BIRDY is one of those rare movies that successfully brings a psychological novel to the screen without sacrificing its saliency or complexity.
Although the book by William Wharton is set in the days after WWII, the film has been updated to the post-Vietnam era to tell the story of the deep friendship between Birdy (Modine) and Al Columbato (Cage), a pair of young men whose lives have been scarred by the war experience. Birdy has had an
obsessive affinity for birds since childhood (scenes of which are shown in flashback), but in the period after his wartime service he believes he has actually been transformed into a bird. As a result he is confined to a military mental hospital. His best friend, Al (who was physically wounded in
Vietnam), is determined to bring Birdy back to the real world.
One of the most bizarre accounts of postwar trauma, BIRDY succeeds because of an excellent, nuanced screenplay, supple direction by Parker, and the outstanding performances of both Cage and Modine. Modine's sensitive portrayal of the young man who transcends species boundaries is spellbinding;
Cage is at once affable, concerned, and frustrated. Full of moments which will linger in the memory (such as the flashbacks showing Birdy's attempts to fly or the film's final scene), the film is at once stark, compassionate and hilarious. A fresh and welcome alternative to such "realistic"
postwar films as COMING HOME, WHO'LL STOP THE RAIN, and ROLLING THUNDER. Winner of the 1985 Special Grand Jury Prize at Cannes. leave a comment
