Paulie (1998)

Paulie, a talking parrot, recounts his travels looking for his original owner to a Russian janitor who helps him to the end of his journey.

Director:

John Roberts

Writer:

Laurie Craig

Stars:

Gena Rowlands, Tony Shalhoub, Cheech Marin

2 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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 Eisenberg	...	Marie Alweather (as Hallie Kate Eisenberg)
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

Storyline

Paulie, an intelligent parrot who actually talks, relates the story of his struggle to a Russian immigrant who works as a janitor at the research institute where he is housed and neglected. Paulies story begins many years earlier when he is given as a gift to a little girl who stutters. Eventually, he teaches the girl to speak correctly but is taken away by her father because he believes the girl cannot distinguish fantasy from reality because she believes the bird can talk. Paulie goes through a series of adventures with a pawn shop owner, an ageing widow, a Mexican-American troubadour and a would be thief before being taken to the institute where he now lives.

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Plot Keywords:

parrot | girl | janitor | human animal relationship | road trip | 

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Taglines:

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single parrot.

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for brief mild language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

17 April 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Polly, a Parrot's Tail

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$23,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,369,800, 19 April 1998, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$27,008,669, 16 August 1998

Company Credits

Production Co:

DreamWorks, Mutual Film Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tim Allen was considered for the role of Paulie.

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Goofs

When Marie and her mother are hugging each other after Marie says, "Cup" while struggling, you can see that Paulie pooped on the table.

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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 to 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 when 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.
[...]

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Connections

Features The Birds (1963)

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Soundtracks

Stayin' Alive
Written by Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb & Maurice Gibb
Performed by The Bee Gees (as Bee Gees)
Courtesy of PolyGram International Music B.V.
By arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Music

User Reviews

A heartwarming, feel good film!

Paulie is a "feel good" film about the life of an amazing parrot and the lives he touches. He starts out as the friend of a young girl, then lives with a dying woman, an Hispanic performer and a con man. He finally winds up as the subject of experiments at a laboratory, where he is befriended by an introverted Russian immigrant, played by the wonderful Tony Shalhoub. I won't give away the end of the film, but it'll bring tears to your eyes. You won't believe you are crying about a parrot! A nice little movie that'll make you laugh and cry and give you a feeling of hope!