Paulie

Plot synopsis:
The film is a picaresque tale about an intelligent talking blue-crowned conure named Paulie, and his long quest to return to his owner.
Misha Vilyenkov (Tony Shalhoub), a Russian immigrant and former teacher of literature, lives in America and works as a janitor at an animal testing lab. At the lab, Misha encounters Paulie and is shocked to see Paulie speaking fluent English. Subsequently, Paulie does not speak a word when Misha brings others to witness the talking bird.
Misha woos Paulie to tell his story by offering him pieces of mango. Paulie tells Misha about his original owner, a little girl named Marie (Hallie Eisenberg) who suffers from a severe stutter. The story transitions to a flashback scene in which Paulie is a baby bird. As Marie learns to speak properly, so does Paulie, beginning with understanding the meaning of words and progressing to the construction of complex sentences. Marie's father Warren (Matt Craven), a soldier, returns home from Vietnam and decides that Paulie is not helping Marie. The father's resentment of the close bond between Paulie and Marie, and their shared progress in speech development is evident.
It becomes obvious that he wants Marie to forget Paulie, when the father brings her a cat. The cat and Paulie do not get along. Once again, Warren blames Paulie for Marie's speaking problems and believes she has imagined Paulie's ability to speak. Eventually after a dramatic event in which Marie falls off the roof in an attempt to teach Paulie to fly, Warren convinces Marie's mother Lila (Laura Harrington) to send him away.
Paulie is passed from one owner to another, eventually ending up in a pawn shop, where he spends his time insulting the customers. One day a shady customer named Benny (Jay Mohr) shows interest in buying Paulie, thinking he could profit from the bird's ability to talk. Before he can act, however, a widowed artist named Ivy (Gena Rowlands) purchases him with the intent of reforming his rude personality. She befriends the bird and agrees to help him find Marie who has moved across the country to Los Angeles. They begin traveling using her mobile home but when Ivy loses her sight in the middle of their trip, Paulie decides to stay and take care of her. After Ivy dies, Paulie, having finally learned to fly, continues his journey.
In East Los Angeles, Paulie joins a group of performing conures owned by migrant musician Ignacio (Cheech Marin), temporarily forgetting about Marie as he develops feelings for a female conure named Lupe. At one of his performances, Benny, having also moved to L.A. recognizes Paulie and attempts to purchase him from Ignacio. When Ignacio refuses his offer, Benny makes a phoney police call at one of his performances. As the police show up, Benny kidnaps Paulie amidst all the chaos and Ignacio is arrested and presumably deported. Under Benny's influence, Paulie begins a life of crime. In a botched jewel theft, Paulie flies down through the chimney of a house, where he is trapped inside, then abandoned.
Paulie is then brought to the institute, his current home, where employees and scientists are stunned by his intelligence. They subject him to testing, and promise that he will be reunited with Marie. When Paulie discovers that he has been lied to by way of his acquisition as institute property, he refuses to cooperate with any more tests, humiliating Dr. Reingold (Bruce Davison), the head of the institute, in front of his scientific peers by acting like an ordinary parrot. As a result, his wings are clipped, and he is eventually imprisoned in the basement when he starts biting the researchers.
Moved by Paulie's story, Misha decides to give up his menial job to release Paulie and take him to Marie. After escaping from the institute and taking a bus to her address, they find her, now a full grown, beautiful young woman (Trini Alvarado) unrecognizable to Paulie, who believed Marie was her little friend. After a moment of confusion, Paulie and Marie are happily reunited as Marie sings Paulie's favorite song and he remembers her. The film ends with the three characters happily entering the house.

Tags: cute, entertaining

Review:
We see a desperate, up-and-down life through the most innocent eyes imaginable: a bird's.Paulie begins his life as a baby parrot given to a little girl (played by Hallie Eisenberg, also known as the Pepsi girl) with a speech impediment.
The military father doesn't like the bird, so he is sent to a pawn shop and bought by an aging artist, Ivy. She teaches him manners, etc., while traveling across the country to find Paulie's owner.
The movie continues with several twists of fate, until Paulie ends up at a laboratory where he is eventually hidden away in a basement, and found by a Russian custodian, who is touched by the bird's story.
(Unlike in star wars, where Yoda resembles a Muppet) This film is one of my favorite movies, with the added remark that my wonderful parakeet of four years died recently.
Something about "Paulie" touched my heart as few movies do.
My son asked me how the bird knew so many phrases.Probably my favorite part of the movie is when Paulie is in Gena Rowlands (Ivy's) company followed by Cheech Marin (Ignacio).
