The Birdcage (1996)

The Birdcage is a fine movie that is based off it's wonderful performances, especially from Robin Williams and Nathan Lane. The movie is quite funny and it has a focus on a rather controversial issue, an issue which would make the national headlines within a few years after this film's release. The film has a tight screenplay that delivers some surprisingly strong lines and the film actually has a core that is emotional. Mike Nichol's film is about a man named Armand who owns a drag club and lives with his long-time partner who is the star of the drag club. One day, Armand's son comes to visit to say that he is getting married to the daughter of a United States Senator, a man who does not support minorities and homosexuality. The parents agree to meet for dinner, as his son persuades Armand to put on a straight act for one night only. The performances in the film are spot-on. Robin Williams delivers a funny though rather toned-down performance as Armand. Although Robin manages to be more straight-laced than usual, he does manage a few great jokes. Nathan Lane delivers a fine performance as Albert Goldman, Armand's lover. He actually made for a great woman. Gene Hackman is good as always as Kevin Keeley, the senator involved in a scandal. Dianne Wiest is good as his supportive wife. Overall, The Birdcage is a really good, funny movie that has quite a few memorable lines. The dinner scene is my favorite scene and it shows that dinner parties are rarely perfect, especially if secrets are being hidden. 2014 was a really sad year as we lost two major contributors of this film: Robin Williams and director Mike Nichols. I am glad I was able to view this film in order to more appreciate their works. I rate this film 9/10.

Many years ago I watched LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, which this film is based on, and incidentally was one of the first foreign language films I ever saw. From what I remember, it was a laugh-riot from beginning to end, and was very economical at 96 minutes. THE BIRDCAGE, directed by Mike Nichols and starring Robin Williams, Nathan Lane and Gene Hackman, tells essentially the same story but with an American bent. While I can respect the changes that were made, at about 25 minutes longer things could have been more streamlined than they were. Here, Robin Williams plays a more subtle comedic character as Armand, the owner of the titular Birdcage, a drag club where his partner Albert (Nathan Lane) is the star performer. When his son Val comes home for a visit, he tells his father that he is getting married, but to the daughter of a conservative Senator. The comedy of errors that ensues has to be seen to be believed, and in my mind was as funny as the original. Robin Williams was very effective in playing the "straight" man to Nathan Lane's hysterical queen, and both played off of each other very well. Gene Hackman was also pretty hilarious as a stereotypically backwards-minded right-winger. Overall, while a remake of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES might not have been necessary, THE BIRDCAGE is pretty funny, if a little long-winded in parts. It has a great cast who all perform very well together, with special mention going to Hank Azaria as Armand and Albert's butler Agador. It also had a fine soundtrack as well. Bottom line: Robin Williams fans should enjoy this, as long as the satirical jabs at Republicans don't offend them, and fans of the French original should find plenty to like here as well.

One of my all time favourites. The first time I saw it we were laughing so much we raised a friend out of her sickbed and watched it again back to back so she could see what all the fuss was about. It was every bit as enjoyable the second time.I have introduced the film to several people since and never tire of it. Beautifully pitched performances doing justice to a lovely piece of writing.Some prefer the 1978 original which I saw yesterday and did not really enjoy. It seems a strange word to use about the Birdcage but my feeling is that there is a subtlety to it which the 1978 La Cage aux Folles version lacks that brings out the charm and humour of the writing. (It could be that it was dubbing of the 1978 version that marred it for me).

Remake of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES about son Futterman trying to disguise his gay father Williams as a Greek cultural attaché in order to impress fiancé Flockhart's conservative parents (played perfectly by Hackman and Wiest). Let's not forget about Lane and Azaria, who both deliver just as many (if not more) laughs and memorable quotes as the rest of the terrific cast. Although a bit stereotypical at times, it is ultimately a very well-rounded comedy that was ahead of its time. Much of this outing is skin-deep, with a somewhat questionable backstory between Williams and Baranski, but its charm and fun make any flaws you might find quite forgivable.*** (out of four)