The Birdcage (1996)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

If it weren't for the fact this movie has as its world a gay nightclub and gay men, it could have starred Cary Grant and been one of those wacky comedies of the forties. This is absolutely a hoot. To start with, you have Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, two of the most amazing, on their feet comedians ever. Throw in the plot of "if we could pull this off for one night," and everything else is up for grabs. The dialogue is excellent with all its double entendres and dramatic irony. We have the Senator, thoroughly enjoying himself, without realizing he is flirting with a man, and everything else relating to that. Of course, there is constant backtracking and improvisation. You have to laugh.

I absolutely love this movie! I've watched it I don't know how many times. It makes me laugh and cry. It's a wonderful story of love and family. The cast is brilliant, the writing is inspired ("2 words -- green card", "I'm the only one not from a broken home.", "It's porno, not pronto." among others), the bits are extraordinary (Nathan Lane as John Wayne!!!). The characters have depth and interest. The costuming and sets, the historical setting, along with the supporting cast all contribute to the overall excellence of the movie. It doesn't really matter whether it's set in a drag bar, though, obviously, that adds a certain quirky element to the story. Who didn't love Hank Azaria's Guatamalaness?

My wife rented this movie for our anniversary. I was unhappy; why would she rent a movie about gay men on such an occasion? She only said she heard it was a good movie.However comedy is fickle; a person's mood can have a strong influence on whether they enjoy a comedy, and I was not starting the movie with a good mood.By the end, I loved it! It was not only humorous, but it portrayed the gay men in a realistic manner: men who have a great capacity for love, yet are victims of prejudice.You have to respect Robin Williams for playing this role, especially in the era this was made. He risked his career by taking on a role many Americans would object to, as this film was made well before the time when the majority of Americans decided that prejudice against gays and lesbians is wrong.The film does struggle with stereotypes, but overall, great acting and writing make it a gem of a film.

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)