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From Amazon.co.uk
The great improvisational comedy team of Mike Nichols and Elaine May reunited to (respectively) direct and write this update of the French comedy La Cage Aux Folles. Robin Williams stars as a gay Miami nightclub owner who is forced to play it straight and ask his drag-queen partner (Nathan Lane) to hide out when Williams's son invites his prospective--and highly conservative--in-laws and fiancée to a meet-and-greet dinner party. Gene Hackman and Dianne Wiest play the straight-laced senator and his wife, and Calista Flockhart (from television's Ally McBeal) plays their daughter in a culture-clash with outrageous consequences. May's witty screenplay incorporates some pointed observations about the political landscape of the 1990s and takes a sensitive approach to the comedy's underlying drama. Topping off the action is Hank Azaria in a scene-stealing role as Williams's and Lane's flamboyant housekeeper, "Agador Spartacus." --Jeff Shannon
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By "floydy1976"
Format:DVD
I LOVE this film. It's guaranteed to make you feel good and laugh until you hurt. If you haven't seen this film, I can't recommend it highly enough. It's one for a Saturday night in with the girls (or boys) and a bottle or two of wine! You truly won't be disappointed.
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By taking a rest
HALL OF FAME
Format:DVD
Talent alone does not assure a great film or even a good film. When there is a great tale and a great cast, all that is needed for a wonderful film is in hand, and, 'The Birdcage", has the needed ingredients in abundance. Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, Diane Wiest, and Robin Williams are just the start of an exceptional ensemble cast. Dan Futterman does a wonderful job as the son who is about to marry a young woman in the film, who has since become very well known as the star of, "Ally Mcbeal", Calista Flockhart. An in a performance that deserves to be mentioned on its own, Hank Azaria steals virtually every scene he appears in.
Gene Hackman is a US Senator that is so conservative that he thinks Robert Dole is not only dark but too liberal, and even the Pope is too controversial. Now take his daughter who is going to marry Val no matter what her parents feel, and add that both of Val's parents are men, you can imagine the fireworks. The male couple is comprised of Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, and they are as funny a duo as have played onscreen together. I hope another film or perhaps a theater opportunity presents itself for these two actors to work together, as they are brilliant, both alone and as a pair.
Much of the film surrounds a massive effort at deception and takes large roundhouse swipes at every political cliché, the more to the right or left, the more damage the position will suffer. The film is an absolute riot from beginning to end; you will be hard pressed to find a funnier one hour and 59 minutes of comedy with a cast of this caliber in another film.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
A great build up to the worlds greatest dinner party. Has the odd slow moment, but what film doesn't? A truly funny comedy that makes no pretence about trying to be witty or saying something it isn't. Robin Williams is fantastic, but I have to say that Nathan Lane as Albert/Mrs Coldman really steals the show.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Jay
Format:DVD
I think I understand why the critical review has been mediocre -- it's likely because critics keep comparing 'The Birdcage' with the original 'La Cage Aux Folles'. I wish critics would rate a movie for what it is, and not for what it compares to. 'The Birdcage' as a stand-alone movie is witty, funny, silly, and entertaining. And that's what makes it so enjoyable! It's one of my favourite comedies and I can watch it over and over again.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By The Librarian
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
A version of La Cage aux Folles, without the musical numbers, this a witty and - yes - very amusing piece of comedy, with its farcical moments. However, because there is a cast of such superb actors (absolutely NO dud performances from anyone), and because the very best comedy is always close to tragedy, there are some extremely touching moments as well.
Robin Williams is excellent, and - for him - very subdued, thus proving that he is much more than a fast mouth. The film, however, definitely belongs to Nathan Lane, who steals every scene he's in, and despite being so outrageously camp, is never so over-the-top as to be irritating. I can't bear slapstick comedy, however skillful, and although the much-loved dinner party scene teeters on the brink, it remains restrained enough to be very funny.
Despite all the reviews describing it as non-stop laughs, sidesplitting-laugh-a-minute, etc, the best thing is the poignant bits showing the tenderness of the relationship between Armand and Albert (Williams and Lane), especially Albert's attempts to play-act the straight guy, and his speech at the dinner party when his identity is discovered and he speaks so movingly of his love for Armand's son, etc.
Classic, high-quality comedy - witty, colourful, moving... what more do you want?!!!!
Robin Williams is excellent, and - for him - very subdued, thus proving that he is much more than a fast mouth. The film, however, definitely belongs to Nathan Lane, who steals every scene he's in, and despite being so outrageously camp, is never so over-the-top as to be irritating. I can't bear slapstick comedy, however skillful, and although the much-loved dinner party scene teeters on the brink, it remains restrained enough to be very funny.
