Paulie, le perroquet qui parlait trop

This was the best family movie - that wasn't animated - that I've seen in a long time. The story was endearing - a young girl with a speech problem receives a parrot for a pet. The bird helps Marie, the young girl, to overcome her speech problem but helps her into a bit of trouble too. Marie's father thinks it would be best if the girl was parted from her pet. Immediately after their separation Paulie is on a quest to be reunited with his Marie. He touches the lives of so many people along the way and touched my life as I watched the story unfold. Great acting and great story line. It's a definite "see it more than once" film.

You're thinking something along the lines of "a schmaltzy movie about a talking parrot. Puh-leeeeeez!" I had somewhat the same reaction when I came across this on cable. Then I looked at the cast and said to myself, gee, how bad can a script be when Gena Rowlands and Tony Shaloub sign on? And my gosh, there's Buddy Hacket, in his last full length studio movie. To cut to the chase, this is the kind of movie the Disney Studios used to make; a charming, witty, sentimental movie with appeal for the whole family, and a few life lessons thrown in for good measure. I was totally enchanted (and I'm 72!) and the movie made me forget my cynicism. Is it a "feel good" movie? For sure. And can't we do with a few more feel-good movies, as opposed to movies that, after seeing them, you either feel like taking a shower or hanging yourself (or both, in that order)?

Paulie is a "feel good" film about the life of an amazing parrot and the lives he touches. He starts out as the friend of a young girl, then lives with a dying woman, an Hispanic performer and a con man. He finally winds up as the subject of experiments at a laboratory, where he is befriended by an introverted Russian immigrant, played by the wonderful Tony Shalhoub. I won't give away the end of the film, but it'll bring tears to your eyes. You won't believe you are crying about a parrot! A nice little movie that'll make you laugh and cry and give you a feeling of hope!

I'm no fan of newer movies, but this one was a real pleasure to watch. Adults and children could watch it together - how unusual! My aunt liked it, too. 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. Highly recommended.

I gladly admit it, I own a copy of this movie. My 3 year old daughter and I watch it frequently. We also enjoy the "Marie" Pepsi commercials, as a result of this movie. But I almost didn't buy it, because I was afraid it would break my heart. 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. And I laughed so hard through my tears that I couldn't remember if I was laughing or crying. I found myself singing along with the birds at the taco stand, and I knew I had to see it again. And again. So I bought the movie, and got my little girl hooked. Sure, I still cry at some of the really sad parts, but I laugh more than ever, and I'm brushing up my Spanish at the same time! If you've ever loved an animal or a child, see this movie.