110 Minutes
Directed By: John Badham
Written By: Louis Venosta and Eric Lerner
Staring: Mel Gibson, Goldie Hawn, David Carradine, Bill Duke, Stephen Tobolowsky, and Joan Severance
Yeah – Mr. Wiggly’s been on bread and water for 5 years. -Rick
Synopsis
A FBI informant has kept his new identity secret for 15 years, now an old flame has recognised him and the bad guys are back for revenge.
Review
In 1990 there couldn’t have been two hotter actors to team up for this romantic-comedy splendorous in action. Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn both got to really showcase their talents in this film that contained the worlds longest chase. With non-stop action, hilarious romantic interludes, and a plot that doesn’t overdo itself Bird On A Wire is one of my favorite movies to re-watch.
It’s gotten pretty beat up over the years by most critics, but I just don’t see why. Sure there are some holes in the plot, but it is pretty sound and actually gives the characters just motivations for where the plot creates their setting. The universe created by the writers and director John Badham is certainly unrealistic, but this is a fiction movie that gave sufficient cause for the events that transpire afterward, thereby making the universe acceptable, even though not real. It’s the same concept with Speed. After scene one we use suspension of disbelief. That being said the rest of the movie is nothing but pure fun.
The action hardly stops and when it does it opens the mood for candid moments between Mel and Goldie, or comical banter between the two. With two different actors I agree this movie may not have been as successful, but these two pull off any wacky moments in spades and sell the scenes. Their commitment to the story and their characters with their electric chemistry makes everything believable and fun!
This movie is infectious, sexy, playful, and adventurous. Others have a right to their opinions, but this is one of my favorites, and probably one of my most watched movies of all time. I’ve easily seen this one hundred times, and it’s just as fun and entertaining each time around. Mel and Goldie are in their element. Bird On A Wire almost felt as though it was made just for them. Even when it doesn’t make all the sense in the world it’s still a good movie. I heart this one.
Help……years ago I saw a movie with a scene where a man and women were on a boat (below deck) and the man was frustrated and said, “that’s the last straw”. Then he opened the door to the upper deck and water came pooring in and he said, “another goddamn straw.” I thought it was so hilarious and I frequently say “another goddamn straw” when I’m frustrated. Well, now I can’t remember what movie it was and I really want to see it again. I thought the actress was Shelley Long, so I suffered through watching Outragious Fortune and other movies she’s in. Then I thought maybe it was Kathleen Turner so I re-watched Romancing the Stone and Jewel of the Nile. Now I’m thinking maybe it was Goldie Hawn, so perhaps it was a scene from Bird on a Wire. Can you confirm? (PS: It’s not that I don’t know the difference between these blond actresses, its just that my memory is bad, and I can’t think for the life of me who the actor was that said those lines.) I would love to see it again. I hope someone can help point me in the right direction! Thank you!!
It wasn’t Bird On A Wire, I know this for sure. I hate the feeling you have, especially when it’s been stuck with you for years. I’m going to investigate and really think this one over. I hope I can help Renee! If you find it before I do, be sure to update me and let me know!
-Heather