Despite the film's heavily symbolic tone, little is revealed about either of the characters or indeed the Vietnam War.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Dec 16, 2023

Far better as an antiwar film than as a poetic tribute to flight.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Dec 16, 2023

It may not satisfy hard-line lovers of the book, who may argue that William Wharton's eccentric characters should have remained between its covers, but for those who do not know the novel, or for less rigid William Wharton-ites, it is a risk well taken.

| Dec 16, 2023

A strange tale of... strange friendship, a fascinating film that displays this bonding in marvelous style and which shows the true, loyal love of one man for another as strongly as I've ever seen.

| Dec 16, 2023

Dares to blend beauty with the ugliness of war.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Dec 16, 2023

The simplest solution is to say go see it because it's an extraordinary movie and it features two extraordinary but totally different performances in the leading roles.

| Dec 16, 2023

Not all of the film's metaphors work; a few seem predictable and overdone. And the theme of identity interchange, or the doubling aspect between the two heroes, is a bit trite. Yet the film is still an emotional sledgehammer.

| Dec 16, 2023

"Birdy" is a beautiful one-of-a-kind film made by a director, Alan Parker, who never makes the same film twice.

| Dec 16, 2023

In an age of no-risk moviemaking, it is gratifying to see someone even try to make a film like Birdy. To bring it off so triumphantly, as Parker has done here, is nothing short of amazing.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Dec 16, 2023

To me, there are parts of Birdy that definitely outshine the whole.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Aug 5, 2022

Cage struggles with a character that is no more than a foil to Birdy...

| Jan 3, 2018

Belying the lightheartedness of its title, Birdy is a heavy adult drama about best friends and the after-effects of war, but it takes too long to live up to its ambitious premise.

| Sep 16, 2008

A trifle self-indulgent -- well, it is directed by Alan Parker -- but never boring...

| Feb 9, 2006

A very strange and beautiful movie.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Oct 23, 2004

Most of Birdy is enchanting.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | May 20, 2003