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Overview

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Bird, 1988

Starring: Forest Whitaker, Diane Verona

Directed by: Clint Eastwood

Written by: Joel Oliansky

Language: English

Country: USA

Runtime: 161 min

MPAA Rating:

Rating:7.2

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Profile of Bird

Bird can be described as sincere, captivating, and emotional. The plot revolves around addiction, the life of a musician, and ambition. The main genres are drama and period. In terms of style, Bird is a melodrama. In approach, it is serious and realistic. It is located in the USA. Bird takes place in the 1950s. The soundtrack is jazz. It is drawn from a biography and originally a true story. Bird has received attention for being critically acclaimed and an Oscar winner. Note that it involves profanity.

Summary of Bird

Charlie "Bird" Parker had been a hero of Clint Eastwood's since childhood, and Eastwood, having been disappointed in such jazz biopics as YOUNG MAN WITH A HORN, really wanted to make a true jazz fan's movie about the music. He cast Forest Whitaker as Parker, the legendary alto sax player, and Diane Venora as Chan, Parker's wife. The film shows how Parker, a genius who changed the face of modern music, was hampered and eventually destroyed by his appetite for women, food, and drugs. The two leads do a great job giving a recognizable human face to the characters' complex relationship. With wit and warmth, BIRD tells the story in direct and honest terms, avoiding all sentimentality. Eastwood's love of Parker's music comes across in the tremendous care that he and composer Lennie Niehaus took with reconstructing it, using Parker's original solos. Eastwood and cinematographer Jack N. Green also patterned the dark, moody look of the film after old photos of musicians who used to appear in jazz magazines. Music lovers will be thrilled with the result, and movie lovers will find plenty to engage them in this moving tale of a great man battling his demons.

Details

Language:	English
Country:	USA
Release date:	26 September 1988
Runtime:	161 min
Awards:	Cannes,Academy Awards

Awards

Awarded Best Sound at the 1988 Academy Awards

Forest Whitaker for Best Actor at the 1988 Cannes

Cast and Crew See all

Forest Whitaker

as Charlie 'Bird' Parker

Diane Verona

Photos See all

Bird (1988)

Critics Reviews See all

TV Guide

n a remarkable directorial effort, Eastwood shows a great flair for atmosphere and composition and presents a nuanced, complex, humane portrait of Parker's talents, obstacles, virtues and failings. Whitaker gives a towering performance as the... Full Review

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by: Staff (Not Credited)

The New York Times

Bird is less moving as a character study than it is as a tribute and as a labor of love. The portrait it offers, though hazy at times, is one Charlie Parker's admirers will recognize. Full Review

|
by: Janet Maslin

Users Reviews See all

good effort

A good biographical movie by Clint Eastwood about the life of jazz musician Charlie Bird Parker. Forest Whitaker's acting is amazing as always. It's a two and a half hour movie that you will enjoy, especially if you like jazz music. Read and rate it

21.September.2008
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by: fletcher.munson
fletcher.munson rated this movie6/10Okay

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