I couldn't necessarily find a "flaw" with the movie, yet overall, I don't think I could watch it again, because it wasn't entertaining enough. There was a dark cloud looming over the thing. If only it had a lighter atmosphere. . . .
shareYou'll probably never see this, but I watched it tonight and found the bird's voice so off-putting. I don't think the film was too somber, but I don't think it was charming, either. An animal film doesn't have to be "Babe" and sugary sweet in order to be charming, but "Paulie" seemed to go to the opposite extreme.
Too bad, because the bird was adorable. Tony Shalhoub was great as always. It was that voice and the cockiness that ruined it for me.
I agree with you hilaryjrp, a little charm in the voice would have been a worthwhile improvement. The lack didn't ruin the film for me, but it could have been better. The voice we hear appears to have arisen semi-accidentally from Buddy Hackett being in the cast in another role. One Buddy Hackett is fine, but it's probably enough, really.
"I beseech ye in the bowels of Christ, think that ye may be mistaken."
I can tell you I watched this once as a kid, and I was devastated. I couldn't handle the parents taking Paulie away from his companion, and the scene where they cut his wings while he fought for them to stop. I cried the whole movie, and vowed never to watch it again lol. It just saddened me how there are people out there that find animals to be disposable and replaceable. I still feel the same way. That bird went through hell at the hands of humans. But then again, even humans go through hell at the hands of humans. In this case, the bird just didn't have as much power.
So, I definitely agree this movie is somber. I wouldn't want to watch it again, either. To many sad things happen to get to a happy ending. But at least he was able to get that, if anything.
•¤ What can the damned really say to the damned? ¤•