which will forever change both their lives by the time the end credits roll.
Charlie’s mom, Elena, is played sensationally by Maria Peyramaure who portrays the loving mother with earnest and heartfelt sincerity throughout the picture. As news arises from Al’s supervisor (the well-cast Tish Brandt in a small role) that Charlie will be making a recovery for the better, Al tries to get Charlie not to feel so down about life as Charlie has already started planing things for Al to do upon Charlie’s death.
Charliebird is simply a joyous, emotional and, at times, humorous experience from beginning to end. Samantha Smart and Gabriela Ochoa Perez play off each other with wonderful timing and precision that makes their characters likable throughout. Even when Charlie is negative about things in her life, Al finds a way to make her feel a bit more optimistic except for one situation where Al gives Charlie a guilt trip which Al comes to regret later on.
There are many powerful moments of emotional intensity that hit home for anyone who has ever been beside a sick loved one. The beauty of Charliebird is that it doesn’t make us feel sorry for Charlie. Rather, the film makes us believe in the everlasting impact a friendship can make on another human being. Charlie is giving Al lessons in how to live her life more fruitfully while Al, in turn, inspires Charlie to keep the faith under trying times. Their connection is more hopeful than sorrowful regardless of what happens in the story line.
Music plays a part in the film and Smart wrote at least a couple of songs for the picture to avoid having to pay royalties to use popular songs. Smart is a talented actress and writer and she creates the perfect story line where music plays a key role in the characters’ lives, especially Charlie, who likes a certain type of music which Al soon discovers and embraces to help her through hard times.
Movies like Charliebird are few and far between. As great as Smart is, this film ultimately becomes Gabriela Ochoa Perez’s ticket to stardom. This is a vehicle for Perez to be seen as a talented dramatic actress. Perez is the most wonderful thing about this film and it’s hard not to have hope for her character to succeed against the odds and triumph over the medical conditions that she faces. Perez’s vulnerability on-screen is something all performers should aspire to. In a movie like this, viewers will undoubtedly cry, but Charliebird earns those tears through well-developed characters and plot developments.
Brandt’s character humorously compares Al to Patch Adams at one point which helps keep the movie leveled with some comic relief so it’s far from all tears and sadness for the viewer while watching it. Yet, I can’t imagine someone watching this movie and not wanting to come out and live their lives to the fullest. Isn’t that something that a great movie should do? Well, Charliebird is, indeed, a great movie.
Rating: 9/10
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