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Bird (1988)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Joel Oliansky (written by)
Release Date:
30 September 1988 (USA)
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Tagline:
"There are no second acts in American lives." - F. Scott Fitzgerald
Plot:
The troubled life and career of the jazz musician, Charlie "Bird" Parker. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Won Oscar.
Another 7 wins
&
6 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(8 articles)
A Serious Man and the odd movie out
(From The Guardian - Film News. 29 November 2009, 1:30 PM, PST)
At 50, Kind of Blue Still Totally Awesome
(From newser. 17 August 2009, 12:16 PM, PDT)
(From The Guardian - Film News. 29 November 2009, 1:30 PM, PST)
At 50, Kind of Blue Still Totally Awesome
(From newser. 17 August 2009, 12:16 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
The Tragedy of a Musical Legend: The Bird
more (29 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Forest Whitaker | ... | Charlie 'Bird' Parker | |
| Diane Venora | ... | Chan Parker | |
| Michael Zelniker | ... | Red Rodney | |
| Samuel E. Wright | ... | Dizzy Gillespie | |
| Keith David | ... | Buster Franklin | |
| Michael McGuire | ... | Brewster | |
| James Handy | ... | Esteves | |
| Damon Whitaker | ... | Young Bird | |
| Morgan Nagler | ... | Kim | |
| Arlen Dean Snyder | ... | Dr. Heath | |
| Sam Robards | ... | Moscowitz | |
| Penelope Windust | ... | Bellevue Nurse | |
| Glenn Wright | ... | Alcoholic Patient (as Glenn T. Wright) | |
| George Orrison | ... | Patient with Checkers | |
| Bill Cobbs | ... | Dr. Caulfield |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
161 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Australia:M |
Argentina:18 |
UK:15 |
Spain:13 |
Singapore:NC-16 |
South Korea:12 |
Finland:K-10 |
Norway:10 |
Sweden:11 |
USA:R |
Germany:12 |
Iceland:12
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Though the actual saxophone playing is original Charlie Parker performances, the body and fingering during those are performed by Charles McPherson, who had to learn to breathe exactly like Parker did in the recordings.
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Goofs:
Anachronisms: When Charlie Parker goes to Dizzy Gillespie's house in the middle of the night and asks Dizzy to write down a tune, the year is 1953. The tune is "Now's the Time", which was published and recorded in 1949.
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Quotes:
Chan Parker:
Dizzy sent you a birthday card. Seems he's back in town. Do you owe him a phone call?
Charlie Parker: I owe Dizzy everything...except a phone call.
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Charlie Parker: I owe Dizzy everything...except a phone call.
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in Pepe Guindo (1999)
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Soundtrack:
Albino Red Blues
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (29 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Bird (1988)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| A Failure of a biopic | epatten67 |
| Why was it Rated R? | mcbain20 |
| Best Jazz Movie Ever? | hansvandergeest |
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Clint Eastwood's love for jazz is clearly reflected in this marvelous piece of tragedy. 'Bird' is indeed about the one and only legendary Charlie Parker who lived a somewhat tortured life supported by his wife Chan, alcohol, substance abuse and jazz and yet he became the greatest give to jazz. His contribution remains one of the most essential to the music and he is one name that's required to be known by all jazz lovers. 'Bird' is one film that will especially appeal to jazz lovers.
The cinematography and lighting adds to the 40s and 50s chaotic jazz atmosphere. However, I thought that perhaps Parker's solos would have been better left with the original music instead of integrating it with modern musicians. Nevertheless this is one minor flaw. 'Bird' isn't told in chronological order and I was a little confused about the time-line but quickly it got clear.
I also loved the way Clintwood focused on the love story between Bird and Chan. There clearly was a deep love between the two but Parker was a difficult tormented soul and his wife always had a strong presence in his life, always being there for him despite his chronic abuse of drugs and alcohol and his infidelity. Forest Whitaker gives the performance of a lifetime. He's sublime but also ravaged and disturbingly tormented as Charlie Parker. I haven't seen 'The Last King of Scotland' but I wonder why it took years for this actor to get the deserved recognition. Diane Venora is just as good and in spite of having numerous good work to her credit, she too does not seem to get the deserved recognition.
I think 'Bird' would have been a better film about Parker, had Eastwood shown more of Parker's contribution to jazz in 'Bird'. I was already a little familiar with Parker's works and influence. We do catch a very little glimpse of Parker's struggle in getting accepted as a musician. As a result, 'Bird' isn't exactly a 'complete' biopic. I remember watching another beautiful biopic called 'Iris' but was very disappointed that there was no mention of the great writers works. Perhaps Eastwood wanted to limit the film from exceeding the length (it's already longer than two hours) yet at places the pace is quite lethargic.
Having said it all, in spite of its flaws, it remains a fantastic film that I recommend to everyone, not only jazz lovers. A fine piece of film.