Rating: 
Summary: What...a...Fam...mill...lee!!!
Review: This one of very few films which I find more entertaining each time I see it again. (The others include Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Singin' in the Rain, and Young Frankenstein.) Directed by Mike Nichols, working with a script written by Elaine May, its major characters are Armand Goldman (Robin Williams), Albert Goldman when not performing as "Starina" (Nathan Lane), Senator Keeley (Gene Hackman) and his wife Louise (Diane Wiest), and Agador Spartacus (Hank Azaria). Most of those who have seen this film since it appeared in 1996 probably know that it is (somewhat) based on La Cage Aux Folles, a play written by Jean Poiret and then a film directed by Edouard Molinaro. (Actually, knowing all this neither adds to nor detracts from what Nichols and his associates achieve.) In fact, the basic dramatic situation can be traced back more than 2,000 years to classical "comedies of error." The plot line is rather straightforward. Val Goldman (Dan Futterman) informs his gay parents that he is in love and intends to marry the Keeleys' daughter, Katherine (Calista Flockhart). Most of the film focuses on a celebration dinner party in the Goldmans' home, above their nightclub, The Birdcage. Nichols brilliantly manipulates the plot (such as it is) to create a series of hilarious situations in which the Goldmans attempt to deceive the Keeleys and thereby not jeopardize their beloved son's marriage. When I think of the body of Nichols' work as a director, I am amazed by his versatiulity. (Consider his treatment of marital issues in The Birdcage juxaposed with those in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? or The Graduate. Consider how much mileage he got out of the relatively thin plot in Working Girl.) Somehow, he seems to evoke a quality and complexity of performance from his actors that they seldom (if ever) achieve in films directed by others. Gene Hackman is a case in point. His portrayal of Senator Keeley is fully-conceived but entirely in comic terms. (Why has his talent for comedy been so seldom utilized? It is only briefly suggested in Unforgiven and somewhat more evident in The Royal Tannenbaums. The same is true of Rod Steiger and George C. Scott.) In many of his roles, I think Williams impersonates rather than inhabits his character. Not so in this film. He is at all times under control and thus in control as Armand Goldman struggles to support and protect those whom he loves. As the loyal but incompoetent houseboy/cook/butler Agador Spartacus, Azaria almost steals the film from his talented colleagues. Obviously not true but so it appears, Nichols seems to direct his actors without effort. His sense of timing and pace is flawless. This film is great fun. Granted, it contains some clever social satire of hypocrisy, homophobia, self-serving politics, etc. It also includes several touching moments as when Armond attempts to reassure Albert of his fidelity and when Katherine (Christine Baranski) tries so hard to help make a favorable impression on her son's prospective in-laws. However, the film's primary purpose is to entertain
and it does so without breaking any bones...or hearts. How refreshing! Indeed.... "C'est magnifique!"
Rating: 
Summary: Better than popeye the sailor
Review: Robin Williams is a talented guy, can do comedy and serious. This is not one for the family. The general theme here has been done better elsewhere. This is a 3 star -GOOD- movie, but I dropped it 1 star for the family friendliness factor.
Rating: 
Summary: Politically incorrect, but rightfully so...
Review: The basis of this comedy is handled so well by it's cast, one often forgets just how politically incorrect this film is. Robin Williams and Nathan Lane play a gay couple who own a drag club in Florida. Their son Val is getting married to a beautiful young lady who just so happens to be a senator's daughter. Their first reaction is shock. They cannot believe their son is straight. But Williams' character, Armand, soon comes to accept this fact. But there's a problem: the girl, Barbara, and her conservative parents are coming to visit. Armand must act straight in order to save his son's marriage. And how are they going to get the overly flamboyant Albert (Lane) out of the house? This is a film that rises to sheer hilarity, but never for one minute becomes cruel or bitter. Barb and Val love each other sincerely, just as Armand and Albert do. Armand and Albert disagree often, but they do love each other and are proud of their sexuality. Even Gene Hackman's character, the ultra-conservative senator, comes to understand and accept the two as people. Nathan Lane, who is gay in real life, provides the film with the most laughs. His character Albert is instantly lovable if not overly dramatic and there are times when the audience really does feel like he's really a woman trapped in a man's body. He's the most lovable of the characters. I think this movie should be viewed by everyone. Gay love is not sick or wrong. It's much the same as hetero love. It should be allowed. Now, to calm any questions, I am not gay. But I do believe that they are people and should be treated fairly. I'm glad this movie isn't afraid to shock at some moments. I'm also glad this movie exposes gay love they way it does hetero love, while still being absolutely hilarious.
