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Birdy
1984
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 .. Read more
| Starring | Matthew Modine, Nicolas Cage, John Harkins, Sandy Baron |
|---|---|
| Director | Alan Parker |
| Genres | Drama |
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Birdy
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.
| Starring | Matthew Modine, Nicolas Cage, John Harkins, Sandy Baron, Karen Young |
|---|---|
| Director | Alan Parker |
| Studio | SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 55 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Dubbed | French, German, Italian, Spanish |
| Subtitles | DVD: Arabic, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish |
| Released | DVD: 17 Apr 2000 Production year: 1984 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (6)
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An engrossing psychological drama featuring powerful performances from Matthew Modine and Nicolas Cage as childhood friends who grow up to be scarred by the trauma of fighting in Vietnam. Director Alan Parker, probably better known for such films as Fame, The Commitments and Evita, shows his versatility by adapting William Wharton's complex novel with sensitivity and skill, while Modine is exceptional as the boy who believes he's a bird. It deservedly won the Special Grand Jury Prize at the 1985 Cannes film festival.
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"...[Modine] skillfully essays the offbeat troubled character....[Cage is] sensitive and strong....[The] supporting parts are excellently cast..."
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Most helpful member's review
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6 out of 7 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Cage is amazing. Film is amazing.
An amazing film by the extremely talented Alan Parker, who directed Pink Floyds the wall among many others. Early Nick Cage shows him at his very best, raw, natural and bursting with kinetic energy. Moddine also brings in a perfect class act, and the 2 gel so perfectly, you'd think they were twins. a very subtle but deeply meaning full piece of work. A must see for any age or disposition.
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Most recent members' review
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Flying high
Thankfully I'd read the book a year or so back, which was a good job as I think some parts might have seemed a little obscure if I hadn't. It's a good film, but quite heavy in parts. Nicholas Cage's performance is strong until the last scenes when he doesn't cope well with emoting too much. Not surprising with his head half covered in bandages. Matthew Modine gives probably his best performance as the boy who wants to be a budgie. Alan Parker directs with aplomb as per usual, but for all that it remains curiously uninvolving.
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