Let Them Chirp Awhile (2008) Plot Summary Explained

Bobby agreed to dog-sit because he still had unresolved feelings for his ex-girlfriend Deirdre. When she asked him to look after her dog before moving to Los Angeles, he saw it as an opportunity to stay connected to her and possibly rekindle their relationship. His hope of winning her back motivated him to accept the awkward situation that followed.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, the summary mentions Bobby's turbulent relationship with the NYU student, showing he struggles with commitment.

• bobby
• deirdre
• dog sitting
• relationship
• ex girlfriend

Bobby directly shared his promising screenplay idea about talkative pigeons with his friend Scott. Since Hart was a mutual friend in their circle, Scott likely told Hart about the idea, either intentionally or casually. Hart then stole the concept for his own play, "Death of a Banker."

Foreshadowing: The timeline notes Bobby's desire to collaborate with Scott, which led him to share the idea prematurely.

• hart
• screenplay
• stolen idea
• scott
• betrayal

Bobby was dating a young NYU student but felt self-conscious about their significant age gap. This insecurity made him emotionally distant and prevented him from fully committing to the romance, creating tension in their relationship even though he was genuinely interested in her.

Foreshadowing: The summary establishes Bobby as plagued by self-doubt, which manifests in his romantic life.

• bobby
• nyu student
• age difference
• insecurity
• relationship

Hart is described as Bobby's nemesis, a successful but critically derided playwright. His motivation was likely professional jealousy and opportunism. Despite his success, Hart faced criticism, and stealing a fresh, creative concept from an aspiring writer gave him a way to produce new work without the creative struggle he lacked.

Foreshadowing: The competitive tension between Bobby and Hart is established early in the summary.

• hart
• playwright
• stolen idea
• betrayal
• competition

"Death of a Banker" was Hart's play that explored themes of identity and redemption in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. It featured Anthony Rapp and was staged off-Broadway. The play dealt with how individuals process trauma and rebuild their sense of self after tragedy.

Foreshadowing: Bobby's own struggles with identity and self-doubt mirror the play's themes.

• death of a banker
• hart
• play
• anthony rapp
• september 11

Bobby was suffering from severe creative block and desperately wanted to overcome it. Sharing his idea with Scott represented his hope that collaboration might help break through his stagnation. He wanted to test the concept and possibly develop it together, but this decision reveals his trust in Scott, which made the eventual betrayal even more painful.

Foreshadowing: The summary explicitly states Bobby shares the idea 'in an attempt to overcome his creative block.'

• bobby
• scott
• screenplay idea
• creative block
• collaboration

According to the timeline, Bobby eventually reached a moment of reflection and sought to reconnect with Scott in hopes of reigniting their artistic collaboration. This push toward reconciliation shows Bobby choosing personal growth over lingering resentment, though the summary doesn't specify the outcome of this reconciliation attempt.

Foreshadowing: The confrontation between Bobby and Scott escalates before this resolution point.

• bobby
• scott
• reconciliation
• friendship
• collaboration

The title references Bobby's screenplay idea about talkative pigeons, literally letting the birds "chirp." Thematically, it suggests creative expression and allowing unconventional ideas to flourish. It also reflects the film's whimsical, observational tone about artists finding their voice.

Foreshadowing: The movie description mentions the script is 'centered around talkative pigeons.'

• title
• pigeons
• screenplay
• creative expression
• meaning

While preparing for Deirdre's absence by taking care of her dog, Bobby found himself in a humorous and awkward situation at a clothing store. The exact details aren't specified in the summary, but it was significant enough to be mentioned as a key moment revealing "layers of complexity in his character."

Foreshadowing: This event occurs during Bobby's preparation to dog-sit for Deirdre.

• bobby
• dog
• clothing store
• awkward situation

Bobby's creative block intensified because the betrayal triggered a new wave of self-doubt and emotional turmoil. Learning that Hart stole his original concept made Bobby question his own creativity even more. The combination of personal betrayal, professional theft, and his existing insecurities created a perfect storm that froze his ability to write.

Foreshadowing: The summary states Bobby was already 'plagued by self-doubt' before this betrayal.

• bobby
• creative block
• betrayal
• self doubt
• hart

Hart was Bobby's nemesis, a successful playwright who was critically derided. The conflict stemmed from professional rivalry: Hart had already achieved success that Bobby desperately wanted, yet Hart lacked the creative integrity Bobby aspired to. When Hart stole Bobby's original screenplay concept, it represented a final betrayal in an already tense competitive dynamic.

Foreshadowing: The summary introduces Hart as Bobby's nemesis from the beginning.

• hart
• bobby
• nemesis
• rivalry
• playwright
• conflict

Reconnecting with Deirdre forced Bobby to confront his unresolved feelings about the past. Since she was moving to Los Angeles, her departure represented another loss and another instance of Bobby failing to commit to something meaningful in his life. This emotional thread highlighted his pattern of self-sabotage and insecurity.

Foreshadowing: Bobby's struggles with commitment are established through his NYU student relationship.

• deirdre
• bobby
• ex girlfriend
• los angeles
• emotional conflict