Instead, it is about a Parrot who learns to talk to help his owner, a little girl with a serious stammer, overcome her speech impediment only to be separated from her in a heart-wrenching scene early on.
Paulie the Parrot sets out to try and find his one great friend, Marie.Along the way, he meets several wonderful people and numerous nasty people.
He gets conned into a life of crime and then captured by a bad scientist who wants to exploit him.He recounts his tale to a sympathetic Janitor in the Lab who agrees to help him escape and find his beloved Marie.Tony Shaloub shines as the kindly Janitor who has an open mind and big heart and who determines to help little Paulie despite the risks.
Jay Mohr plays the voice of the Parrot AND one of the seedy characters he comes across.There is a little suggestive language but this film is appropriate for most kids and even more so if the parents join in on the fun and watch too.
It is a witty, clever, epic animal-adventure story and ultimately a great love story about a Bird and his little girl.
He search for Marie ends with a quite an unexpected surprise for most people who don;t know much about Parrots.Kids who have seen the wild Green Parrot Tribes in Los Angeles and Pasadena will especially benefit from seeing this film and understanding that Birds, especially Parrots are not disposable pets.
All children everywhere, will see that Pets form deep attachments themselves and that the love and loyalty of a dog or parrot is a gift to be treasured.so no BABE here, more of an incredible journey with a twist.Enjoy and try no to tear up during the sad parts..
Paulie is a "feel good" film about the life of an amazing parrot and the lives he touches.
Not more to say except that this is a GREAT MOVIE!My ratings: story 8.5/10, acting 7.5/10, animals+fx 8.5/10, cinematography 8/10.My overall rating: 8/10 - BIG FAMILY MOVIE AND VERY WORTH WATCHING!.
Portraying a parrot telling a Russian immigrant janitor (Tony Shalhoub) of how he searched America for his original owners, the movie tells several stories.
It had laughter, tears, love, adventure, special effects, good actors - and a talking parrot.
It reminded me of a favourite, The Wizard of Oz. The hero, Paulie, an intelligent parrot, is separated from his home and family and goes through many adventures, temptations and disappointments, always keeping in mind his resolution to find his friend, Marie.
Paulie is a humerous movie about life through a parrot's POV.
It's a really touching movie and ranks high among family films, up to Disney status, IMHO..
This movie brought tears to my eyes; John Roberts really knew how to get to viewers' hearts, directing this wonderful picture where life is viewed through the mind and heart of Paulie.
This is great, after thousands of films I saw through my life, "Paulie" really touched me deeply.
This is an EXCELLENT family film and even adults will appreciate the movie's humor.
It told the story of a young girl(Marie) and her best friend Paulie the parrot, who unbelievably could talk and quite frequently held conversations with her.
Paulie is the best family movie I have found and wholeheartedly enjoyed.
I was touched with the lives that paulie touched along his way to find his "marie" the little girl he was separated from.
Paulie is a loveable parrot who is owned by a little girl (Maire Kate Eisenbierg), they love each other dearly.
Paulie breaks away and searches for the little girl, and all this becomes "Paulie : A Parrots Tale."You'll love this film, and you'll fall in love with Paulie.My rating : 8/10..
I don't know who could find fault with a simply human and funny film like this with lots of delights for your heart.
It will not only touch your heart but it's such a good family friendly film--we need many more like these!.
This was the best family movie - that wasn't animated - that I've seen in a long time.
Loved It. This is such a great movie to watch with young children.
Paulie is a wonderful film filled with touching moments.The characters are all lovable especially Paulie as he enters the lives of many people on his journey.It is journey worth experiencing.
The story of a talking parrot and the adventures he has while trying to return to the little girl he misses.
It is a sentimental joyous movie about the love of a parrot for a little girl and his search to find her and meeting different people along the way of his travels.
It's about a little girl ( with a voice impediment ) who treasures her green parrot Paulie.
The parrot thinks and talks like a human being and gives help and advice to his constant companion.The parrot is definitely the star of the film.
The synchronised voice too is very well done and within a minute or two you can actually believe that this intelligent little bird exists.Early in the film her father  gives the bird to a pawnbroker and the subsequent scenes tell the story of Paulie's constant struggle over many years to be re-united with his mistress.
Children will love this film and anybody who keeps a bird as a pet will delight in Paulie's antics..
This movie is told by the parrot, Paulie's point of view.
Paulie helps Marie learn to talk and they become best friends.
But when Paulie tells Marie to fly, she falls and the bird is sent away.
I raised a parrot that looked a lot like Paulie, and I could never bring myself to see the movie because I missed my bird so much.
