Bird on a Wire ** (1990, Mel Gibson, Goldie Hawn, David Carradine) – Classic Movie Review 8367

Director John Badham’s 1990 action comedy thriller Bird on a Wire stars the popular team of Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn, and was a big hit thanks to the stars’ sexual chemistry and comedy skills, and to Badham’s expert, fast-moving direction.

Gibson and Hawn play Rick Jarmin and his old flame Marianne Graves, who are forced to go on the run from almost everybody when she recognises him after 15 years and accidentally blows his cover of the FBI’s new identity for him under a witness protection programme, after he helped to convict a drug-dealing FBI agent.

Enjoyable though this old-style romantic comedy chase thriller is, it is marred by rampant sexism, a lack of new ideas and a running out of steam before it gets to the finishing post.

It is such a shame the script goes for unsubtle situations and easy laughs, because Mel and Goldie work well together in an appealing double act.

Also in the cast are David Carradine, Bill Duke, Stephen Tobolowsky, Joan Severance, Harry Caesar, Jeff Corey, Alex Bruhanski, John Pyper-Ferguson and Clyde Kusatsu.

The screenplay is by David Seltzer, Louis Venosta and Eric Lerner, based on a story by Louis Venosta and Eric Lerner.

Bird on a Wire cost $20,000,000 and grossed $70,980,000 in the US.

Badham’s previous movie was Stakeout (1987).

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8367

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