Paulie

At the American institute, Paulie seems ready to speak, but he remains silent when Dr. Reingold and the scientists are brought in to witness him. The observers are stunned by the absence of a response and wonder what his true abilities might be. This moment sets the tone for Paulie's guarded relationship with authority and his struggle to reveal his gift.

Misha confesses his own homesickness and begins to open up to Paulie. In turn, Paulie tells his story about his original owner, Marie Alweather, a girl who stuttered, and how their speech therapy shaped his life. The two form a bond as Paulie's memories surface and he speaks more freely.

In a flashback, Paulie is gifted to Marie as an infant, and she works on speech therapy while he begins to speak. Marie's father, Warren, returns from Vietnam and questions their bond, believing Paulie distorts reality. He decides that Paulie should be removed, and Paulie’s fear of flying grows after a near-death rooftop incident.

Paulie passes through several owners and spends his days insulting customers in a bustling pawn shop. The shop becomes his stage for misanthropy until a shady buyer named Benny shows interest in profiting from his talent. This foreshadows a darker turn in his life.

Widowed artist Ivy purchases Paulie intending to reform his ill behavior. She befriends him and earns his trust through care rather than contempt. Ivy's plan is to help Paulie locate Marie, who has moved to Los Angeles.

The duo travels together in a mobile home as they search for Marie. Along the way, Ivy's health changes the dynamic of their partnership, and Paulie grows to rely on her. Their goal remains clear: reunite Paulie with Marie.

Midway through the trip, Ivy loses her sight, and Paulie chooses to stay by her side to help and protect her. He develops a deep bond with her, showing a gentler side than before. Their companionship deepens the sense of home Paulie seeks.

Ivy passes away, leaving Paulie to continue his journey on his own. Having finally learned to fly, Paulie leaves behind the life she helped him rebuild and pursues Marie again. The moment of flight marks a new independence for him.

In East Los Angeles, Paulie joins a group of migrant conures owned by Ignacio and temporarily forgets about Marie. He grows fond of a female conure named Lupe during performances. The life of the troupe introduces new temptations and distractions.

Benny, now in Los Angeles, recognizes Paulie's talents and tries to profit by purchasing him from Ignacio. He makes a prank call to the police during a performance, causing chaos. Amid the confusion, Benny abducts Paulie and drags him away from Ignacio.

Paulie is brought to the American institute, where his ability to speak astonishes the staff. Dr. Reingold and his team run tests, promising to reunite him with Marie after the research. Paulie overhears Reingold privately claiming Marie's whereabouts but concealing them to keep him under control.

A resentful Paulie humiliates Reingold in front of his peers, exposing the deception and refusing to cooperate with further testing. In response, his wings are clipped and he is imprisoned in the institute's basement. The confrontation pushes Paulie toward a desperate escape.

Moved by Paulie's story, Misha decides to release him and the other caged animals. They undermine the institute's containment and make a night-time escape. The two flee with a plan to reach Marie before Reingold can recover control.

Misha and Paulie reach Marie's address and discover that she is a beautiful young woman, unrecognizable to Paulie at first glance. After Paulie sings a lullaby that his mother sang to Marie, he realizes who she is and they reunite. Paulie learns his feathers have regrown and finally can fly again as they share a hopeful moment.

Paulie and Marie invite Misha to stay with them as a family. The trio walks into Marie's house together, content in their new bond.