Directed by:
Mike NicholsCinematography:
Emmanuel LubezkiComposer:
Jonathan TunickCast:
Robin Williams, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, Dianne Wiest, Dan Futterman, Calista Flockhart, Hank Azaria, Christine Baranski, Grant Heslov, Mike Starr (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
Lies and deceptionit's all in the family when Robin Williams must convince his future in-laws that he's as upstanding and uptight as they are in "the funniest comedy you'll see this year" (Gene Shalit, "Today Show"). Co-starring Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, Dianne Wiest, Christine Baranski and Calista Flockhart, The Birdcage is an uproarious comedy that will send your spirits soaring. Armand (Williams) and Albert (Lane) have built the perfect life for themselves tending to their gaudy Miami nightclub. But their pastel tranquility is shaken when Armand's son announces that he's getting married to the daughter of ultra-conservative Senator Keeley (Hackman)...and they're all getting together for dinner! Can Armand and Albert transform themselves into Mr.and Mrs. Family Values in time? It'll take the performance of their lives, but they'll do anythingand everythingto pull the chiffon over Keeley's eyes! (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (4)
A successful comedy with many very good moments, most of which are credited to Nathan Lane (Every one of his hysterical performances is worth it... Especially when he tries to act like a man!). However, everything I saw in the first hour was overwhelmed by the final dinner together, during which Gene Hackman admired Mrs. Coleman/Goldman, Robin Williams was constantly collapsing, the ultra-gay Hank Azaria as the majordomo Agador Spartacus was hitting the floor because he wasn't used to wearing shoes... It was something unreal.
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I remember this film back from the old times when I used to go to a video rental store to borrow VHS. I even remember that it was one of those films I was even then unable to watch till the end. The Birdcage mocks gays in a sort of distinguished way, as one of the main characters is played by Robin Williams who is really enjoying it. However, just from the theme itself it is apparent that this film will be either enormously fun due to the thing that it is cleverly and inoffensively mocking, or enormously boring. For me, it was unfortunately the latter.
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The Birdcage offers nearly two-hours of refreshing entertainment, standing especially on the amazing performances of the actors, of which I must highlight Nathan Lane and Hank Azaria, who entertained me royally. Filled with humorous situations, disguises, mistakes, pratfalls and raised little fingers, the film wipes away sexual and religious prejudices as well as weighs in on the political scene, all in a very intelligent manner. In short, a well and honestly made comedy that definitely deserves the audience's attention.
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It's well shot, and not unnecessarily pushed too hard, at least for the most part, but still, this film disappointed me quite a bit because it's essentially nothing more than an overly stretched effort to please the partner's parents, or rather, the partner herself. However, the excellently chosen actors in the main roles really help the film a lot, making it enjoyable thanks to them.
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