Year: 1990
Runtime: 110 min
Language: English
Director: John Badham
Rick Jarmin lives a quiet life as a gas station attendant, until a chance encounter with Marianne threatens to expose his hidden past. Suddenly, he’s forced to flee across the country, pursued by dangerous drug lord Eugene Sorenson, who seeks revenge. Jarmin must rely on Marianne’s help to protect his identity and confront the events that forced him into hiding, all while navigating a perilous journey filled with unexpected challenges.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Bird on a Wire (1990), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
As Attorney Marianne “Muffie” Graves navigates the concrete jungle of Detroit in pursuit of a high-stakes business deal, she unexpectedly crosses paths with Rick Jarmin—her former hippie fiancé, now living under the Witness Protection Program. The transformation is so seamless that Marianne, who believed Rick had perished in a tragic plane crash, finds herself covertly following him to uncover the truth of his identity. Her suspicions are confirmed when she observes a bold assassination attempt against Rick, masterminded by two merciless DEA agents, Eugene Sorenson and Albert “Diggs” Diggins. These villains have a history marked by a fifteen-year prison sentence, a consequence of Rick’s pivotal testimony against them.
As the tension escalates, Marianne is propelled into a dangerous game of cat and mouse to assist Rick in avoiding his would-be killers. During this perilous chase, it becomes evident that Rick is not the only one hiding secrets. FBI agent Joe Weyburn, assigned to monitor them, is revealed to be colluding with Sorenson, a revelation that leads to a charged confrontation between Marianne and Rick about their tangled history and uncertain path ahead.
Amidst the chaos, hope flickers when Lou Baird, Rick’s former FBI handler, appears to surface as a potential ally. Yet, fortune has not favored Lou, as he struggles with memory loss, failing to recognize Rick and Marianne. Undeterred, the couple seeks out old contacts from Rick’s past life in hiding, leading them to an unexpected reunion with Rachel Varney. Now serving as a veterinarian, Rachel uses her skills to help them evade their lethal pursuers, further compounding the intrigue of their situation.
As tensions peak, the duo finds themselves trapped by Sorenson, Diggs, and Weyburn at Baird’s remote Wisconsin retreat. In a desperate bid to turn the tide, they escape to a nearby zoo, where Rick’s past as a zookeeper offers a strategic advantage. Here, he turns the animal kingdom into unwitting allies as he stages a bold counterattack—Diggs meets his end at the claws of a ferocious lion, Weyburn becomes a meal for piranhas, and Sorenson faces electrocution in a twist of poetic justice. Amidst this chaotic showdown, Marianne demonstrates remarkable bravery, just managing to save Rick from a perilous drop above a tiger’s lair.
After such a harrowing ordeal, Rick and Marianne are later seen traversing the tranquil waters of the Caribbean. With their physical wounds healing, they begin to navigate a future filled with promise. As the sun sets, casting a golden hue over the ocean, it becomes evident that in the face of relentless challenges, genuine love triumphs above all.
Last Updated: November 19, 2024 at 12:20
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