You can appreciate the commercial factors that hyped up Alan Parker's movie about a youth (Modine) who becomes obsessed by birds (the feathered variety) and the idea that he has to fly.

This doesn't look too possible, especially as he's kept in isolated and silent condition in an army hospital, after his experiences in Vietnam. It's well acted, especially by Nicolas Cage as Birdy's buddy, a sensitive performance worthy of an Oscar nomination (which it didn't get).

But the story simply hasn't the dramatic strength to sustain its slim theme towards its impending, yet ever-elusive (anti) climax. Parker directs with attention to the more exploitable aspects around the film's perimeters and the bird scenes are amazing, particularly those involving a talented canary.