Birdy (1984)

Adapted from the William Wharton novel of the same name, Birdy (1984) tells the tale of two teenagers, Birdy and Al (Matthew Modine and Nicholas Cage), who, despite their drastic differences in personalities, become high school pals that pack off and fight in the Vietnam War. After completing their tour of duty, the duo can’t escape the wounds of war. Al sustains physical injuries to his face that require surgery, while Birdy is emotionally scarred and becomes a mute and a mental patient after turning up MIA for a month. As Birdy sits comatose in the asylum, thinking he’s a bird, Al comes to his buddy’s bedside to help save his sanity, while trying to hold on to his own. During his time in the mental ward, Modine often removes his pajamas and perches like a bird on the footboard of his bed. We don’t get a peek at his beak, but there are a few views of Modine’s lean tail feather. Going cuckoo has never been this fulfilling.