Paulie (1998)
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62% of critics liked it
(37 reviews) -
51% of users liked it
(43,252 ratings)
In the Babe tradition of talking animatronic animals, this comedy adventure gets underway when animal-research-lab janitor Misha (Tony Shalhoub) expresses concern for a Blue-crown Conure parrot named Paulie (voice of Jay Mohr) caged in a dank basement. Misha settles back as Paulie tells his life… More In the Babe tradition of talking animatronic animals, this comedy adventure gets underway when animal-research-lab janitor Misha (Tony Shalhoub) expresses concern for a Blue-crown Conure parrot named Paulie (voice of Jay Mohr) caged in a dank basement. Misha settles back as Paulie tells his life story, seen in flashback: When Paulie was owned by little Marie (Hallie Kate Eisenberg), the parrot helped the little girl get rid of her stutter. After Marie tried to teach Paulie how to fly, he wound up in a pawnshop owned by Artie (Buddy Hackett), where he got an education in one-liners. Paulie and Ivy (Gena Rowlands) learn Marie's family is in LA, so Ivy agrees to drive Paulie cross-country in her RV. However, Marie goes blind and dies. Paulie is forced to fly to LA, where small-time entrepreneur Ignacio (Cheech Marin), with an eye for talent, talons and tacos, puts Paulie to work as a dancer at his taco-stand, where Paulie gets a birds-eye view of a female parrot with pretty plumage. Unfortunately, researcher Dr. Reingold (Bruce Davison), convinced Paulie can bring him academic recognition, steps in with a false promise to link the parrot up with Marie. Betrayed, Paulie refuses to speak anything other than the standard "want-a-cracker" lines, resulting in solitary confinement. Misha, who knows why the caged bird talks, hopes to free Paulie for an eventual reunion with Marie. Animal stunt coordinator Boone Narr and Stan Winston animatronics brought Paulie to life. For another fine-feathered film, see Dean Riesner's Bill and Coo (1947); the film's all-bird cast (dressed in human clothing) brought a "Special Award" for producer Ken Murray during the 1948 Oscar ceremony. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
- Directed By
- John Roberts
- Written By
- Laurie Craig
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Comedy
PG,
- In Theaters
- Apr 17, 1998 Wide
- On DVD
- Aug 3, 1999
- Studio
- DreamWorks S.K.G.
Critic Reviews
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Todd McCarthy, Variety
Paulie has moments of minor charm but lacks the magic to fully capture the imaginations of either children or adults.
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Lisa Alspector, Chicago Reader
Shalhoub gives an impressively nuanced performance in the dangerously cliched role, and Paulie -- a combination of trained parrots, animatronics, and the voice of Mohr -- comes across as a fully developed character.
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Bob Heisler, Los Angeles Times
A perfect family movie with the intelligence, humor and hug-me moments to be a great first-date movie, too. Just remember to bring a hankie.
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Louis B. Parks, Houston Chronicle
Unusual and surprisingly agreeable.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The film is aimed at children, I suppose, although I don't think they'll like Paulie all that much. I didn't.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Gena Rowlands
as Ivy
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Jay Mohr
as Paulie
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Tia Texada
as Lupe, Ruby
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Tony Shalhoub
as Misha
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Cheech Marin
as Ignacio
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Bruce Davison
as Dr. Reingold
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Trini Alvarado
as Adult Marie
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Buddy Hackett
as Artie
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Hallie Kate Eisenberg
as Marie
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Matt Craven
as Warren Alweather
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Bill Cobbs
as Virgil
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Laura Harrington
as Lila Alweather
