Paulie
Encyclopedia
Paulie is a 1998 family film
Family film
A family film is a film genre that is designed to appeal to a variety of age groups and, thus, families.In December 2005, Steven Spielberg's 1982 film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial came first in a poll of the 100 Greatest Family Films. The genre today generates billions of dollars per annum.Family...

 about a talking parrot named "Paulie". It was directed by John Roberts and written by Laurie Craig, and it was produced by Mark Gordon
Mark Gordon
Mark Gordon is an American television and film producer.- Background :Gordon was born in Newport News, Virginia on October 10, 1956...

, Gary Levinsohn
Gary Levinsohn
-Filmography:# Blue Ice # The Real McCoy # Twelve Monkeys # Angus ... aka Angus - Voll Cool # The Ripper...

, and Allyson Lyon Segan for Mutual Film Company and DreamWorks
DreamWorks
DreamWorks Pictures, also known as DreamWorks, LLC, DreamWorks SKG, DreamWorks II Distribution Co., LLC, DreamWorks Studios or DW Studios, LLC, is an American film studio which develops, produces, and distributes films, video games and television programming...

. It stars Jay Mohr
Jay Mohr
Jay Mohr is an American actor and stand up comedian. He is known for his role as Professor Rick Payne in the TV series Ghost Whisperer, the title role in the CBS sitcom Gary Unmarried, which ran from 2008 to 2010, and the back-stabbing sports agent Bob Sugar in Jerry Maguire.-Early life:Mohr was...

 as Paulie's voice and Tony Shalhoub
Tony Shalhoub
Anthony Marcus "Tony" Shalhoub is an American actor of Lebanese descent. His television work includes the roles of Antonio Scarpacci on Wings and sleuth Adrian Monk on the TV series Monk. He has won three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for his work in Monk...

 as a janitor who finds him imprisoned in a biological research laboratory, along with Gena Rowlands
Gena Rowlands
Gena Rowlands is an American actress of film, stage and television. The four-time Emmy and two-time Golden Globe winner is best known for her collaborations with her actor-director husband John Cassavetes in ten films, in two of which, Gloria and A Woman Under the Influence, she gave Academy...

, Cheech Marin
Cheech Marin
Richard Anthony "Cheech" Marin is an American comedian, actor and writer who gained recognition as part of the comedy act Cheech & Chong during the 1970s and early 1980s, and as Don Johnson's partner, Insp. Joe Dominguez on Nash Bridges...

, Bruce Davison
Bruce Davison
Bruce Davison is an American actor and director.-Early life:Davison was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Marian E. , a secretary, and Clair W. Davison, a musician, architect, and draftsman for the Army Engineers. His parents divorced when he was three years old. He was raised by his...

, and Trini Alvarado
Trini Alvarado
Trinidad "Trini" Alvarado is an American actress best known for her performances as Margaret "Meg" March in the 1994 film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's novel Little Women and Lucy Lynskey in the comedy/horror film The Frighteners...

. It also features Buddy Hackett
Buddy Hackett
Buddy Hackett was an American comedian and actor.-Early life:Hackett was born in Brooklyn, New York, New York, the son of a Jewish upholsterer. He grew up on 54th and 14th Ave in Borough Park, Brooklyn, across from Public School 103...

 in his final film role, and Mohr also plays a minor on-screen character.

The film was released on VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....

 in 1998 by DreamWorks Home Entertainment.

Plot

Misha Belenkoff (Tony Shalhoub
Tony Shalhoub
Anthony Marcus "Tony" Shalhoub is an American actor of Lebanese descent. His television work includes the roles of Antonio Scarpacci on Wings and sleuth Adrian Monk on the TV series Monk. He has won three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for his work in Monk...

), a Russian immigrant and former literature teacher, is living in America and working as a janitor at an animal testing lab in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

. There he encounters Paulie, a blue-crowned conure
Blue-crowned Parakeet
The Blue-crowned Parakeet, Blue-crowned Conure, or Sharp-tailed Conure is a parakeet native to large parts of South America, from eastern Colombia in the north to northern Argentina in the south...

, who astonishingly speaks to him in perfect English. Paulie, however, does not talk when Belenkoff brings witnesses.

Misha persuades Paulie to tell his story with pieces of mango
Mango
The mango is a fleshy stone fruit belonging to the genus Mangifera, consisting of numerous tropical fruiting trees in the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae. The mango is native to India from where it spread all over the world. It is also the most cultivated fruit of the tropical world. While...

. Paulie tells Belenkoff about his real owner, a little girl named Marie Alweather (Hallie Kate Eisenberg
Hallie Kate Eisenberg
-Early life:Eisenberg was born in East Brunswick Township, New Jersey, the daughter of Amy, who worked as a clown at children's parties, and Barry Eisenberg, who ran a hospital and later became a college professor. She has two siblings, actor Jesse Eisenberg, star of The Social Network, and Kerri...

