- Actors: Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Dianne Wiest, Dan Futterman
- Directors: Mike Nichols
- Writers: Marcello Danon, Edouard Molinaro, Elaine May, Francis Veber, Jean Poiret
- Producers: Marcello Danon, Michele Imperato
- Language English
- Classification: 15
- Studio: MGM
- VHS Release Date: 1 Feb 2000
- Run Time: 117 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004CT98
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 5,043 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
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
From the Back Cover
Lies and deception - it's all in the family when Robin Williams must convince conservative in-laws, Gene Hackman and Dianne Wiest, that he's as upstanding and uptight as they are, in this raucously funny comedy that'll leave you weak from laughter.
Armand (Williams) and Albert (Nathan Lane) have built the perfect life for themselves, tending to their successful and gaudy nightclub on the Miami Strip. But their pastel tranquility is suddenly shaken by the arrival of Armand's son...who's getting married to the daughter of ultra-conservative Senator Keely (Hackman). What's more, the Senator and his wife (Wiest) are on their way over for dinner and are expecting to meet Mr. - and Mrs. - Family values! Can Armand and Albert pull it off? It'll take a performance of extraordinary charisma to transform them into acceptable in-laws...in other words, to pull the chiffon over the Keely's eyes.
Directed by Mike Nichols (Working Girl) from a hilarious script by Elain May, and co-starring Chrisine Baranski ("Cybill") and Calista Floghart ("Ally McBeal"), The Birdcage is a comedy whose time has come - and one that you'll watch time and time again!
Armand (Williams) and Albert (Nathan Lane) have built the perfect life for themselves, tending to their successful and gaudy nightclub on the Miami Strip. But their pastel tranquility is suddenly shaken by the arrival of Armand's son...who's getting married to the daughter of ultra-conservative Senator Keely (Hackman). What's more, the Senator and his wife (Wiest) are on their way over for dinner and are expecting to meet Mr. - and Mrs. - Family values! Can Armand and Albert pull it off? It'll take a performance of extraordinary charisma to transform them into acceptable in-laws...in other words, to pull the chiffon over the Keely's eyes.
Directed by Mike Nichols (Working Girl) from a hilarious script by Elain May, and co-starring Chrisine Baranski ("Cybill") and Calista Floghart ("Ally McBeal"), The Birdcage is a comedy whose time has come - and one that you'll watch time and time again!
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
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 8 people found the following review helpful
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.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
the birdcage
this film has everything,very funny and touching in parts.Hackman is outstanding he has great comic timing,Williams is also good,VERY FUNNY FILM.
Published 4 months ago by Ms. M. A. Jarvis
Great humour
This is a DVD that i have had to replace as the last one was lost. This film is full of great laughs. I have watched this film so many times with my husband. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Bing
Nathan Lane at his best!
Fabulous film, everyone camps it up a treat. Nathan Lane and Hank Azaria are utter geniuses. All very good fun.
Published 5 months ago by Harree
Hilarious
Very funny and amusing comedy, Robin Williams and Nathan Lane rocked it for me and of course the "butler" no shoes!
Published 8 months ago by Shan Rees-price
Very good
I really liked this film. It's a very funny film, one of the best. All the actors are splendid. Nathan Lane is really good and so is Robin Williams and Gene Hackman.
Published 8 months ago by M. Taylor
Insight into modern gay family dynamics
The Birdcage is a wonderfully funny film that delves right into the dynamics of a modern gay family as certain sacrifices have to be made to ensure the happiness of their only son. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Dismal Angel
Fantastic!
I have watched this film so many times but never tire of it. Robin Williams and Nathan Lane are brilliant in their characters. If you've never seen it..... Read more
Published 10 months ago by M. A. Sutcliffe
Just as good, if not better, than the original
for an English language audience, certainly. The reason: the same scriptwriters for both, but of course in English you don't have to keep glancing down at the subtitles. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Philoctetes
As usual Robin Williams doesn't disappoint
If you like the zany humour that Robin Williams delivers then this will not disappoint. After seeing this at the cinema originally (was it really that long ago :) ) and after... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Film Fanatic
The Birdcage
Ordering was easy. The DVD arrived on the due date. It was well packed and arrived in perfect condition. The quality of the DVD was superb. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Alan
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