The Birdcage (1996)

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

For many people The Birdcage would usually be quickly discarded due to the fact that it pokes fun at conservative politics. However, with a fabulous cast of Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Hank Azaria, and Dianne Wiest, it's a hilarious remake of the French film, La Cage aux Folles. Robin Williams stars as a gay drag club owner, Armand Goldman, who's been in a long-term relationship with the club's feature performer, Albert, played by Nathan Lane. Armand has a 20 year-old son, whom he had with a one night stand and raised himself, who wants to get married. The only problem is his fiancée's father is a very conservative senator who couldn't possibly allow his daughter to marry the Jewish son of a gay couple. Barbara, Calista Flockhart, and Val, Dan Futterman, decide it would be easiest to lie to Barbara's family. With a subject as controversial as politics, The Birdcage, gives us an excitingly different take on modern families living in the 90's. With the crazy, yet relatable characters, you are made to feel like a part of the downward spiral of a family dinner of meeting the parents. Robin Williams' performance is comparable to his line from the movie, "It's like riding a psychotic horse running toward a burning stable." Amidst a chaotic situation, his character manages to rein in his psychotic horse, and lead the other horses in a way we don't normally get to see from him. He seems more in control in this film than we've seen him in various roles, for example, his role as the loving Mrs. Doubtfire. His performance is comparable to Jesse Tyler Ferguson's in "Modern Family." They are both more than capable of playing their parts, yet are more controlled than their counterparts: Nathan Lane and Eric Stonestreet, who steal the show with their flamboyance. With Robin Williams' comical, fun, yet controlled performance, he perfectly compliments his counterpart, Nathan Lane. Nathan Lane gives us a fresh and genuine performance that you wouldn't find from anyone else. The only performance comparable to Nathan Lane's is the incomparable Starina who he plays in the drag show. They steal the show and make viewers focus solely on them. His lovable character warms hearts while his actions leave you feeling a bit on edge. He manages to leave you on the edge of your seat waiting for the next thing to escape from his mouth. The much underrated actor, Hank Azaria, playing Agador/Spartacus, the Goldman's butler, captivates audiences with his comical one-liners. Nathan Lane may play a true showstopper and Robin Williams may deliver a hilarious, yet constructive performance. However, you can't help, but love Hank Azaria's sassy portrayal. From his short shorts, to his Guatemalan accent, to his invention of Pirin tablets, and his no-shoes policy, Agador/Spartacus is the real reason The Birdcage can be re-watched so many times and still remain so funny.With the use of brilliant filming angles, you're made to feel as though you a part of this crazy modern family. Which makes the theme song, "We Are Family," quite appropriate. To an extent, the movie is quite relatable to family life, which appeals to many audiences. Every family has its peculiarities and eccentric extended family members, in other words, it's very rare to get out of a family celebration without something going awry. Not only does The Birdcage subtly poke fun at conservative politics, it also makes a mockery of awkward family celebrations.

The Birdcage (1996): Dir: Mike Nichols / Cast: Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Diane Wiest, Christine Baranski: One of the best remakes ever made and it pretty much matches the French classic La Cage Aux Folles scene for scene and word for word. Title suggest hidden traits or closet homosexual. The cage is the closet while homosexuals represent the birds. Robin Williams runs a nightclub where drag queens entertain including the much adored Nathan Lane. Williams's son is engaged to the Senator's daughter and he is requested to change his lifestyle so that the Senator will not suspect it. Reluctantly Williams agrees but when Lane refuses to take a vacation he experiments with the idea of going straight, which leads to hilarious moments. Fine directing by Mike Nichols who has toyed before with secret lifestyles in films such as The Graduate and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Williams is flawless as the club manager out to please his son, while Lane is hilarious as a fragile drag queen. Gene Hackman and Diane Wiest make great foils as the Senator and wife who dodge media yet accept this couple as legitimate. How a crucial issue is solved makes the film's concluding joke a huge payoff. Christine Baranski plays Williams's supportive ex-wife who is unable to be at a crucial place at the right time. Theme regards secret lives that risk exposure. Score: 8 / 10

Don't believe all the pretentious snobs who want you to know that they've seen the french version. This is funny whether it's a copy or not. Nathan Lane and Hank Azaria are fantastic. They show it here on free to air about four times a year and it's hard not to watch it yet again. It's worth me watching just to hear my wife laughing her head off. I think those who criticise the movie as being insensitive are trying to take it too seriously when it's just meant to be a bit of fun. If it wasn't a comedy and gay people were portrayed this way then it might be offensive but it's a comedy and so there are stereotypes and the stereotypes are meant to be funny - not to be taken seriously. Watch it and have a laugh.

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)