Sure enough, when I saw it the first time, I cried all the way through, because I loved Paulie's heart.
Add Paulie the parrot to beloved movie animal characters.
This movie is a love story - bird and Gena Rowlands, Bird and beloved Marie, Michael and Marie.
A Russian janitor helps a talking and thinking parrot find his rightful owner many years after Marie's parents sell him to a pawn shop.
If you love birds, Paulie's adventure will touch your heart.
A charming movie featuring two strong characters who genuinely befriend the little parrot separated from his young owner.
Thoroughly feel good movie, it left tears in the eyes of two grown men who sat down to watch it.It takes you back to every innocent part in your childhood and you're left wondering where the magic has gone.Paulie is a classic anyday.Go watch it without "PREJUDICE"10/10.
Paulie is a fantasy of a littler girl or perhaps her recollection of what her youth was like growing up.Tony Shaloub executes a flawless performance as an Russian Scientist (PhD) who cannot find decent work in America.
He befriends an isolated parrot while performing meanial duties of a janitor at a behavioral science lab.The chief Doctor is a bitter man, as Paulie, who can speak and fully comprehend language and learn, embarasses the Doctor, who later banishses him to the lower levels of the building, where Mikail (Tony S.) finds him.Paulie recants his life with Marie and how they lost each other.
The story closes with the three entering Marie's home, where you can make the final your own choice.Great family film!.
The ending is pretty good when the little girl grows up and  the parrot does not realize that she has grown up.I recommend this film to anyone..
Ok, this is your standard cute family movie.Its about a stuttering little girl (the pepsi girl), that loses her parrot that can actually talk , not just repeat words.
A man that is a janitor finds the parrot in the basement that he works in, the parrot talks about his life, and the man tries to get the parrot back to the girl.Rated PG- Theres nothing really objectionable in this film , just some mild language use.Jay Mohr (from the opie and anthony , and ron and fez show) appears , and so does Cheech Marin!.
Paulie was a movie meant to touch your heart.
Paulie himself is absolutely a great character himself, and his devotion to his girl is heart-warming.
How are scientists supposed to know if the product they're testing causes the growth of rat- tails, bunny ears or, in the case of this family movie, emerald plumage?Locked in the basement of an animal testing facility, a smart-mouthed parakeet makes friends with the janitor, Misha (Tony Shalhoub), whom he regales with tales of his life, pre- clipped wings.
In them, Paulie talks of a young girl (Hallie Kate Eisenberg), whom he helped overcome a speech impediment.He also tells of his additional owners (Jay Mohr, Gena Rowlands, Cheech Marin).
All of whom, he shared tender and treacherous adventures with, before ending up behind bars.Swayed by his sad story, Misha helps Paulie escape.With great characters, a heartfelt story and the use of real animals, Paulie is a real kid pleaser.In fact, this movie is way more fun than actually owning a parakeet.
I watched this movie first as a young child and found it to be funny, entertaining,and heartwarming and did not see it again for several years.
The movie was about a little girl who owned a parrot of whom she named Paulie.
In the end the man helped Paulie reunite with Marie (the little girl who raised Paulie).
I'm sorry, but asking a 6 year-old child to out-do Dustin Hoffman as the Rainman is asking for the impossible in film-making.Moving past that minor complaint, the movie has the best of many films: buddy road-trip, con-games, hero as friendly party-animal (party-bird?), Disney-like humor for young and old, etc.
Watch the movie and that will make sense.Buddy Hackett and Cheech Marin make very appropriate appearances in the film.
In the end, even that works well; put Parrot and anti-Parrot together as a team and it creates a magic of its own.If you are trying to find a film for you and the kids that is neither insulting nor boring for either, "Paulie" is a perfect candidate.
From the opening frame, the movie takes on a beautifully painted portrait of the life of a Conure named Paulie and all of his relationships with humans, from his early days with his beloved owner Maria, through his many adventures in search of her, after he is taken away.
Bought for a little girl with speech difficulties, Paulie becomes her best friend and goes everywhere with her.
What's special about this film is the fact that the main character is Paulie -the parrot- and he's not used as a boost to some hotshot human actor.
You're thinking something along the lines of "a schmaltzy movie about a talking parrot.
The story does have a number of lovely moments, such as the chemistry between Paulie and young Marie, and the script is touching with some moments of sly wit.
Where else would you see a parrot cheering on the winged attackers while watching Hitchcock's The Birds, or even Bruce Davison wanting to steal the secret of Paulie's voice, Gena Rowlands trying to teach the cocky bird some manners and Cheech Marin introducing him to his singing circus?
