Roark66

Birdy is an underrated classic...it soars just like the title of the film suggests. I will just leave it at that, because this coming of age story isn't always uplifting and lilting, but it also has some downward spirals as well. Together, the intensity of what war does to a young man, and the antics of being young and carefree in your teen years, make the contrast of the highs and lows depicted in this film that much more intense The film is aptly directed by Alan Parker (Midnight Express, Evita, Angel Heart. Pink Floyd: The Wall), the British director who never really made a bad film in the 30 plus years of his career. With Birdy, Parker hits it home again, as he does with so many of his films, bringing together a perfect pairing of music and a story that needs to have that music accompany it. In this case, his inspired choice of Peter Gabriel, gives this film wings. The music is so absolutely perfect. that without it, it would be a different film altogether. Kind of like taking away Georgio Moroder's soundtrack to Midnight Express, it just can't be undone, the music is almost like another character in the film. Nearly all Alan Parker films, if not all of them, have this common thread, of music weighing in heavily, and taking on a persona, in a sense. This film also has one of the finest ensembles of actors you can find, lead by Matthew Modine, and Nicholas Cage, both who give outstanding performances...noteworthy of of Oscar nods, but which none were given to this rarely seen underdog sleeper of 1984. I highly recommend this film to anybody who has a zest for life, and a love for tremendous film making. It's really important to watch this film loud, preferably with surround sound, and a big screen. You definitely want to get lost in this film, you will be glad you did.