Siskel and Ebert are crackups, panning The Birdcage as an unnecessary remake of La Cage aux Folles. Well(!) . . . I'm a 'Murican and I ain't seen that French movie. So there!
But I'm well-acquainted with this movie and I think it's pretty great. Every actor here is perfect for their role; somehow Robin Williams is the serious one while Nathan Lane goes full drama queen (no pun intended) ; Gene Hackman is the ideal stick-up-his-ass Republican; and then there's Hank Azaria's flamboyant housekeeper, seemingly always around to make the situation worse. Everyone here is hysterical. The message of acceptance is timeless, the tone is just right, and it's (most importantly) just damn funny.
But I'm well-acquainted with this movie and I think it's pretty great. Every actor here is perfect for their role; somehow Robin Williams is the serious one while Nathan Lane goes full drama queen (no pun intended) ; Gene Hackman is the ideal stick-up-his-ass Republican; and then there's Hank Azaria's flamboyant housekeeper, seemingly always around to make the situation worse. Everyone here is hysterical. The message of acceptance is timeless, the tone is just right, and it's (most importantly) just damn funny.