Paulie (1998)

Last updated:
August 13, 2025

Paulie is a heartwarming 1998 family film directed by John Roberts that combines comedy, drama, and adventure into a tale about friendship, perseverance, and the enduring bond between humans and animals.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Introduction: Meet Paulie

The story begins in a research facility where Misha, a Russian immigrant working as a janitor, discovers a parrot named Paulie who can talk—fluently and sarcastically. Paulie begins to tell Misha his life story, and from here the movie unfolds in flashbacks.

Paulie’s Early Life with Marie

As a baby parrot, Paulie is bought for a young girl named Marie who struggles with a stutter. Paulie helps her overcome her speech difficulties, but Marie’s overprotective father disapproves of her attachment to the bird. One day, after Paulie encourages Marie to ride her bike, she falls, and her father blames him. Marie is devastated when Paulie is sent away.

A Long Journey Across America

Paulie’s quest to reunite with Marie takes him through a series of owners and adventures:

He ends up with Ivy, a widowed woman who teaches him about resilience.
He travels with a hustler who uses his talking ability for quick money.
He meets Ignacio, a street performer who introduces him to a different side of life.
Each encounter shapes Paulie’s view of humans—some kind, some selfish.

Captivity at the Research Facility

Paulie’s journey ultimately leads him to the research facility where he meets Dr. Reingold, a scientist studying animal communication. Reingold’s methods are less about friendship and more about control, which leaves Paulie feeling trapped and hopeless.

Movie Ending

In the final scenes, Misha, having listened to Paulie’s entire story, decides to help him escape the research facility. They make a daring nighttime getaway, and Misha drives Paulie across the country in search of Marie. When they finally find her, she’s now an adult, played by Hallie Kate Eisenberg as a child and later by another actress as an adult.

The reunion is tender and emotional: Marie recognizes Paulie instantly despite the years apart. Paulie tells her that he never gave up on finding her. Marie, who had always believed Paulie was gone forever, is overwhelmed with joy. Misha quietly leaves them together, understanding their bond is something special and private. The final shot shows Marie holding Paulie, reaffirming that love and loyalty can span decades and distances.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No. Paulie does not have any mid-credits or post-credits scenes. The story concludes fully before the credits roll.

Type of Movie

A family adventure dramedy with elements of a road movie, Paulie blends talking-animal comedy with heartfelt emotional beats.

Cast

Gena Rowlands as Ivy
Tony Shalhoub as Misha
Jay Mohr as the voice of Paulie / Benny
Cheech Marin as Ignacio
Bruce Davison as Dr. Reingold
Hallie Kate Eisenberg as Young Marie
Matt Craven as Marie’s Father

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by John Debney, whose music mixes lighthearted, whimsical cues for comedic moments with tender, orchestral arrangements for emotional scenes.

Filming Locations

Paulie was primarily filmed in California, with various settings created to depict Paulie’s cross-country journey. The diverse locations—from suburban neighborhoods to bustling city streets—emphasize the vastness of his adventure and his determination to find Marie.

Awards and Nominations

While Paulie did not win major awards, it earned praise for its puppetry and animal training, as well as for Jay Mohr’s engaging voice performance.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Multiple parrots played Paulie, each trained for specific actions.
Jay Mohr recorded his voice performance after most of the live-action scenes were shot, matching the bird’s beak movements.
The film used animatronic models for scenes where Paulie needed to display human-like expressions.
Gena Rowlands reportedly developed a genuine fondness for the parrots during filming.

Inspirations and References

The movie is an original story but draws inspiration from classic animal-adventure tales like Lassie Come Home and Benji, focusing on loyalty and reunion.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

While no alternate ending is publicly confirmed, some deleted scenes reportedly showed Paulie’s life at the research facility in more detail, adding to the darker tone before Misha’s rescue.

Book Adaptations and Differences

A junior novelization of Paulie was released for children, closely following the film’s plot but simplifying certain sequences and dialogue for younger readers.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Marie and Paulie practicing speech together.
Paulie and Ivy sharing a heartfelt goodbye.
Paulie performing in a street act with Ignacio.
The tearful reunion between Paulie and adult Marie.

Iconic Quotes

Paulie: “You can’t fly unless you try.”
Ivy: “You’re more than just a parrot—you’re a friend.”
Paulie: “Home isn’t a place, it’s someone.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Paulie’s cage number in the lab matches the number on Marie’s childhood home mailbox, symbolizing their connection.
In one scene, a newspaper headline in the background references a fictional bird migration pattern—an inside joke from the animal trainers.

Trivia

The animatronic Paulie was created by the same effects team that worked on Babe.
Hallie Kate Eisenberg was only six years old during filming.
Tony Shalhoub was cast partly because of his warm, calming voice to contrast Paulie’s sharp wit.

Why Watch?

Because it’s one of the rare family films that manages to be genuinely touching without being overly sentimental. It’s witty, heartfelt, and perfect for anyone who loves stories about loyalty and adventure.

Paulie (1998)