), and how he was given to her by her grandfather. Marie has a speech problem for she stutters, but is delighted when playing with Paulie. Marie's father, Warren (Matt Craven
Matt Craven
-Life and career:Craven was born Matthew John Crnkovich in Port Colborne, Ontario, the son of Joanne Leslie, a hairdresser, and Nick Crnkovich. He has an older sister, Deborah...

), is a soldier and away from home, while her mother, Lila (Laura Harrington
Laura Harrington
Laura Harrington is an American actress.Harrington is perhaps best known for her role as the main character's sister in the 1993 film What's Eating Gilbert Grape. Her character was aged around 20 though the actress herself was 35 at the time...

), is at home. Marie is an only child. Eventually, Warren does return home. He is happy to see Marie for the first time in a long time, but is startled to see her stutter. When Warren and Lila send her to speech therapy, Marie successfully overcomes her stutter because of Paulie, who learns speech during the therapy. However, Paulie only speaks around Marie. As the months pass, Marie makes no friends and Warren grows concerned about this. He is also concerned that Marie may be spending too much time with Paulie, and not socializing with other children her age. That night, Marie takes Paulie to her house's roof and attempts to teach him to fly in case they separate. Unfortunately, she falls off the roof. After this tramautic event, Warren sends Paulie away.

Paulie is passed from one owner to another, eventually ending up in a pawn shop, where he spends his time insulting the customers—including one named Benny (Jay Mohr)—and the pawnbroker, Artie (Buddy Hackett
Buddy Hackett
Buddy Hackett was an American comedian and actor.-Early life:Hackett was born in Brooklyn, New York, New York, the son of a Jewish upholsterer. He grew up on 54th and 14th Ave in Borough Park, Brooklyn, across from Public School 103...

), until he is purchased by a widowed artist named Ivy (Gena Rowlands
Gena Rowlands
Gena Rowlands is an American actress of film, stage and television. The four-time Emmy and two-time Golden Globe winner is best known for her collaborations with her actor-director husband John Cassavetes in ten films, in two of which, Gloria and A Woman Under the Influence, she gave Academy...

). She befriends him and agrees to take him to find Marie, who has moved across the country to Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...

. Their mission comes to a premature end as Ivy loses her eyesight. Paulie remains as Ivy's eyes until the day of her death. Afterward he finally learns to fly and continues his journey alone.

In East Los Angeles, Paulie joins a group of performing conures owned by Ignacio (Cheech Marin
Cheech Marin
Richard Anthony "Cheech" Marin is an American comedian, actor and writer who gained recognition as part of the comedy act Cheech & Chong during the 1970s and early 1980s, and as Don Johnson's partner, Insp. Joe Dominguez on Nash Bridges...

) but is kidnapped by Benny (Mohr), who recognized Paulie from the pawn shop, and begins a life of crime. In a botched jewel theft, Paulie flies down through the chimney of a house but is trapped inside and abandoned.

Paulie is then brought to the institute, his current home, where employees and scientists there are stunned by his intelligence. They put Paulie through tests and promise that he will be reunited with Marie. When Paulie discovers that the institute has lied to him, he refuses to cooperate with any more tests. Paulie's wings are clipped, and he is imprisoned in the basement, forgotten.

Moved by Paulie's story, Misha decides to give up his menial job to release Paulie and take him to Marie. After escaping from the Institute, they find Marie, who is now fully grown and a beautiful young woman (Trini Alvarado
Trini Alvarado
Trinidad "Trini" Alvarado is an American actress best known for her performances as Margaret "Meg" March in the 1994 film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's novel Little Women and Lucy Lynskey in the comedy/horror film The Frighteners...

), but who is unrecognizable to Paulie. After a moment of confusion, they are then reunited. Marie invites Misha into her house but Misha says he should go and that she and Paulie must have lots to talk about. Paulie then joins in, saying that he should stay, but Misha still tries to go. Paulie then points out that Marie had "flowers in her hair" and probably had "books on the table", a reference to what Misha said would be his dream girl earlier in the film, Marie says that she would like it a lot if Misha could come inside, and Misha admits that he would also like to come inside. The three go inside and the credits begin to roll.

