In ‘Dear Hummingbird’, Jobin Kuruvilla George presents a raw slice of life, packaged as a tender Australian drama that sneaks up on you like a quiet conversation. Kaitlyn Molloy delivers an earnest portrayal of grief and longing as her character clings to a friendship that’s already dissolved, making her ache feel all too familiar. Her support worker, played with quiet restraint by Anna Mcleod, serves as both a guide and a subtle manipulator – sending a letter “from Sarah” to help Kaitlyn’s character move on. It’s a delicate balance of care and deception, done with the best of intentions, but still layered with emotional complexity.
What really makes ‘Dear Hummingbird’ unique is its almost documentary-like authenticity. The film never feels overly scripted, and at times, it could easily be mistaken for a heartfelt video blog – capturing life as it unfolds, flaws and all. Even the imperfections in the sound design add to this sense of realism, although a little more polish here would have helped.
With Ibrahim Sandokh also lending support, the ensemble delivers respectable, grounded performances. Though short in runtime, the emotional resonance is undeniable. The cinematography is tight and unfussy, allowing the viewer to focus on the emotions at hand. Ultimately, ‘Dear Hummingbird’ hovers somewhere between drama and docu-drama, gently reminding us that some stories don’t need to be grand – they just need to be real.
