Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Breakneck
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- witty
- frantic
- playful
- lazy saturday
- action comedy night
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as a generic, overproduced action-romance whose energetic set pieces and star charisma could not overcome its thin script.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Rick's former fiancée recognizes him after fifteen years, and their reunion becomes an extended flight from corrupt agents.
Rick's FBI minder is replaced by a corrupt agent who assists the criminals hunting him.
The plot repeatedly sends Rick and Marianne through frantic pursuits, including motorcycle, helicopter, and zoo sequences.
Rick and Marianne revisit their former haunts while confronting the unresolved relationship created by his disappearance.
Films like Bird on a Wire, and why
Midnight Run
shared on-the-run road movie structure, romantic tension, action comedy, and mismatched-couple chemistry
The Chase
shared chase-driven romantic comedy format, playful banter, and escalating pursuit across changing locations
Romancing the Stone
shared fish out of water romance, comic peril, and star-led adventure comedy
Movie Details
- Director
- John Badham
- Release Date
- 1990-05-18
- Runtime
- 110 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (1078)
Cast
- Mel Gibson
- Goldie Hawn
- David Carradine
- Bill Duke
- Stephen Tobolowsky
- Joan Severance
- Harry Caesar
- Jeff Corey
- Alex Bruhanski
- John Pyper-Ferguson
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Bird on a Wire about?
- A fugitive living under FBI protection is forced to reunite with his former fiancée while corrupt agents pursue them across America.
- What is Bird on a Wire like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Bird on a Wire as breakneck, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Bird on a Wire violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Bird on a Wire as moderate.
- What did critics think of Bird on a Wire?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as a generic, overproduced action-romance whose energetic set pieces and star charisma could not overcome its thin script.
- Which films are like Bird on a Wire?
- Films with a similar feel include Midnight Run, The Chase, and Romancing the Stone.
- How long is Bird on a Wire?
- Bird on a Wire runs 110 minutes.
- Where can I watch Bird on a Wire?
- In United States, Bird on a Wire streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
