ironhorse_iv Review of The Birdcage

The Birdcage (1996)

If you don't get this movie, try some more gum

[7/10 · 5 February 2013]

I know that look. Hit me, go on. Hit me with why this movie isn't good, because I don't see that face plant of why I should hate this Mike Nichol's film. Yes, it might look like a pale copy of the original La Cage aux Folles, the 1978's French film in itself based on the 1973's play by Jean Poiret, but it's not a drag. Well, it's a drag in another way, but what I like about this remake is how they turns something from French, into a funny American movie. Armand Goldman (Robin Williams) owns a popular drag nightclub in South Miami Beach with his long-time lover Albert Goldman (Nathan Lane). Nathan Lane as Albert is a annoying character with his fits, non-stop complaining and diva like attitude. Some audience members might find the character too irritation to bother with the movie. Some audience members will look past that, due to fact that Albert is so hysterical due to his overreactions to everything. If some people dislike him, they would love the crude humor toward him from Armand. As much as Armand can not stand him, he sticks with Albert. Within the comedy, is a small great speech scene by Armand to Albert. These are two gay men of a certain age, and years of ostracism, threats and taunts would have conditioned them both to avoid any PDAs, no matter how strong the feeling between them. The speech gives the moment enormous poignancy feeling of genuine, heartfelt and caring to Albert. This scene is especially lovely, a great juxtaposition to the rest of the film which is wonderfully silly and comedic. Nathan Lane isn't the only one that nearly steals the movie from Robin Williams, as Armand's maid Agador Spartacus (Hank Azaria) takes a bite of funny throughout the film, with singing and dancing to music, making lousy food, and tripping over his own feet. Watching Agador was a delight, and pans away from Nathan Lane enough times, that we able to rest from his big, brassy yelling and complaining. Soon the Goldman's son Val (Dan Futterman) comes home to announce his engagement to Barbara Keely (Calista Flockhart), daughter of Kevin Keely (Gene Hackman), US Senator, and vice president of the extreme Committee for Moral Order and his wife (Dianne Wiest). First off, the actor Dan Futterman and Calista Flockhart were too old for the role, it felt weird in a way to see Calista play a awkward 18 year old. Both are in later scenes, boozing and smoking. Are we suppose to believe that a conservatism senator would allow his daughter to underage drink? Clearly both are wrong actors for the job. Gene Hackman as Kevin Keely is so extreme right conservatism, it makes the character seem like a political cartoon caricature less than a normal person. Kevin Keely decide to allow Barbara to marry Val only if they meet Val and his family at South Beach and use the marriage to get the media off of the scandal of his co-founder that been focus on him. While in Miami, Val fearing the worst like the Senator will not allow Barbara to marry him. Val tries to convince his father to hide his relationship with Albert and the fact that he is gay and Jewish. At first, Armand stood tall for his right to be open about his sexuality and his religious views, but seeing how much it would mean for him. He allow the dinner to happen, and to make himself seem straight and asking to get rid of Albert for the day was over the line. I just can't stand Dan Futterman's character, for this, what a jerk. First off, Calista's character is clearly old enough to get marry with or without her father permission, and second off, it was the 90's. It wasn't the Leave it to Beaver pre-sexualism freedom 1960's here. I felt it was wrong how Val treats his father to hide who his Father was, ask Albert to leave, all for a girl who only knew for a year. The whole thing was shameful on the part of the character. I know he wasn't in shame of his father's lifestyle, but he knew that Keelys wouldn't understand, and I know without this premise there is no movie, but still he only admit his fault to due to being catch, rather than seeing his wrongs on how he treated his father and Albert the last few days. I also felt the ending was a cop-out, as it's seem like there should had been an extra scene to show how the movie's plot got resolved. Yes it might seem like a bird-brained delight, but you just can't help loving it, and not taking it too serious. The movie acts less like La Cage aux Folles and more like a modern "You can't take it with you", a 1938 film. The music in the film is catchy, love the use of Sister Sledge- We are family, Gloria Estefan- conga, and Alan Lerner- I could have danced all night. It add with the positive good mood of the film. The whole singing scene before dinner was the best. What the movie does well is going beyond the stereotypes to see the character's depth and humanity, and that's why this movie should be check out. Try it, and you will find yourself liking it as much as I do.