Birdy (1984) Reviews

Birdy (1984)
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Director Alan Parker tackles this adapation of William Wharton's novel, which retains much of the source material's texture and complexity. Matthew Modine is Birdy, who comes back from Vietnam mentally shattered and deludes himself into thinking that he is a bird, an animal that has obsessed him since childhood. Birdy is confined to a military hospital, where he spends his time sitting naked in his room, not acknowleding anyone, moving and acting like a parakeet. His best friend Al (Nicolas Cage), also a wounded Vietnam vet, visits Birdy every day, determined to bring him back to reality. Birdy is occasionally disjointed but enriched by strong performances from Modine and Cage and a number of hard-to-forget moments. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi

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Starring:
Matthew Modine, Nicolas Cage, (more)
Director(s):
Alan Parker
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD  | Digital SD
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Average Ratings

(12 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Robert B.

Recent events in Iraq and the publicigty that the treatment of physically and mentally wounded soldiers returning home from war today makes this movie, with Vietnam as a background, still relevant in 2007. Visually stunning with a great soundtrack by Peter Gabriel it has one scene I would see over and over as it simulates the flight of a bird with Gabriel's percussive background music. Keep in mind this camera work was done before the digital age. This is a classic tale of human compassion, vulnerability, the brutality of war and a great buddy movie.

Yes   |   No


Stanley A.

Birdy has the feel of an epoch, exploring, through flashbacks, the unusual friendship between two very different young men who meet as teenagers and eventually wind up at the same VA hospital, recovering from traumatic events that they experienced as soldiers in Vietnam. The acting is good, the story is moving, and Peter Gabriel's soundtrack is emotionally affective and very powerful. The ending of the movie is worth the wait. what?

Yes   |   No


JONAS MAYER M.

I saw this movie when it was originally released and just recently watched it again. This is such a wonderful movie on so many levels from the first rate story to the incredible acting of Cage and Modine to the cinematography, not to mention the soundtrack courtesy of Peter Gabriel. I can't understand why it only got 3 stars. This movie will touch you.

Yes   |   No


Lisa A.

Powerful acting by Nicolas Cage and Matthew Modine who characterize two guys who grow up together in Philadelphia & be come good friends. Modine's character has an obsession with birds ... everything about them, including believing he can fly (without an airplane) like a bird. The film is about friendship, appreciating those who dance to a different drumbeat, and the devastating cost of war on our soldiers. It's about tolerance, overcoming stereotypes, & for those who are "different", how sometimes they're wiser in other ways than ourselves.

Yes   |   No


George F.

I had to wait a long time for this movie to arrive. I wasn't sure about this movie at first, but the further I got into it, the more I liked it. Very powerful performances from Modine and Cage, and a very good ending that just left you smiling. I probably could have given it 3 1/2 stars.

Yes   |   No


Cor D.

For us not special

Yes   |   No


Susan J.

I love Nicolas Cage. Period. A little long and drawn out, but I liked the ending.

Yes   |   No


Jon D.

FLAWLESS....

Yes   |   No


KC R.

Very odd, but really quite good. It had some holes, but what movie from the 80s doesn't. This is the first movie where Nick really gets to act. After seeing Rumble Fish I wasn't sure if this would be any good, since it is from the same early time in Cage's career, but he did good in this one. Matt did some mighty fine acting too. I recommend this.

Yes   |   No


Melissa W.

We really did not like it. Nicholas Cage, of course, did a good job acting, but the plot was so stupid. It just didn't seem believeable that someone would wish THAT MUCH to be a BIRD!! It didn't really seem like he was mentally impaired, so it didn't seem to make sense why he was so obsessed with birds. Maybe if you read the book first ? . . .

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
    Read all (12)
     
    Robert B.

    Recent events in Iraq and the publicigty that the treatment of physically and mentally wounded soldiers returning home from war today makes this movie, with Vietnam as a background, still relevant in 2007. Visually stunning with a great soundtrack by Peter Gabriel it has one scene I would see over and over as it simulates the flight of a bird with Gabriel's percussive background music. Keep in mind this camera work was done before the digital age. This is a classic tale of human compassion, vulnerability, the brutality of war and a great buddy movie.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Stanley A.

    Birdy has the feel of an epoch, exploring, through flashbacks, the unusual friendship between two very different young men who meet as teenagers and eventually wind up at the same VA hospital, recovering from traumatic events that they experienced as soldiers in Vietnam. The acting is good, the story is moving, and Peter Gabriel's soundtrack is emotionally affective and very powerful. The ending of the movie is worth the wait. what?

    Yes   |   No

     
    JONAS MAYER M.

    I saw this movie when it was originally released and just recently watched it again. This is such a wonderful movie on so many levels from the first rate story to the incredible acting of Cage and Modine to the cinematography, not to mention the soundtrack courtesy of Peter Gabriel. I can't understand why it only got 3 stars. This movie will touch you.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 12 Reviews
       

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