Rating:
Summary: "Sweetie, you're wasting your gum!"
Review: In 1996, Mike Nichols (director of the 1967 film "The Graduate") directed and produced the film "The Birdcage", an American remake of one of the best known French comedic films of all time, "La Cage aux folles" (1978). Named after a fictitious gay nightclub of the same name in South Beach, Florida, the film stars Robin Williams as the nightclub's owner, Armand Goldman. Also starring is Nathan Lane as Armand's partner of 20 years, Albert, who is known by nightclub patrons as the Birdcage's main star named Starina. Their home, located above the nightclub in the same building, is taken care of by their servant Agador (Hank Azaria). One night while Albert is performing, Armand gives the night off to Agador so that he can have a private meeting with a young man who turns out to be his 20-year old son Val (Dan Futterman). Val has returned from college to announce that he is planning to get married. Val's fiancée, Barbara Keeley (Calista Flockhart), is the daughter of the ultra-conservative, right-wing U.S. Senator Kevin Keeley (Gene Hackman) and his wife Louise Keeley (Dianne Wiest). Afraid to tell her parents whom Val's parents really are, Barbara makes up stories about them to make them sound more appealing. When an unforeseen circumstance places Senator Keeley into a very unwanted negative media spotlight, Louise views the impending marriage between Barbara and Val as a means to restore their family's integrity. To the dismay of Val, the Keeley's decide to immediately travel to South Beach to meet Val and his parents. To save Val's engagement, Armand reluctantly agrees to pretend to be the person that Barbara described to her parents. Val also wants his parent's home to appear less flamboyant and for Albert not to be there. Some viewers of "The Birdcage" considered the film's portrayal of gay men to be too stereotypical and offensive, and some were put off by Val's selfishness; but most viewers find the characters (especially Albert) to be endearing and funny. Some of the best scenes in the film include Albert's argument with Armand about a palimony agreement, Albert rehearsing with Celsius (Luca Tommassini), Armand trying to teach Albert how to act manly, the arrival of 'Mrs. Coleman' (Albert pretending to be Val's mother), Senator Keeley dancing with 'Mrs. Coleman', the arrival of Katherine Archer (Christine Baranski, who plays Val's birth-mother) and the Keeley's secretive departure from the nightclub. Other characters contributing to the film include National Enquirer reporter Harry Radman (Tom McGowan), his photographer (Grant Heslov) and the Keeley's Chauffeur (Kirby Mitchell). Overall, I rate "The Birdcage" with 5 out of 5 stars for its constant humor, wonderful acting (especially Nathan Lane and Gene Hackman) and engaging story. The film also demonstrates that families with gay parents can be just as positive (if not more so) than nuclear families. The film received an Oscar nomination for Best Set Decoration. It also received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Comedic/Musical Film. Nathan Lane, who practically became a household name thanks to this film, received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Comedic/Musical Motion Picture. I cannot guarantee that you will enjoy the film if you haven't seen it, but chances are very good that you will find it very entertaining and funny. Therefore, I highly recommend watching it at least once.
Rating:
Summary: absolutely hilarious!!!
Review: Robin Williams and Nathan Lane are a homosexual couple who run a gay venue in Miami. Williams was briefly married before and has an adult son, Val, who has announced his engagement to Barbara (a pre-Ally McBeal Calista Flockhart). Barbara's father is a well-known congressman who has been caught in the midst of a political scandal, and her parents have decided that a "big white wedding" of their only daughter will stop any gossip and scandal, and distract the public nicely. So it is on Williams and Lane to produce a heterosexual Beaver Cleaver-ish household to host this wedding. This involves complete redecorating, learning new mannerisms, and finding Val's mother to produce the female component to a straight marriage. This leaves the diva Lane feeling peckish, but he'll prevail!!! Also notable is Hank Azaria as their housekeeper. The greatest scene by far is when they all gather by the piano and start belting out "I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady and the couples start dancing, each discussing what is going on. It is a trip!
Rating: 
Summary: This is so FUNNY!
