Paulie (1998)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

John Roberts

Writer (WGA):

Laurie Craig (written by)

Release Date:

17 April 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Family

Tagline:

The Bird is the Word

Plot:

Life from a parrot's point of view.

Plot Keywords:

Parrot | Janitor | Little Girl | Child's Point Of View | Grand Canyon

Awards:

2 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Gena Rowlands	...	Ivy
Tony Shalhoub	...	Misha Vilyenkov
Cheech Marin	...	Ignacio
Bruce Davison	...	Dr. Reingold
Trini Alvarado	...	Adult Marie Alweather
Jay Mohr	...	Benny / Paulie (voice)
Buddy Hackett	...	Artie
Hallie Kate Eisenberg	...	Marie Alweather
Matt Craven	...	Warren Alweather
Bill Cobbs	...	Virgil the Janitor
Tia Texada	...	Ruby / Lupe (voice)
Laura Harrington	...	Lila Alweather
Peter Basch	...	Graduate Student #1
Emily Mura-Smith	...	Graduate Student #2
Hal Robinson	...	Grandpa

Also Known As:

Polly, a Parrot's Tail (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for brief mild language.

Runtime:

91 min | Switzerland:90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Brazil:Livre | Iceland:L | South Korea:All | Philippines:G | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Chile:TE | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:o.Al. (w) | Mexico:A | Netherlands:AL | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/6 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:U | USA:PG

Company:

DreamWorks SKG

Trivia:

Animal stunt coordinator Boone Narr arranged seven separate bird casting calls, involving over 38 species. Blue-crown Conure parrots were deemed best, and 14 of them were used in the production, different birds with different personalities fitting into different scenes. For scenes that were too dangerous for the live parrots, or needed complex facial expressions in close-ups, an animatronic Paulie created at the Stan Winston Studio was used.

Goofs:

Continuity: In various different scenes, Paulie's wings are seen to be clipped. Any scenes where he isn't flying, his primary feathers have been clipped, you can see when he opens his wings out. Later in the film they say they are clipping his primary feathers but up until then, he is supposed to have had unclipped wings.

Quotes:

[first lines]
[Misha reports for work, it is dark and raining]
Virgil the Janitor: The agency told you you had to pay for your own uniforms, right ?
Misha: Yes, I buy with money from job.
Virgil the Janitor: No, no, no. You can't start the job without a uniform.
Misha: But how to buy if not been paid ?
Virgil the Janitor: You don't have any money ?
Misha: No. This is why I take job. To make money. This is why I come to America. To be a big shoot.
Virgil the Janitor: Shot. Big shot.
Misha: I try not to live in past, only present tense since I come to America.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Monk: Mr. Monk and the Lady Next Door (#7.12)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Estoy Loco

A short summary of the film, as well as detailed comments.

Somehow, this movie manages to be invigorating, bittersweet, and heartwarming at the same time. Stars like Tony Shalhoub (from Providence) bring the tale to life. The story itself is inspiring. We see a desperate, up-and-down life through the most innocent eyes imaginable: a bird's.

Paulie begins his life as a baby parrot given to a little girl (played by Hallie Eisenberg, also known as the Pepsi girl) with a speech impediment. While she learns to speak correctly, so does Paulie. However, unlike most birds, he can speak and understand everything being said. The military father doesn't like the bird, so he is sent to a pawn shop and bought by an aging artist, Ivy. She teaches him manners, etc., while traveling across the country to find Paulie's owner. The movie continues with several twists of fate, until Paulie ends up at a laboratory where he is eventually hidden away in a basement, and found by a Russian custodian, who is touched by the bird's story. the plot is in keeping with the simple, metaphorical theme that language is a gift, and a curse. I would like to say that the soundtrack is astounding. A beautiful mixture of flute, digital base, and horns enhance the movie to the point of pure ecstasy. The sweeping camera angles and breathtaking scenery beautify the story even more. And, as a final remark, the puppetry is entirely believable. (Unlike in star wars, where Yoda resembles a Muppet) This film is one of my favorite movies, with the added remark that my wonderful parakeet of four years died recently. Overall, I give this movie **** out of four stars, two thumbs up, and a big hug.