Birdy Film Assignment
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Birdy Film Assignment Birdy is a 1984 American drama film directed by Alan Parker. It is based on William Wharton's novel of the same name. The film is set in the Vietnam War era whereas the book takes place during World War II. Cast Birdy -Matthew Modine Al Columbato -Nicolas Cage Dr. Weiss - John Harkins Mr. Columbato -Sandy Baron Hannah Rourke -Karen Young Renaldi -Bruno Kirby Mrs. Prevost -Nancy Fish Birdy's Father - George Buck Birdy's Mother -Dolores Sage Joe Sagessa -Pat Ryan Mario Columbato - James Santini Doris Robinson -Maud Winchester Ronsky -Marshall Bell Rosanne -Elizabeth Whitcraft Shirley -Sandra Beall Claire -Victoria Nekko Mrs. Columbato -Crystal Field Mr. Kohler -John Brumfeld Synopsis http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/birdy-1984 The movie is about two friends from South Philadelphia. One of them, Al, played by Nicolas Cage, is a slick Romeo with a lot of self-confidence and a way with the women. The other, nicknamed Birdy (Matthew Modine) is goofy, withdrawn, and absolutely fascinated with birds. As kids, they are inseparable friends. In high school, they begin to grow apart, separated by their individual quests for two different kinds of birds. But they still share adventures, as Birdy hangs upside-down from elevated tracks to capture pigeons, or constructs homemade wings that he hopes will let him fly. Then the war comes. Both boys serve in Vietnam and both are wounded. Cage's face is disfigured, and he wears a bandage to cover the scars. Modine's wounds are internal: He withdraws entirely into himself and stops talking. He spends long, uneventful days perched in his room at a mental hospital, head cocked to one side, looking up longingly at a window, like nothing so much as a caged bird. Because "Birdy" is not told in chronological order, the story takes a time to sort itself out. We begin with an agonizing visit by the Cage character to his friend Birdy. He hopes to draw him out of his shell. But Birdy makes no sign of recognition. Then, in flashbacks, we see the two lives that led up to this moment. We see the adventures they shared, the secrets, the dreams. Most importantly, we go inside Birdy's life and begin to glimpse the depth of his obsession with birds. His room turns into a birdcage. His special pets -- including a cocky little yellow canary -- take on individual characteristics for us. We can begin to understand that his love for birds is sensual, romantic, and passionate. Most descriptions of "Birdy" tend to dwell on what seems to be the central plot, the story of the two buddies who go to Vietnam and are wounded, and about how one tries to help the other return to the real world. The movie was directed by Alan Parker. Consider this list of his earlier films: "Bugsy Malone," "Fame," (1980) "Midnight Express," "Shoot the Moon," "Pink Floyd: The Wall," each one coming out of an unexpected place, and avoiding conventional movie genres. He was the man to direct "Birdy," which tells a story so unlikely that perhaps even my description of it has discouraged you -- and yet a story so interesting it is impossible to put this movie out of my mind. Birdy Quotation Assignment: Part A: For this assignment you will select 10 of the following quotations from the movie Birdy. Identify the context: where it is happening, what is happening. Who is speaking and to whom they are speaking Why is the quotation significant (why is it important; what does it tell the viewer in terms of plot, character, theme, etc.). Part B: Select 5 of your 10 quotations. Using the proper paragraph organization and SICA format, explain the importance of each your quotations to the film. Consider contributions to plot, character, setting, and theme and other literary elements in your answer. Part B must be submitted: Word processed, 12pt font, Times New Roman, double-spaced Quotations: 1) “Flying is much more than flapping wings. A bird can flap its wings and not move an inch then when it wants to fly the slightest flick of its wings sends it up against the sky. You have to feel that air has substance and can hold you up. It's mostly a matter of confidence.” 2) “There's nothing in my life to keep me here anymore. I wish I could die and be born again as a bird.” 3) “I guess it's kinda hard to be good at something nobody wants, huh?” 4) “Do you like pigeons?” “What's to like?” “They fly.” “They fly. So what?” “That's enough.” 5) “You ain't gonna fly any more than I could, Birdy.” “The reason you couldn't fly, Al, is you don't believe you could fly.” 6) “They're just like on a cow, but in a more stupid place.” 7) “I don't trust the guy. Everything's too interesting to him.” 8) “You ever wondered what our lives down here must look like to a bird?” 9) “What?” 10) “Last night I flew. I really know what it feels like to fly.” “Oh, you flew? How you flew?” “Well, I'm not sure. It's not something you can really take apart. When I fly, it's like in a dream. Only it's not a dream. The thing is, Al, you can't really put it into words. You just kind of have to feel it.” “You're telling me you can fly like a bird?” “When I fly, Al... I am a bird.” “This is getting too weird, Birdy. You gotta stop it with this.” “I thought if anybody would understand it would be you, Al.” “Well, I don't. I don't even wanna hear about it.” “Why?” “Because I'm tired of it! We used to have fun together. Now you are always off by yourself flying around inside your goddamn head! I hope this dream or whatever it is goes away. I think it's bullshit.” 11) “Maybe life is shitty. It is shitty. I'll tell you something. I'm not trying to pin life anymore. I don't even fucking understand it. I just want to make it through with some dignity, like everybody else. Of course, if there was any real dignity, there wouldn't be any sex.” 12) “In a dream, I'm trying to decide what I am. When I sleep I'm giving myself strength. I'm reaching for the force to fly. Perta waits, cups herself to receive me. I hover then lower myself into her. Perta and I become one. I see through her eyes, fly on her wings. I am no longer alone.” 13) “I'm starting to worry that I'll never really fly the way I've been going. As scary as a bird's life must be... at least they have that. They can always fly away.” 14) “You mean the spitting?” “Yes.” “The army left a bad taste in his mouth.” 15) “The dream is as real to me now as my waking life. I don't know where one begins and the other ends. I wish I could tell Al, but I'm afraid to. In my dreams, nothing holds me down. Everything's out and away. There's nothing in my life to keep me here anymore. I wish I could die and be born again as a bird.” 16) “Al, sometimes you're so full of shit.” 17) “You always were hard to hurt, Birdy. Real losers never hurt.” .