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Mel Gibson in witness protection vs. Goldie Hawn's chaotic energy and also piranhas somehow?
Box Office Hit
TMDB
62
Rotten Tomatoes
26
Watch

Bird on a Wire (1990)

chaotic chase energy90s action-comedy cheeseex-lovers bickering

Overview

ComedyAdventureActionRomance

An FBI informant has kept his new identity secret for 15 years. Now an old flame has recognised him, and the bad guys are back for revenge.

Flag of USUS
Content warning
martial artsmotorcycleabsurddrug addictiondetroit, michiganzooroad moviehelicopterwitness protectionopposites attract+5 more
identity and reinventionunresolved past relationshipsconsequences of choicestrust and betrayal

Standout Aspects

Acting

Goldie Hawn's scream-laugh combo is unmatched

Stunts

Helicopter dangling that insurance definitely hated

Best for:Streaming: Rainy Sunday when you want zero brain strain·Friends: Irony-appreciating group who loves bad-good movies·Background: Fold laundry, glance up, still follow plot
John Badham

Director

John Badham

ReleasedMay 18, 1990
Runtime1h 50m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacefast
Intensitymedium
Tonelight
Feellight
Budget$20M·Revenue$138.7M
Universal Pictures
Interscope Communications

Top Cast

Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson

Richard 'Rick' Jarmin

Goldie Hawn

Goldie Hawn

Marianne Graves

David Carradine

David Carradine

Eugene Sorensen

Bill Duke

Bill Duke

Albert Diggs

Stephen Tobolowsky

Stephen Tobolowsky

Joe Weyburn

Joan Severance

Joan Severance

Rachel Varney

Harry Caesar

Harry Caesar

Marvin Larson

Jeff Corey

Jeff Corey

Lou Baird

Alex Bruhanski

Alex Bruhanski

Raun

John Pyper-Ferguson

John Pyper-Ferguson

Jamie

Clyde Kusatsu

Clyde Kusatsu

Mr. Takawaki

Jackson Davies

Jackson Davies

Paul Bernard

Ask about Bird on a Wire

Opens AI chat

Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

This was one of the most expensive comedies of 1990 with reshoots and multiple endings tested.

Cultural

The title references the Leonard Cohen song, though the film uses neither the song nor its melancholy tone—classic marketing bait-and-switch.

YouTube

Bird on a Wire (1990) Original Trailer [FHD]

Bird on a Wire (1990) Original Trailer [FHD]

Gallery(14 images)

Reviews

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