The film moves back and forth through Parker’s history, blending moments to find some truth to his life. Much of the movie revolves around his only grounding relationships with wife Chan Parker, Bebop pioneer trumpet player and band leader Dizzy Gillespie, and his influence (both musically and into the world of heroin addiction) on trumpet player Red Rodney.
Bird received positive reviews. Forest Whitaker’s performance as Parker earned him critical acclaim and several awards, including the Best Actor award at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival and a Golden Globe nomination. In addition, the film also won the prestigious Grand Prix of the Belgian Film Critics Association and the Academy Award for Best Sound.
The film has however been criticized for its use of composite characters, its absence of any depiction of Charlie Parker’s first three wives (all of whom, unlike Chan, were African-American), and for the way it over-emphasizes his friendship and working relationship with Red Rodney (white) at the expense of Miles Davis (who is only mentioned in passing).
BIRD (1988)
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The troubled life and career of the jazz musician, Charlie “Bird” Parker.American biographical film, produced and directed by Clint Eastwood of a screenplay written by Joel Oliansky. The film is a tribute to the life and music of jazz saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker. It is constructed as a montage of scenes from Parker’s life, from his childhood in Kansas City, through his early death at the age of 34.
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