Review: This is a really nasty movie about gay people. 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 plays their daughter in a culture-clash with outrageous consequences. This is a definate must see for anyone with taste and anyone in need of a good laugh.
Rating:
Summary: walk like a man.....
Review: this movie is one of the most hilarious i've ever seen! Robin Williams gives an excellent performance as Armand, the gay owner of the nightclub "The Birdcage." Hank Azaria plays the outrageous "Agador Spartacus." And Nathan Lane, in one of his most brilliant roles, plays Albert, Armand's drag queen partner. You should get this movie just to see the scene where Armand teaches Albert to act like a man. You'll be laughing so hard you'll cry! Other good actors in the movie are Gene Hackman, Dianne Wiest, and Calista Flockhart.
Rating:
Summary: Why Does the Caged Bird Sing....?
Review: This review refers to MGM DVD edition of "The Birdcage"..... Those eyes!...those sighs!...those thighs!....Who are we talking about here? Marilyn? Raquel? maybe even Jay Lo? Nope. None of the above. We're talkin Nathan Lane, who is simply mahvelous darling as the one, the only.. "Starina!", star attraction at South Beach, Florida's gay cabaret "The Bird Cage". Directed by Mike Nichols(The Graduate/Primary Colors), with a brillant screenplay by Elaine May,and a cast that will knock your socks off, this update of Jean Poiret's play "La Cage Aux Folles" will have you laughing out loud from the first to the last frame of this wonderful film. Armand Goldman(Robin Williams),owner of the lavish nightclub, and his long time lover and companion Albert(Nathan Lane) are about to have some company. The ultra conservative parents of Armand's son's fiancee are going to pay a little visit. Senator and Mrs. Keeley (Gene Hackman/Dianne Wiest)are under the impression that "The Colemans"(as they've been told)are an all American family and Dad is the "Cultural Attache to Greece"("whatever that is?"). Having been involved in a bit of a scandel, the Senator feels that this wedding will be the perfect scenario to refresh his reputation. Meanwhile...Armand is frantically trying to tone down his gaudy place,and add some masculinity to his appearance. And then there's Albert! What to do with the extremely feminine Albert?
The laugh's are non-stop as these two families meet and try to impress each other.This is one dinner party you don't want to miss, as dinner is served up by "Agador Spartacus"(Hank Azaria),the Guatamalan "Houseboy" who will have you in stiches. The cast, which was awarded The Screen Actors Guild Outstanding Performance by a cast, also includes Chritine Baranski,Calista Flockhart, and Dan Futterman. Nathan Lane and Dianne Wiest also recieved honors from The American Comedy Awards.The music, choreography and costumes are terrific as well. I haven't seen any better quality on a DVD. The picture and colors are bright and beautiful. The sound is marvelous with all the great music coming through tremendously in the 5.1 Dol Dig Surround. It may also be viewed in French or Spanish(both in Stereo), and has subtitles in all three languages as well.Other than the theatrical trailer, there are no special features on the disc itself, but it does come with a great little booklet that has production notes and a look at the making of the film. So why does the caged bird sing?...cause it's so darn much fun in "The Birdcage"......have fun...Laurie
Rating:
Summary: I am Starina!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I don't know where to begin. This is my very favorite movie of all time. I just put the DVD in when I want to cheer up, just like putting on a favorite CD. My children tell me that I am just like Nathan Lane in this movie, i. e. "weeping" over old family photos, "time passes so quickly" and "I've yo-yo'd from a 6 to a 16 without a single word of validation..." I can only say that this is THE best comedy I've seen in years. The cast is absolutely perfect. Robin Williams is exquisite. Nathan Lane is "adorable, young and full of hope" and Hank Azaria as Agidor Spartacus? A triumph! (like the schnecken...) Gene Hackman, Diane Wiest...all absolutely perfect. I am keeping my fingers crossed for a sequel but I am not too hopeful. Oh well...my dinner is almost ready. Time for some wine. "I only drink red...and so do you."
Rating: 
Summary: Attrocious
Review: I labored to get through this film. I have a sense of humor, but this film was devoid of anything resembling humor. Nathan Lane is one of the most overrated actors on the planet. He isn't funny at all, period. The story in this was predictable and silly. I did find Pricilla Queen of the Desert to be a much better film than this one, I laughed alot at that film. The Birdcage should get pooped on.
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