mab@hou4a.UUCP (Michael Brochstein) (12/27/84)
RATING: ***1/2 (out of 4)
Birdy will definitely be remembered come Oscar time for
the fine performances of all its main characters.
Matthew Modine (Birdy) and Nicholas Cage (Al) were
friends while growing up in Philadelphia. Birdy always seemed
more interested in birds than anything else (OK, the nickname
gave it away) while Al was more mainstream. Anyway to make a
long story short, Al and Birdy both go to Vietnam where they
both get injured. Al has skin grafts while Birdy has no visible
physical problems. Birdy however now thinks he is a bird and
acts like one always sitting in a perched position. Al spends
most of the picture trying to bring Birdy back to reality. This
is intertwined with flashbacks to the childhoods of both main
characters (up to the time Al goes into the Army).
This plot may not sound very credible but the
performances of all the main characters that make it very very
believable. Birdy is an excellent movie which I highly recommend
for all. Be forewarned that there are a couple of strong scenes
(the person with me turned her head during them).
Enjoy !!
Michael Brochstein
ihnp4!hou4a!mab