Product Details

• Actors: Gena Rowlands, Tony Shalhoub, Cheech Marin, Bruce Davison, Trini Alvarado
• Directors: John Roberts
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Surround Sound
• Language: English
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: DreamWorks Home Entertainment
• VHS Release Date: November 2, 1999
• Run Time: 92 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00001IVFU
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #18,325 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The human beings are almost as interesting as the title character in this surprisingly subtle and engaging film about the cross-country adventures of a smart-mouthed parrot. As director John Roberts deploys the footage, the bird becomes a vivid personality; every quizzical twist of his head is oddly expressive. The people who interact with Paulie are a quirky and interesting bunch as well, and the casting is topnotch: Tony Shalhoub (The Siege) as a Russian immigrant janitor, Cheech Marin as an open-hearted mariachi musician, and Gena Rowlands as a widowed painter in a footloose Winnebago--all are vividly eccentric individuals, memorable in their own right. There are some tired swipes at the cold-blooded meanies of Big Science (beady-eyed researcher Bruce Davison has Paulie clapped in irons), but for the most part the film respects the complexity of everyone's motivations, and that's virtually unheard of in today's Hollywood, even in films supposedly designed for grownups. --David Chute

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars lets hear it for the boy, August 4, 2003

By	David G. Smith (Fairfax, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Paulie (DVD)

I sat at my computer as my son watched Paulie, which I thought was going to be a silly.; stupid movie(ie amazon has it paired up with mouse hunt as a combo deal) . At first it did seem like a typical goofy talking animal thing...but at some oint I found myself glued to the piece...this is a movie that can be kind of dumb, but also dares to be smart, sensitive entertainment. There are great contributions throughout, funny lines, and a sentimental moment or two. The tone of the movie is much more reverant and lovely than I thought it would be.
Again, if it wasn't for my son, these movies would never exist is my psyche....this is a nice little movie...let's hear it for nice.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SHEER, SHEER DELIGHT!!!, March 10, 2007

By	Elaine Campbell (Rancho Mirage, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Paulie (DVD)

I am an adult. No children. Not a fan of animated films (didn't much like "Babe"). That said, this film completely captivated me and even left me believing in the enduring power of love and the great importance of it in our topsy-turvy world.

Bought it on a fluke after reading a few reviews while surfing [...]. Didn't expect much. Got everything.

I highly recommend it, both for adults and children (what a perfect film for a family to watch together), and here's why.

Oh, where to start. I would start with the fact that the most perfect voice was chosen to be our talking, and very smart, albeit sad, Paulie. Actor Jay Morh (the voice) also plays a role in the film very well indeed. His voice as a human is completely different than that of Paulie's, which shows this actor's talented skill.

Now what else do we have. A script which is entirely unpredictable. There is nothing trite, no cliches, the screenwriting (by Laurie Craig) is at its best, original and highly creative.

The story, well, it flows along, happy at times and sometimes sad. Sometimes very, very happy, and sometimes very, very sad. But the outcome is one of the most beautiful and sensitive scenes I have ever seen in any film.

The acting: one of the country's most sterling actresses, Gena Rowlands, excels in her role as an eccentric, impulsive, loving and honest woman who befriends Paulie to the max. I believe the other great performance in the film was given by Tony Shalhoub, who has gone on to such great success since the making of this film. On watching "Paulie," one can easily see why. His performance is sensitive and touching, honest and just plain admirable.

Also, great commendations to the film's director, John Roberts, for finding the truth within himself to direct a story with such integrity.

And let's not forget the 14 conures, all who play Paulie with such poignant believability, or the dancing ensemble of conures who perform a musical routine (even in costume) as well as humans could do it.

Have a good time with this one, no matter how old you are. It's actually insprirational, although it hits the highest mark in all areas!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Truly Delightful Surprise, January 4, 2004

By	"littleghost" (Los Angeles, California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paulie (DVD)

This wonderful little movie is a truly delightful surprise. Paulie's experiences with love, loss, and courage brought me to tears several times during the movie. Paulie's vulnerability will tug at the heart-strings of animal lovers. And, as in "Fly Away Home" and "Winged Migration," the scenes of Paulie in glorious flight are beautiful and moving.