Cast

  • Gena Rowlands
    Gena Rowlands
    Gena Rowlands is an American actress of film, stage and television. The four-time Emmy and two-time Golden Globe winner is best known for her collaborations with her actor-director husband John Cassavetes in ten films, in two of which, Gloria and A Woman Under the Influence, she gave Academy...

     as Ivy, a widowed artist
  • Tony Shalhoub
    Tony Shalhoub
    Anthony Marcus "Tony" Shalhoub is an American actor of Lebanese descent. His television work includes the roles of Antonio Scarpacci on Wings and sleuth Adrian Monk on the TV series Monk. He has won three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for his work in Monk...

     as Misha, a recent US immigrant from East Europe
  • Cheech Marin
    Cheech Marin
    Richard Anthony "Cheech" Marin is an American comedian, actor and writer who gained recognition as part of the comedy act Cheech & Chong during the 1970s and early 1980s, and as Don Johnson's partner, Insp. Joe Dominguez on Nash Bridges...

     as Ignacio, an entertainer
  • Bruce Davison
    Bruce Davison
    Bruce Davison is an American actor and director.-Early life:Davison was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Marian E. , a secretary, and Clair W. Davison, a musician, architect, and draftsman for the Army Engineers. His parents divorced when he was three years old. He was raised by his...

     as Dr. Reingold, a biological research scientist
  • Trini Alvarado
    Trini Alvarado
    Trinidad "Trini" Alvarado is an American actress best known for her performances as Margaret "Meg" March in the 1994 film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's novel Little Women and Lucy Lynskey in the comedy/horror film The Frighteners...

     as Adult Marie
  • Jay Mohr
    Jay Mohr
    Jay Mohr is an American actor and stand up comedian. He is known for his role as Professor Rick Payne in the TV series Ghost Whisperer, the title role in the CBS sitcom Gary Unmarried, which ran from 2008 to 2010, and the back-stabbing sports agent Bob Sugar in Jerry Maguire.-Early life:Mohr was...

     as the voice of Paulie and Benny.
  • Buddy Hackett
    Buddy Hackett
    Buddy Hackett was an American comedian and actor.-Early life:Hackett was born in Brooklyn, New York, New York, the son of a Jewish upholsterer. He grew up on 54th and 14th Ave in Borough Park, Brooklyn, across from Public School 103...

     as Artie, owner of a pawn shop
  • Hallie Kate Eisenberg
    Hallie Kate Eisenberg
    -Early life:Eisenberg was born in East Brunswick Township, New Jersey, the daughter of Amy, who worked as a clown at children's parties, and Barry Eisenberg, who ran a hospital and later became a college professor. She has two siblings, actor Jesse Eisenberg, star of The Social Network, and Kerri...

     as Marie, a young girl with a stutter
  • Matt Craven
    Matt Craven
    -Life and career:Craven was born Matthew John Crnkovich in Port Colborne, Ontario, the son of Joanne Leslie, a hairdresser, and Nick Crnkovich. He has an older sister, Deborah...

     as Warren
  • Bill Cobbs
    Bill Cobbs
    Wilbert "Bill" Cobbs is an American film and television actor. He has starred in over 120 television programs and movies.-Life and career:...

     as Virgil
  • Tia Texada
    Tia Texada
    Tia Texada is an American actress and singer. She is probably best known for portraying the role of Sgt. Maritza Cruz from the American television show Third Watch and for her role as Shay on ABC Family's Huge.Texada was born in Louisiana to a reflexologist mother and an insurance agent father...

     as Ruby, and the voice of Lupe
  • Laura Harrington
    Laura Harrington
    Laura Harrington is an American actress.Harrington is perhaps best known for her role as the main character's sister in the 1993 film What's Eating Gilbert Grape. Her character was aged around 20 though the actress herself was 35 at the time...

     as Lila

Production

The film's production budget was 23 million US dollars.Buddy Hackett auditioned to do the voice of Paulie, but lost to Jay Mohr who did an impression of Hackett. This was Hackett's last theatrical appearance. British filmmaker John Roberts who prior to Paulie directed War of the Buttons
War of the Buttons (1994 film)
War of the Buttons is a 1994 Irish film directed by John Roberts, about two rival kid gangs in Ireland, the Ballys , and the Carricks...

served as the director.

Reception

The film was well received. As of April 11, 2009, the movie has scored a 63% or 6.1/10 rating at Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...

.

It was distributed in 24 countries and 10 different languages between 1998 and 1999.

Paulie grossed $5,369,800 on its opening weekend, and $26,875,268 USD altogether. It was released in 1,812 theaters.

Awards And Nominations

Award Category Result
ALMA
Alma Award
The American Latino Media Arts Award, or ALMA Award is a distinction awarded to Latino performers who promote positive portrayals of Latinos in the entertainment field...

 Award
Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film - Cheech Marin Nomination
ALMA Award Outstanding Actress in a Feature Film - Trini Alvarado Nomination
BAFTA Children's Award Best Children's Feature Film Won
Bronze Gryphon Early Screens - John Roberts Won
Young Artist Award
Young Artist Award
The Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist...

Best family feature - Comedy Nomination
Young Artist Award Best performance in a feature film - Young Actress aged ten or under - Hallie Kate Eisenberg Nomination
Young Artist Award Best performance by a young actress in a comedy film - Hallie Kate Eisenberg Nomination
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