Despite all the reviews describing it as non-stop laughs, sidesplitting-laugh-a-minute, etc, the best thing is the poignant bits showing the tenderness of the relationship between Armand and Albert (Williams and Lane), especially Albert's attempts to play-act the straight guy, and his speech at the dinner party when his identity is discovered and he speaks so movingly of his love for Armand's son, etc.
Classic, high-quality comedy - witty, colourful, moving... what more do you want?!!!!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Jenny J.J.I.
Format:DVD
Robin Williams is an amazing actor, especially when he's playing the straight man, so to speak. After watching this last night I realize that he is the god of comic timing during the time when so many comic gay films hit the scene and the "BIRDCAGE" showcases his comedic talent in a new way for most people, by constraining it. His performance and Nichols firm direction anchor what could have been nothing more than a string of clichés. Lane plays "the woman" in their relationship, giving Williams the chance to play one of few straight roles he's ever had...so to speak.
He plays Armand, a gay nightclub owner, who lives in South Beach with his "wife" Albert, played by Nathan Lane. Armand is certainly the less effeminate of the two, but no one could mistake him for a heterosexual man. They are very happy and have a fairly unexciting life - that is until Armand's son Val (he was conceived in a dalliance years before so that Armand and Albert could have a family) announces that he's engaged. The only problem is that his fiancée is the daughter of an extreme right-wing senator, played by Gene Hackman, for whom the lives of his potentially new in-laws would create quite a problem on re-election day.
As one would expect, chaos ensues when they try to convince the senator and his wife, played by Dianne Wiest, over dinner that they are a regular, happy, non-Jewish, heterosexual family. It's one close call after another mainly due to the bumbling of their houseboy Agadar Sparticus (in a brilliant comic turn by Hank Azaria). The dinner turns out to be just soup, which Spartacus serves in less than appropriate soup bowls.... Read more ›
He plays Armand, a gay nightclub owner, who lives in South Beach with his "wife" Albert, played by Nathan Lane. Armand is certainly the less effeminate of the two, but no one could mistake him for a heterosexual man. They are very happy and have a fairly unexciting life - that is until Armand's son Val (he was conceived in a dalliance years before so that Armand and Albert could have a family) announces that he's engaged. The only problem is that his fiancée is the daughter of an extreme right-wing senator, played by Gene Hackman, for whom the lives of his potentially new in-laws would create quite a problem on re-election day.
As one would expect, chaos ensues when they try to convince the senator and his wife, played by Dianne Wiest, over dinner that they are a regular, happy, non-Jewish, heterosexual family. It's one close call after another mainly due to the bumbling of their houseboy Agadar Sparticus (in a brilliant comic turn by Hank Azaria). The dinner turns out to be just soup, which Spartacus serves in less than appropriate soup bowls.... Read more ›
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
love it
As great as Robin Williams is Nathan Lane is AMAZING and so is Hank Azaria.
If somehow you've missed this film and you know Lane and Azaria from something else you have to... Read more
If somehow you've missed this film and you know Lane and Azaria from something else you have to... Read more
Published 9 days ago by goulielmos votikas
5.0 out of 5 stars
superb
great movie and worth watching. Would recommend to all, very entertaining and you can watch them over and over again.
Published 12 days ago by Harjeet Kaur
5.0 out of 5 stars
a favourite
I love the characters and their ott responses.
Ie the scene where the drag queen is feeling old and unloved, or imitates John Wayne to try to pass as straight, or where the... Read more
Ie the scene where the drag queen is feeling old and unloved, or imitates John Wayne to try to pass as straight, or where the... Read more
Published 18 days ago by JJ
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love this
Love this film this USA great film funny heartwarming with lots of good actors x deco for gay funny comedyx
Published 1 month ago by Vik
5.0 out of 5 stars
birdcage review
Very funny dvd ,Robin Williams plays his part well over the top, if you want a laugh you should buy it
Published 1 month ago by AMANDA MUNELL
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Classic
Love this at the house - that is all - this is a favorite for us! Need I say any more?
Published 2 months ago by Andrew Furry
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Arrived fast and was just as advertised. The price was very competitive and the film is just a comedy classic.
Published 2 months ago by mills001
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Birdcage, a DVD with Robin Williams
I had no idea what this was all about but it is a hilariously funny film well acted as you would expect from Robin Williams and enjoyable all the way through, As I have said... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Rajputana43sa
5.0 out of 5 stars
film
I have always loved this film and could watch it over and over again! It's a feel good film and nice to watch with friends.
Published 4 months ago by Pauline C
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Film
Classic Gay iconic film. It'll have you in stitches. Very rare to get hold of, so get it whilst you can
Published 4 months ago by David Barsby
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