Paulie Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bird with an attitude problem bounces around owners until he’s finally reunited with his human, who, spoiler alert, can talk to birds too!

🍿 Paulie: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Paulie and Marie

The film opens with Paulie, an intelligent parrot capable of human speech, living in a research institute. He is discovered by Misha, a Russian immigrant working as a janitor. Paulie recounts his life story, beginning with his early days as a companion to a young girl named Marie, who has a stutter.

Separation and Journey

Paulie helps Marie overcome her speech impediment, but her father, believing the parrot is hindering her ability to distinguish reality from fantasy, separates them. This begins Paulie’s long journey across the country, encountering various people along the way, each impacting his life in different ways. He meets a pawn shop owner, a kind elderly woman named Ivy, and a Mexican-American musician.

Adventures and Misadventures

Paulie experiences both good and bad times. He travels with Ivy, learning about the importance of hope and friendship. He later becomes involved with a con artist, leading him down a path of crime. His adventures eventually land him back in captivity at the research institute, where he meets Misha, setting the stage for his potential reunion with Marie.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Paulie (Jay Mohr (voice)): A talking parrot determined to reunite with his original owner, Marie, embarking on a cross-country adventure.
• Misha Vilyenkov (Tony Shalhoub): A kind-hearted Russian janitor who befriends Paulie and helps him in his quest to find Marie.
• Marie Alweather (Hallie Eisenberg (young), Trini Alvarado (adult)): The little girl who initially owns and loves Paulie, forming a deep bond with the talking parrot.
• Ivy (Gena Rowlands): An aging, kind woman who befriends Paulie and helps him search for Marie, teaching him important life lessons.
• Ignacio (Cheech Marin): A Mexican-American troubadour who includes Paulie in his performing parrot act.
• Dr. Reingold (Bruce Davison): A scientist who wants to exploit Paulie’s ability to talk for his own research and gain.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Paulie: “There are things in life you put off, because you think you’re gonna do them later. But the real thing Ivy taught me is you gotta live like there may not be a later.” – Paulie reflects on the valuable lesson he learned from Ivy about cherishing the present moment.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $23,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $26,875,268
• Worldwide Gross: $26,875,268

💥 Paulie Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely adored Paulie! From the moment that little parrot started talking, I was hooked. The story is so touching, and I found myself tearing up during the sad parts. I especially loved the scenes with Gena Rowlands; their bond felt so genuine. Seeing Paulie finally reunite with Marie at the end was just perfect. It’s a feel-good movie that I’ll definitely watch again and again. It made me miss my childhood parakeet.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families with children”
  • “Animal lovers”
  • “Fans of heartwarming stories”
  • “People who enjoy feel-good movies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief suggestive language”
  • “Moments of peril for the animal protagonist”
  • “Themes of loss and separation”

Professional Reviews

• Common Sense Media: “Paulie is a heartwarming tale of a talking parrot’s journey to find his beloved owner. It’s family-friendly with mild peril and some poignant moments, teaching kids about loyalty and friendship. While slightly predictable, it’s a pleasant watch for all ages.
• AllMovie: “This film is a charming and sentimental family film with strong performances, especially from Tony Shalhoub. While it occasionally veers into saccharine territory, its heartfelt story and impressive animatronics make it a worthwhile viewing experience.

Audience Reactions

The talking parrot’s sass and wit make the film hilarious and enjoyable.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s heartwarming story and emotional impact.

The special effects, especially the animatronics of Paulie, are surprisingly realistic and enhance the viewing experience.: Many appreciate the film’s themes of loyalty, friendship, and the importance of communication.

Overall Consensus: Paulie is a heartwarming family film with a charming story and strong performances, though some may find it predictable or overly sentimental. The realistic animatronics and witty dialogue make it a worthwhile watch for all ages.

Awards

1. BAFTA Children’s Award (Best Children’s Feature Film)- 1998

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Buddy Hackett auditioned to do the voice of Paulie but lost to Jay Mohr, who did an impression of Hackett. Buddy Hackett does appear in the film in a small role as Artie, the Pawn Broker, and during his scene Mohr also appears in person as Benny.”
• “The special effects of showing Paulie talking are superb.”
• “The movie was filmed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Downtown).”

🖥️ How to Watch Paulie?

Paulie is available for purchase or rental on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for possible broadcast options or streaming availability through subscription services.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Paulie, you might like these similar films:

• Babe (1995): Features a talking animal as the main character with a heartwarming story.
• Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993): Animals embark on a long journey to reunite with their owners, emphasizing loyalty and friendship.
• The Incredible Journey (1963): Classic animal adventure about pets finding their way back home.

🛒 Paulie Related Products

• Paulie [Blu-ray]: Own the timeless tale of Paulie on stunning Blu-ray. This edition boasts enhanced picture and sound quality, providing an immersive viewing experience for fans of all ages. A must-have for any collector of classic family films.
• Paulie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Relive the magic of Paulie with the official soundtrack. Featuring Randy Newman’s heartwarming score and other memorable songs from the film, this digital download is perfect for fans who want to immerse themselves in the film’s emotional atmosphere.
• Parrot Training Clicker Kit: Inspired by Paulie’s intelligence, this clicker training kit provides the tools to train your own bird. Includes a clicker, training guide, and various small parrot toys to provide a mental workout
• Paulie Movie Poster: Adorn your space with this limited-edition Paulie movie poster. A nostalgic piece for any fan, this poster captures the film’s heartwarming essence and serves as a beautiful reminder of Paulie’s journey.

🎧 Soundtrack

Paulie features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Marie” – performed by Randy Newman
• “Spanish Flea” – performed by Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Did she get the bird back 😭💔

Aww, my heart! Remember that scene where Paulie is separated from Marie? It’s so sad, but also so heartwarming. You HAVE to see this clip again, it really shows their bond!

You promised me that you would come back 😭

This scene always gets me! Paulie and Marie’s promise is so touching. Take a look, it’s a reminder of how powerful their friendship was!

✨ Rate