Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
Two young men are seriously affected by the Vietnam War. One of them has always been obsessed with birds - but now believes he really is a bird, and has been sent to a mental hospital. Can his friend help him pull through?
Birdy is a distinctively singular film — Alan Parker's unusual blend of Vietnam trauma and avian obsession gives it a dreamlike, one-of-a-kind quality. Matthew Modine and Nicolas Cage deliver raw, committed performances that anchor the film's emotional credibility. The non-linear structure and Peter Gabriel score add to its offbeat atmosphere. However, the ending feels inconclusive and somewhat unsatisfying, failing to fully resolve the psychological journey. The cinematography is competent but unremarkable for the era. Its novelty remains its greatest strength — there is simply nothing quite like it.