Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageBirdy (1984)
Director: Alan Parker
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
A trifle self-indulgent - well, it is directed by Alan Parker - but never boring, this tells of the strange, trusting friendship between Birdy (Modine), an introverted teenager whose ideal companion is one of his pet birds, and his protective mate Al (Cage). Their relationship is explored both through flashback, larking about at school and fighting as Vietnam conscripts, and in the present: interned in an army mental hospital, the lonely Birdy appears to believe that he has actually turned into one of his own feathered pets. A military doctor has sent for Al in the hope that he can bring his pal back to his senses. But is he mad? Or can genuine freedom exist only in someone's head? You come away convinced that all that RD Laing stuff about the integrity of mad people ought not to be consigned to the dustbin of the '60s after all.Author: CS
Cast & crew
Director: Alan Parker
Producer: Alan Marshall
Cast: Matthew Modine, Nicolas Cage, John Harkins, Sandy Baron, Karen Young, Bruno Kirby full cast
Duration: 120 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Has Michael Mann lost it?
Adam Lee Davies mourns the passing of a major Hollywood talent as Michael Mann's 'Public Enemies' sees the great director running on empty
Why 'Ice Age 3' is really for adults
Tom Huddleston takes a look at a selection of films which bring adult problems to a pre-teen audience
Is this Summer 2009's best film?
The French filmmaker Claire Denis speaks to Dave Calhoun about her new film, '35 Shots of Rum', a tender portrait of a father-daughter relationship in Paris
The Informant: trailer preview
Steven Soderbergh is at it again, this time with a screwball corporate caper starring Matt Damon called 'The Informant'. View the trailer here...
Rudo y Cursi: interview
Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna talk to Time Out about their highly entertaining new comedy, 'Rudo y Cursi'
An open letter to Peter Morgan
Tom Huddleston penned an open letter to Peter Morgan offering some friendly dos and don'ts for the new Bond movie
Outdoor film screenings in London 2009
Derek Adams offers a guide to the best places to see films outside in London this summer
50 essential sci-fi films
With 'Star Trek' making serious waves, we thought it would be a perfect time to select 50 must-see sci-fi films
What do you think?
Post your review now