stef-decloe I have had this movie for years and had only watched it in FF, just to know how it felt... And I never felt really attracted to watch it.Well, today I took the time, got documented, and was scotched to the screen for almost 2 hours... I laughed, and I cried, a lot.I won't go psychological or philosophical, but I felt this movie really got in to me, deep in to me. I know this isn't the story, but when I suffered a severe depression some years ago, the only one I could let into my world was my dog. He was the only one to understand me, and the only one I could communicate with. I think there is something to do in therapy with animals...Above all, this movie is a tribute to friendship, to love. Nothing physical, just pure friendship, pure love.I was never a Nicoals Cage fan, but he has surprised me some times. Here again. Both him and Matthew Modine are great, "sublime", comme on dit en Français...The music was also very good (memories...).At the very end, I laughed and cried at the same time. The ending is open, and tends to optimism...I really can't but give it a 9/10.

Walter Kovacs I didn't see a large number of such multi-layered films like "The Birdy", which has not only a dramatic & emotional story, but in addition hidden (inside?) serious philosophical topics about mankind and human inside the exteriorly story. By the way I couldn't really believe when I had known about the fact of Nicolas Cage's being 20 years in his performance. The leading line is a story about perfect friendship of a pair of opposites and this friendship seems so weird to me because of a great contrast between 2 different persons, but maybe it is attraction of opposites there. But this story is only general background for unveiling such global problems: an individual and society and their conflicts, the meaning of dreams for human, freedom, humanity, types of love, human faith and one of the key ideas about "People need each other", "homo homini amicus est". I don't like making a distinction between Birdy and El as introvert and extrovert, or "a man with poor in spirit" and "a man with a willing spirit", cause both sides had fears and were weakling, thinking that they would run away. Nicolas Cage's character was trying to escape from himself, Matthew Modine's character wanted to shelter from a cold reality under his solitary shell. Unfortunately, they both were egregiously wrong, that's why I reckon that no one was mentally stronger and consequently they were in need of support from each other. Towards the end of the movie it becomes more and more depressive - Cage's final monologue is totally hopeless, 2 "crazy" men having no way out. However, the final scene so purifies that you will be feeling a huge relief after all, despite a constant exertion throughout the ending. There's nothing to say about brilliant playing of Modine and Cage - they did awesome work, really "young" geniuses. The Alan Parker's movie is a kind of trip from high-state dreams into the core of the hell called "life" sometimes .

jkenny-2 I have only one thing to add about this movie, which I just watched for the first time. It has the MOST PERFECT ending of any movie ever! Those who say detracting things about the ending must not get it, must not have been paying attention! The director has been building up, so expertly, an incredible sense of tension whether or not Birdy's old neighborhood buddy will be able to reach his shattered mind. In the last split second, we find out. The abruptness is not a "gag"; it sums up the tale perfectly. Jeesh! Just think about it, would ya?...What a great, realistic, thoughtful, touching flick! AND WHAT A GREAT ENDING!

Omur Kayiran Respect Parker,you have given the camera the wings of life,like the birds did it to Birdy. This art-smelling classic is certainly a milestone of using the technology. I am sure that the Lumiere Brothers would be proud of it if they were alive.Because of the great scenario,better said of the great novel,which is definitely written by a sick polygraph,the skycam view turns in to a sky traffic jam.Every scene is distinctive like Brecht has ordered in his Anti-Hollywood epic theory,and this scenes are hosting a lot of smart created funny dialogues.Even the brainless knife story at the begin where Al and Birdy started there friendship like animals and also the final scene which feels like Parker has run out of time and will make his last joke,are unforgettable moments. Francis Fords nephew Cage 'The Italian Stallion' and the Full Metal Joker Birdy 'The selfish parrot' acted in many scenes as they had a sexual relationship behind the camera,but I am sure that these scenes are the results of Parkers words on the set 'I want more emotion you newcomers !!!'. This fly motion picture deserves a page in the history of cinema and in the history of birds.