Birdy is a 1984 drama film based on William Wharton's novel of the same name. Directed by Alan Parker, the movie stars Nicolas Cage and Matthew Modine in lead roles.
The story revolves around two best friends, Al (Cage) and Birdy (Modine), who are both deeply affected by their experiences in the Vietnam war. While Al is physically wounded, Birdy suffers from severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and believes he is a bird.
After being discharged from the army, Al goes to visit Birdy, who is confined to a mental hospital. The rest of the film is essentially a series of flashbacks, as Al slowly uncovers the events that led to Birdy's current state. As he spends more time with his friend, Al tries to help Birdy regain his sanity and reconnect with the world around him.
Throughout the movie, we see Birdy's fascination with birds - he spends hours observing them, imitating their movements and even building his own bird-like contraptions. Al tries to use this obsession to help Birdy, but it's not easy - his friend is lost in his own world, both physically and mentally.
Despite the heavy subject matter, Birdy also has many lighter moments. The relationship between Al and Birdy is one of the highlights of the film - they are clearly very close, and their interactions are both funny and touching.
While the film ends on a somewhat ambiguous note, it's clear that Al's presence has had a positive effect on Birdy. By telling their story, Birdy explores themes of trauma, friendship, and the power of human connection.