The title teenager on the edge of death from cancer (a spot-on Lola Petticrew) is not particularly surprised when Death arrives in the form of a giant, shape-shifting, talking parrot. 

Less accepting is her mother, who first tries to ignore her daughter’s impending doom, then fights savagely for a reprieve, even a brief stay of the inevitable. Julia Louis-Dreyfuss’ fierce, wide-ranging performance anchors the movie and demonstrates clearly that she has moved way beyond Seinfeld. 

Once you accept the central conceit of Croatian writer/director Daina Oniunas-Pusic’s debut feature, you’re in for a unique tale of emotion, spirit and, yes, even restraint. 

A bit out there, to be sure, but something that could really tank in the wrong hands. It’s a strange and compassionate adult fairy tale about accepting loss and viewing the afterlife in terms of others’ memories. Full of surprises, this one. (110 min)