Review of Paulie

Introduction

Paulie is a parrot. And not just any parrot; Paulie is intelligent and can talk. He’s also got a bit of a smart mouth and a penchant for getting himself into trouble.

He belongs to Marie, a young girl with speech problems and two parents who don’t cope well with her problems. During her therapy, Paulie begins to speak to her and help her through her difficulties. However, an unfortunate accident (while trying to help Paulie to fly) results in Paulie being shipped off to a shop in New York City.

He resolves to make his way back to Marie, helped, and sometimes hindered, by the various humans that he comes into contact with.

The story is told in flashback with Paulie sitting in a cage in the basement of a University talking to Misha a Russian immigrant who is also lonely, also longing for a girl – a love – that he lost years ago. In fact, these two are kindred spirits and quickly forge a strong bond. When Misha realises that he knows where Marie is, nothing will stop him from reuniting Paulie and Marie.

Video

Paulie is given a high quality anamorphic transfer with nothing to criticise and much to admire. The visuals are crisp and clear with colours richly defined, especially the beautiful plumage of (the many parrots who were pressed into service playing) Paulie.

The movie is nicely shot with some splendid scenes of Paulie in flight and an especially fine sunset-in-the-desert scene.

Audio

The soundtrack is a DD 5.1 presentation and, like the video, is impossible fault. Dialogue is well presented and good use is made of all channels with some nice spot effects and the usual rain, wind, etc. The animal sounds in the research lab is well done too.

The score is unexceptional but miles better than his turgid work on Komodo; a bit over sentimental but it does the job. The songs are nicely chosen and any movie that has a parrot singing “What’s New Pussycat” is alright by me.

Features

Other than the trailer – nothing.

Conclusion

Paulie is one of the Dreamworks family films that seems intent in going head to head with Disney’s best. While it has the expected high production values, it isn’t a great film (family or otherwise). That said, it isn’t bad at all. And that surprised me. Looking at the box and the trailer, I was expecting the usual kid’s crap (no offence, kids) but it has substantial charm and a fairly decent storyline.

The main draw for kids will be the funny talking animal – Paulie the parrot. Sure, parrots can talk but only Paulie can communicate, make jokes and burp at will. And, as a technological feat, Paulie is impressive with the seamless melding of real parrots and animatronics. However, unlike say the pig in Babe, a parrot just doesn’t have the same cute factor and thus may not be quite so appealing to the younger audience. It is still well done, though, and voiced by Jay Mohr has considerable wit and charm.

Although the film seems to be primarily about Paulie journey to be reunited with his owner, young Marie, it is really an anthology film, with each human Paulie meets having his or her own story to tell. There is Ivy (played by the superb and lovely) Gena Rowlands who has lost her husband and is losing her sight but is trying to live life to the full. Then there is Ignacio (Cheech Marin) the owner of a taco stall and a troupe of performing parrots. And, of course, there is Misha (Tony Shalhoub), the kindly Russian immigrant who befriends Paulie when he is caged in the laboratory. Although they are, of necessity, very short, these vignettes are all rather sweet with the Ivy sequence particularly touching (“and one day, the cat took her away”).

The cast is excellent and give their all to what is quite a slight piece. Tony Shalhoub brings dignity and pathos to his role and his use of body language with the bird is remarkably good. Also, worthy of note is Gena Rowlands bringing a vibrancy and charm to her role as Ivy. In general, Brit director John Roberts (War of the Buttons) makes the very most of the cast and creates a very appealing palette of characters.

Some of the scenes and treatments are surprisingly mature (as in sophisticated). The treatment of Marie’s speech difficulties and her subtly abusive parents is adept. Similarly, the unquenchable optimism of Misha, the Russian teacher of literature who came to American only to find himself sweeping floors in a University.

Sure, it may be a bit simplistic but overall it is a genuinely nice film with a lot of charm, a little wit, some sophistication, good music and a talking animal. Something for all the family really.

Worth watching.