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Movies / On DVD / Birdy
Birdy

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Birdy (1984)

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88 %
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Reviews Counted:25

Fresh:22

Rotten:3

Average Rating:7.4/10

Runtime: 2 hrs

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: In Alan Parker's adaptation of William Wharton's acclaimed novel, the title character is a Vietnam vet hospitalized for postwar trauma. Lying in a state of amentia, Birdy (Matthew Modine)... In Alan Parker's adaptation of William Wharton's acclaimed novel, the title character is a Vietnam vet hospitalized for postwar trauma. Lying in a state of amentia, Birdy (Matthew Modine) fantasizes about birds in flight, an obsession that has haunted him since childhood. Now this fascination acts as a barrier to reality and the pain of his years in Vietnam. After doctors' efforts fail to cure him, his childhood friend Al (Nicolas Cage)--also a discharged soldier nursing wounds from the war--is brought in to try to coax Birdy out of his hallucinations. BIRDY, told largely in stark, lyrical flashbacks from Al's point of view, is both a heartrending examination of the psychological consequences of war and an ode to the spiritually rejuvenating powers of friendship and imagination. The two young leads turn in powerful, humane performances. Parker (MIDNIGHT EXPRESS) provides innovative direction, most notably in the film's stunning, controversial ending. [More]

Starring: Matthew Modine, Nicolas Cage, John Harkins, Sandy Baron

Starring: Matthew Modine, Nicolas Cage, John Harkins, Sandy Baron, Karen Young

Director: Alan Parker

Director: Alan Parker
Story: William Wharton
Screenwriter: Alan Parker, Jack Behr, Sandy Kroopf
Producer: Alan Marshall
Composer: Peter Gabriel

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Birdy

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Raising issues about the nature of madness and what constitutes true freedom, this is a curiously arty film from Parker, a frequently unsubtle director, usually so dismissive of any kind of pretension, but a gripping one, nonetheless.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
09/16/08
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A trifle self-indulgent -- well, it is directed by Alan Parker -- but never boring

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Belying the lightheartedness of its title, Birdy is a heavy adult drama about best friends and the after-effects of war, but it takes too long to live up to its ambitious premise.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
09/16/08
Variety Staff
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
05/07/07
Chuck O'Leary
Chuck O'Leary
FulvueDrive-in.com

A haunting and unpredictable film that more people need to discover.

comment Comment
09/06/06
Rob Thomas
Rob Thomas
Capital Times (Madison, WI)

Movies don't get more emo. But don't hold that against it.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
08/26/06
Rob Gonsalves
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com

No review available.

comment Comment
08/09/06
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

There's something truly beautiful about this friendship story, the adaptation is wonderful, the music brilliant, and the ending sublime.

comment Comment
07/15/05
Gregory Weinkauf
Gregory Weinkauf
ÜberCiné

No review available.

comment Comment
07/03/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

comment Comment
07/01/05
Jake Euker
Jake Euker
F5 (Wichita, KS)

No review available.

comment Comment
05/03/05
Jules Brenner
Jules Brenner
Cinema Signals

No review available.

comment Comment
03/18/05
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

A very strange and beautiful movie.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
10/23/04
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
02/08/04
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette

No review available.

comment Comment
11/19/03
Bob Grimm
Bob Grimm
Las Vegas CityLife

No review available.

comment Comment
08/21/03
John Esther
John Esther
Pasadena Weekly

No review available.

comment Comment
08/16/03
Walter Chaw
Walter Chaw
Film Freak Central

Striking Alan Parker film too often overlooked.

comment Comment
08/14/03
Ken Hanke
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

One of those rare movies that successfully brings a psychological novel to the screen without sacrificing its saliency or complexity.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
07/30/03
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

An audacious movie about friendship and survival in a world of varied violations to the human spirit.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
07/23/03
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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