Bird

Bird

Year: 1988

Runtime: 161 min

Language: English

BiographyDramaMusic

This biographical drama focuses on the pivotal 1946 meeting between Charlie "Bird" Parker, a legendary figure in bebop jazz, and his contemporary, Dizzy Gillespie. The film explores Parker's extraordinary musical talent and the struggles with addiction and personal demons that haunted him. Through a blend of past and present scenes, it vividly portrays the virtuosity and complexities of a musician whose innovative sound continues to influence generations.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Bird yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Bird (1988)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Bird (1988). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1939-1955

The story is set during the late 1930s to mid-1950s, a period marked by the Great Depression's aftermath, World War II, and the post-war jazz boom. It reflects the cultural and social challenges faced by musicians and the evolution of jazz music during this era.

Location

New York City, Hollywood, Paris, Chicago

The movie takes place primarily in New York City, known for its vibrant jazz scene and historic venues. Hollywood and Paris are also featured, highlighting Charlie Parker's international influence and personal journeys. Chicago is depicted as a key city in his career, emphasizing the evolving jazz landscape.

🗽 Urban 🎷 Jazz hub 🌆 Cultural melting pot 🌉 Iconic locations

Last Updated: July 29, 2025 at 06:43

Main Characters – Bird (1988)

Meet the key characters of Bird (1988), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Charlie 'Bird' Parker

A talented, innovative jazz saxophonist whose genius is overshadowed by his struggles with addiction and personal turmoil. Despite his turbulent life, he remains dedicated to his music and its evolution. His character embodies both artistic brilliance and inner pain.

🎷 Musician 🎭 Troubled genius 💔 Addict

Chan Parker

Charlie's wife, emotionally strained and exhausted by her husband's addiction and infidelity. She seeks stability for her family, often feeling neglected and overwhelmed. Her relationship with Charlie is marked by love, frustration, and resilience.

👩‍👧‍👦 Wife 💪 Resilient 😓 Overwhelmed

Last Updated: July 29, 2025 at 06:43

Major Themes – Bird (1988)

Explore the central themes of Bird (1988), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎵 Jazz and Creativity

The film centers on Charlie Parker's revolutionary jazz music and his creative genius. It explores how his improvisations, improvisational spirit, and musical innovations shaped the jazz genre. The theme highlights the influence of jazz as an art form and its cultural significance.

💔 Addiction and Despair

Drug addiction profoundly impacts Charlie Parker's life, leading to health issues, instability, and personal struggles. The narrative portrays the destructive cycle of addiction, its influence on his relationships, and his ongoing battle with inner demons.

👪 Family and Relationships

The movie depicts Charlie’s complicated relationships with his wife Chan and their children. It shows emotional strain, betrayal, and the desire for a stable family life amidst chaos. These relationships underscore themes of love, loss, and longing for stability.

Last Updated: July 29, 2025 at 06:43

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Tragic Genius Biographies like Bird

Brilliant minds whose extraordinary talents are overshadowed by personal demons.If you were captivated by the story of Charlie Parker in Bird, explore more movies like it. This selection features other tragic genius biographies, focusing on brilliant musicians, artists, and innovators whose lives were marked by immense talent and profound personal turmoil.

tragicreflectiveintensesorrowfulobsessivegritty

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow a biographical structure, chronicling the rise to prominence of a uniquely talented figure. The central conflict is internal, pitting their genius against addiction, mental illness, or self-destructive tendencies, leading to a narrative arc of ascension followed by a tragic decline.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together for their shared focus on the archetype of the tormented genius. They mix awe for the subject's talent with a heavy, melancholic tone, creating a deeply sorrowful yet reflective viewing experience centered on the high cost of brilliance.

Heavy Melancholic Character Studies like Bird

Intimate, steady portraits of characters grappling with internal turmoil.Viewers searching for movies with a similar mood to Bird will find them here. These melancholic character studies share a steady pace, high emotional intensity, and a focus on a protagonist's difficult psychological journey, often involving addiction and tragic outcomes.

intensereflectivesorrowfulgrittypsychologicaltragic

Narrative Summary

These narratives are less about plot twists and more about the gradual unraveling or steadfast suffering of a central character. The story unfolds at a steady pace, using flashbacks and present-day scenes to build a complex portrait of a person consumed by their flaws, with a climax that is emotionally resonant rather than action-packed.

Why These Movies?

The connection here is the overarching mood and narrative approach. These films prioritize emotional depth over eventful plotting, featuring a high-intensity, heavy feel, a melancholic tone, and a steady rhythm that makes the character's pain palpable and the ending profoundly sad.

Unlock the Full Story of Bird

Don't stop at just watching — explore Bird in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Bird is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Bird Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Bird, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Bird Summary

Bird Timeline

Track the full timeline of Bird with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Bird Timeline

Bird Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Bird that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Bird Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Bird

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Bird: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Bird