| | |  | Horror & Supernatural | Home » » The Birdcage | | | | | | | Product Promotions: | | | | | Description: | | Lies and deceptionit's all in the family when Robin Williams must convince his future in-laws that he's as upstanding and uptight as they are in "the funniest comedy you'll see this year" (Gene Shalit, "Today Show"). Co-starring Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, Dianne Wiest, Christine Baranski and Calista Flockhart, The Birdcage is an uproarious comedy that will send your spirits soaring. Armand (Williams) and Albert (Lane) have built the perfect life for themselves tending to their gaudy Miami nightclub. But their pastel tranquility is shaken when Armand's son announces that he's getting married to the daughter of ultra-conservative Senator Keeley (Hackman)...and they're all getting together for dinner! Can Armand and Albert transform themselves into Mr.and Mrs. Family Values in time? It'll take the performance of their lives, but they'll do anythingand everythingto pull the chiffon over Keeley's eyes! | | | Product Details: | | | Actors:
| Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Dianne Wiest, Dan Futterman | | Director:
| Mike Nichols | | Format:
| Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Dubbed, Subtitled, Full length, Widescreen, NTSC | | Language:
| English, French, Spanish | | Subtitle:
| English, Spanish, French | | Number of Discs:
| 1 | | Studio:
| MGM (Video & DVD) | | Run Time:
| 117 minutes | | DVD Release Date:
| March 26, 1997 | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 172 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
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 Slightly Below the MarkJul 31, 2010
Despite the tinkering and tweaking by director Mike Nichols and screenwriter Elaine May, "The Birdcage" (1996) is inferior to the original French movie "La Cage au Folles," and yet another example of "If it ain't broken, don't fix it." Nathan Lane is particularly good in this version and Robin Williams isn't half bad, but it still misses the mark.
Gene Hackman has a thankless part and the topical political references and up-dating detract from the original rather than add to it. Hackman apparently wanted his part padded because he has some lines at the South Beach apartment when he's alone with his wife that are unnecessary and add nothing to the plot. The move to Miami's South Beach, I think, was an unnecessary move. This movie was done after Jerry Herman's musical had been quite a success, but this movie didn't seem to benefit from it.
Making the gay couple Jewish is an added element to the plot which is unneeded. Nathan Lane has one temper tantrum too many which contributes some tedium to the film. While the Hackman family are visiting the South Beach apartment, the plot slows down and the pace really slackens. There is one joyous musical section in which Hackman dances with Lane believing she is his future son-in-law's mother.
I think without Nathan Lane's comic genius, the film would be a real bummer compared to the original. The movie has its entertaining moments, and the scene in which Robin Williams tries to teach Lane to butter his toast like a man and walk like John Wayne are still hilarious.
At first we think Albert (Starina) is right about his lover Armand two-timing him with a younger man, but the young man turns out to be Armand's son. When the son objects to his father's flamboyant gestures, Armand says, "I'm a middle-aged fag. It took me twenty years to get here" and he's proud of it.
See the original French version and by all means see the new Broadway revival of the musical which originated in London at the tiny but very influential Menier Chocolate Factory theater. The musical stars Kelsey Grammer as Georges and Douglas Hodge as Albin. Hodge from the London production won a Tony and proved by his powerful acting skills how poignant and powerful the show could be. I have seen numerous versions of the show, and this new stage version is the best one I've seen.
 Robin!Jul 23, 2010
Gene Hackman in drag!
Is that funny or what?
Williams is hilarious in this film and Nathan Lane is perfect!
I busted a gut watching this!
Sure DO Look "Purdy"May 21, 2010
DVD came quickly, and although I have not had time to watch the movie - appreciated the fast delivery.
Anglo America Problem. !Apr 13, 2010
Delivery was excellent ~ 2 weeks ahead of time. !
Unfortunately, this DVD is not compatible for showing outside of America. !
I feel it would be too much trouble to return and claim a refund ~ even if this were possible.
If any American resident would like a very funny DVD for free ~ contact me
at joe@ecoolingsystems.com
First come first served.
I Love This Movie!Apr 05, 2010
I absolutely love this movie more and more each time! I had to own this!
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