The Birdcage

It's been 20 years since The Birdcage was released and while some things have changed since then, there are other elements of the film that feel just as current as ever. The film is an adaptation of the classic French farce La Cage Aux Folles and updates it wonderfully to American audiences with a top notch cast to match, a script by comedy legend Elaine Mays and directed by Mike Nichols. The result is one of my all time favorite comedies. 

Armand (played by Robin Williams) and Albert (played by Nathan Lane) are a loving gay couple who own their own drag club in South Beach, Florida. Armand directs the shows and Albert is the star under the drag persona Starina. One night, Armand's son Val (played by Dan Futterman) returns home from college announcing to his father that he is getting married. It turns out the in-laws are ultra-right wing conservative Senator Kevin Keeley (played by Gene Hackman) and his wife Louise (played by Dianne Wiest). Their daughter, Barbara (played by Calista Flockhart), afraid of her parents reactions spins a web of lies of how Val's parents are a cultural attache to Greece and a housewife. Meanwhile, Kevin finds himself in the middle of a political scandal when a Senator he co-founded the Coalition for Moral Order with suddenly dies in the bed of an underage, African-American prostitute. Louise convinces Kevin to let Barbara go through with the wedding in an attempt to restore a little of Kevin's public reputation. Agreeing to meet the in-laws (and escape the hordes of press camped outside their house, the Keeleys begin their road trip to South Beach to meet Val's parents. 

Meanwhile, back in Florida, Val fills his father in on the web of lies Barbara has spun to her folks and begs his father to help him tone down the apartment for the impending dinner with his future in-laws, as well as send Albert away. Armand initially is resistant to the idea, perfectly comfortable with who he is. However, his love for his son wins out and the re-decoration of their flamboyant apartment commences. Armand also tries to convince Albert to go away for a few days, but Albert is resistant. When Albert discovers what is going on, he is emotionally distressed and leaves. Armand decides it would be better if Albert stays and begins coaching him on how to act more straight for the incoming in-laws. They also venture to Miami to try and convince Val's birth mother Katherine (played by Christine Baranski) to join them as Val's mother. Albert is less than thrilled but tries to play along to please Armand. However, when Katherine's arrival is delayed, Albert strolls in to meet the new in-laws decked out as the drag version of Barbara Bush to pose as Val's mother, setting up a chaotic and unpredictable night for both the Keeleys and Val and Armand.  

The film was wonderfully updated for American audiences with a razor sharp script by Elaine May where everything is fair game and nothing is sacred. Mike Nichols likewise offers solid direction with flair starting off with an impressive tracking shot that starts over South Beach and goes all the way into the club (it's a combination of three shots but the cuts are barely noticeable. From the wonderfully choreographed musical numbers to the farcical chaos of the film, it's all staged well and works well. 

Funny line after funny line are whipped out left right and center by a fantastic cast as the entire film becomes outright farce. Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, the bickering and Albert's hysterics aside, make for a genuinely loving couple that shines through all the insanity. Gene Hackman more that holds his own with the comedic talents of both Williams and Lane, playing what at the time had to be a parody of the Right Wing conservatives, but these days seems rather accurate. I also enjoyed the little quirks of his character, like in times of stress Kevin doesn't start drinking rather he wants candy, specifically chocolates. Dianne Wiest plays the voice of reason of the Keeley household, trying to keep things calm in times of crisis. Even then she too has her own wonderful comedic moments. Hank Azaria is hysterical as Albert and Armand's housekeeper. He's a foreigner from some undetermined country (where his father was the shaman of his tribe and his mother was the high priestess, apparently). Damn near stealing every scene he is in, he is hysterical throughout the entire film. Dan Futterman has taken a lot of flack for his role as Val and that aspect is probably the most dated thing about the film, but his arc is nicely realized as he comes to love and respect, as well as stand up for, his parents, Armand and Albert, for who they are.     


Overall, The Birdcage remains a fantastic comedy that has an all star cast behind it. The script by Elaine May is solid gold, with one fantastic line after another and plenty of funny comic set pieces, including a couple where you can tell the cast members are trying desperately not to laugh and ruin the take. It may be a bit dated at times, but it still remains one of my all time favorite comedies nonetheless.