Monday Morning Maybe

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Poster for Bird

Bird

Seen it?

1988 | 161 min | Drama, Music

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (78% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office loss. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Rocketman or Ray, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Unhurried and epic, at 2 hr 41 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated R: expect drug use.
  • It's long: 2 hr 41 min.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Saxophone player Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker comes to New York in 1940 and is quickly noticed for his remarkable way of playing. He becomes a drug addict but his loving wife Chan tries to help him.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    78% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.8 out of 10

  • AwardsSolid

    Won 1 Oscar: Best Sound.

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $2 million worldwide on a $9 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 65K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Clint Eastwood

  • Forest WhitakerCharlie 'Bird' Parker
  • Diane VenoraChan Parker
  • Michael ZelnikerRed Rodney
  • Samuel E. WrightDizzy Gillespie
  • Keith DavidBuster Franklin
  • Michael McGuireBrewster
  • James HandyEsteves
  • Damon WhitakerYoung Bird
  • Morgan NaglerKim
  • Arlen Dean SnyderDr. Heath