I had never
seen The Birdcage before, so you can imagine my shock with the cast.
I thought, “What a weird combo.” Also, I am surprised that it took me this long
to hear about the movie.
Robin Williams
and Gene Hackman in a comedy movie about drag queens? What I was most curious
about was seeing Gene Hackman dressed up as a woman and performing.
I don’t want to drop a spoiler here, but we didn’t get the privilege of seeing
all that. What we did get, though, is a perfect dramedy. This movie has a cast
you’ll love, blended so perfectly that you’ll wish it never ends.
This wonderful
movie is a remake of the 1978 Italian film La Cage aux Folles. The
American version is highly rated and, if I may say so, one of the best Robin
Williams movies out there. The masterful performances of Williams and Hackman
put them above the rest in this movie—for lack of better words, “they owned
this flick.”
The movie also
addresses the issue of pretending to be someone else just to make others
comfortable. It’s something common in our society, but it’s not the way to go.
As Williams’ character learns, you can only keep up the act for so long.
Eventually, the mask comes off, and everyone sees who you really are. The best
thing is to just be yourself.
The movie tells
the story of a gay couple, Armand Goldman (Robin Williams) and Albert (Nathan
Lane), who have a son, Val (how Val came to be is something you’ll find out as
you watch). Val is getting married, and he and his fiancée, Barbara (Calista
Flockhart), lied to her parents about what Armand does for a living and didn’t
mention his sexuality at all. Val then tells his biological father (Robin
Williams) not to bring his partner, Albert, to the meeting of both parents.
Val goes even
further to solidify his lie and avoid the truth. He makes Armand change his
entire lifestyle and pretend to be straight to impress his future wife’s father
(Gene Hackman). As you can guess, things don’t go according to plan.
Aside from being
nominated for AFI’s 100 Years...100 Laughs, this movie was also a
commercial success. Unlike some overrated commercial successes, this movie was
worth every penny—and more—that it made.
This isn’t just a classic to see; it’s a classic to buy and keep it is worth
seeing over and over again.
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