Rare Birds is a 2001 Canadian comedy-drama film, directed by Sturla Gunnarsson and written by Edward Riche based on his novel.

Plot

Dave (William Hurt) has had some bad luck recently. His wife Claire (Sheila McCarthy) has left him and lives in Washington, DC, while his restaurant, the Auk is not doing good business. Phonse (Andy Jones) helps Dave by making up a story about a rare Tasker's sulphureous duck sighting, which begins to help Dave's business. Phonse has been working on a prototype Recreational Submarine Vehicle (RSV) and is concerned that the Winnebago company is conducting industrial espionage and trying to steal his plans. Phonse also finds ten kilos of cocaine and tries to get rid of it with the help of Dave. Dave falls in love with Alice (Molly Parker), Phonse's sister-in-law, a girl from Gull Tickle. Phonse blows up his RSV. Claire asks Dave for a divorce. Alice goes off to college. Dave finds someone to manage the restaurant and he is seen chasing Alice's taxi.