One is young Marie, the speech-impaired but simply adorable little girl who takes care of Paulie.
STAR RATING:*****Unmissable.****Very Good.***Okay.**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead.*Avoid At All Costs.Paulie the parrot,a nice chap bird,is brought as a present for a little girl with caring,protective parents and a bit of a speech impairment problem.Together,they exchange knowledge,as she teaches him how to make the most of himself and he teaches her how to talk properly,well,kind of.But one night,she has an accident,and,in one of the movies sad scenes,her father takes him away for what he considers her safety.As Paulie says:'She had a problem that would'nt go,a dad who would'nt listen and a mom who could'nt cope.'Anyhaw,then he is taken in by a sweet mannered old lady who's husband tragically died.She teaches him mannerisms,and about a satisfactory interpretation of life.After that,he joins an eager minded Cuban,and the rest of his dancing parrot squad,until a police raid at a venue goes wrong and he winds up in the care of a pety crook (Jay Mohr)and his white trash girlfriend.Then,a major raid goes wrong,until finally,he winds up at a laboratory,where a self minded head professor needs him for a breakthrough experiment.A lowly janitor finally decides to inject some meaning into his life and help poor Paulie find his dearest friend.There were 2 stages where I thought this film would let one of the most wholesomely pleasant films I've seen in ages down.Luckily,at one of these stages,it did'nt.When Paulie steals money from credit machines for Mohr,and attempts to steal a priceless necklace,he did'nt know what he was doing was wrong and he was under the impression of someone else.The film then shows Paulie show remorse for his crime,which was good.But then,he goes and throws in some blantently unnesarsary swearing,for what was meant to be a U certificate movie.This was probably the most pleasant,nice movies I've seen since Short Circuit when I was 5.Although Paulie and Johnny 5 are probably not in the same calibre of pleasantness,they wre both good movies.So,overall,I thought Paulie was a pleasant,occasionally rather funny and very touching,refreshing break from the norm.I'm glad I can say I've seen it.***.
The story surrounds a parrot named Paulie (voiced by Mohr) who can talk (not mimic like other parrots, he insults) and his mouth gets him in trouble as he goes across the county to find his owner, Marie.
"Paulie" is a somewhat watchable film about a talking parrot and all his adventures.
As talking animal films go, Paulie's on a par with Babe.
Wondering how this world to the wise bird ended up in a dusty basement, Misha convinces Paulie to tell him his life story.
Of a cage that is!Paulie was one of a number of talking animal films released by DreamWorks in the late 90s.
Paulie's worldly, but he is also naive in his way.Because he's lived a rather sheltered life with Marie, when he's taken away, he has to fend for himself for the first time.
A talking parrot isn't a hugely imaginative idea for a new film, but Paulie turns a simple idea into a brilliant, heartwarming film that will delight the whole family.
Paulie's story is a moving, sad, happy and interesting one - from the moment he is first seen to the moment he is united with his original owner, you will enjoy following him and watching him learning about friendship and the grim realities of life along the way.
If you love birds like my wife does, this film is for you.
i just love this film Paulie came out in 1998 and i remember i was 8 at that time i used to watch this film every time it used to come on TV years lated i bought the DVD recently & checked it out again it made me cry that so many years just passed by it is so nostalgic.i don't know if Paulie was a real parrot or cgi but still i love him it was a interesting character.the story of this film revolves around a parrot named Paulie who goes on a journey he just wants to find her original owner Marie a little girl who loved him.i am not telling one bit that how Paulie ends up in a lab or why he is locked up in a basement & how a man helps him by listening to his story.the best thing about this movie is humans forget each other but animals never forget they have strong feelings about love.overall its a very emotional film with a great films like these are rare and sadly no one makes films like this anymore all the want is those garbage James Bond action films.i like to mention one more thing about the actress who played adult Marie i wonder where she is nowadays she was amazing her name is Trini Alvarado she should do more films.Paulie 1998 is a film for everyone if you have feelings in your heart & if you are a good person this film is for you my rating is 10/10.Highly Recommended..
The dance sequences with the parrots are something kids will find cute,I found them amusing.Paulie,who's naive',learns quickly that not all humans are nice people.
Paulie (1998): Dir: John Roberts / Cast: Tony Shalhoub, Gena Rowlands, Jay Mohr, Richard Cheech Marin, Bruce Davison: Family film that will appeal to adults more than children.
Richard Cheech Marin plays a parrot owner who uses Paulie for an act before he is stolen by Mohr.
I was attracted to this movie by Tony Shalhoub, (from "Monk"), who does a great job with his character's Russian accent.
an average movie with a talking bird.