The Birdcage (1996)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Mike Nichols

Writers (WGA):

Jean Poiret (play)
Francis Veber (earlier screenplay) ...

Release Date:

8 March 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Music

Tagline:

Come as you are.

Plot:

A gay cabaret owner and his drag queen companion agree to put up a false straight front so that their son can introduce them to his fiancé's right-wing moralistic parents.

Plot Keywords:

Only Son | Female Impersonator | Father Son Relationship | Drag | Miami Beach

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 5 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

Robin Williams	...	Armand Goldman
Gene Hackman	...	Sen. Kevin Keeley
Nathan Lane	...	Albert Goldman
Dianne Wiest	...	Louise Keeley
Dan Futterman	...	Val Goldman
Calista Flockhart	...	Barbara Keeley
Hank Azaria	...	Agador
Christine Baranski	...	Katherine Archer
Tom McGowan	...	Harry Radman
Grant Heslov	...	National Enquirer Photographer
Kirby Mitchell	...	Keeley's Chauffeur
James Lally	...	Cyril
Luca Tommassini	...	Celsius
Luis Camacho	...	Goldman Girl
Andre Fuentes	...	Goldman Girl

Also Known As:

Birds of a Feather
Birdcage (Finland) (video title) [fi]
Birdcage (France) [fr]
Birdcage - lånta fjädrar (Sweden) [sv]
Cabaret în familie (Romania) [ro]
Cage aux folles, La (Canada: French title) (TV title) [fr]
Cage de ma tante, La (Canada: French title) [fr]
Casa de Doidas (Portugal) [pt]
Ftera kai poupoula (Greece) [el]
Jaula de grillos, Una (Spain) [es]
Jaula de las locas, La (Venezuela) [es]
Jaula de los pajaros, La (Argentina) [es]
Klatka dla ptaków (Poland) [pl]
Kus kafesi (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Lånta fjädrar (Finland: Swedish title) [sv]
Lainahöyhenissä (Finland) [fi]
Madárfészek (Hungary) [hu]
Piume di struzzo (Italy) [it]
Pticja kletka (Slovenia) [sl]
The Birdcage - A Gaiola das Loucas (Brazil) [pt]
The Birdcage - Ein Paradies für schrille Vögel (Germany) [de]

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS

Certification:

Brazil:14 | Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | South Korea:18 | Philippines:PG-13 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:12 (bw) | Netherlands:AL | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | UK:15 | USA:R | Singapore:R(A) | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Art Deco District, Miami Beach, Florida, USA

Company:

Nichols

Trivia:

The Jonathan Swift piece about Irish peasants eating their babies that Val refers to is "A Modest Proposal".

Goofs:

Continuity: In the 'How 'bout those Dolphins?' scene, Armand teaches Albert how to be a man. While sitting at a table, the positioning of sugar packets on the table changes.

Quotes:

[first lines]
[singers are performing "We Are Family" on-stage]
Cyril: [backstage, into a telephone] Agador! Where is Starina? She goes on in 5 minutes!

Movie Connections:

References A Star Is Born (1954)

Soundtrack:

SAY IT AGAIN

Absolutely Fabulous

This movie is one of the best. Robin Williams and Nathan Lane are phenomenal and hilarious, but the best performance throughout the film is by Hank Azaria, as Agador, the adorable flaming butler. My favorite scene is when both families are sitting together eating dinner. I don't want to give anything away, but wow I was in tears. Gene Hackman is extremely funny as a conservative senator. This film is colorful, unique and will keep an audience roaring with laughter. Yes, the movie follows some typical stereo types among a gay male couple, however, is not offensive in anyway, shape or form. I think this is such a cute film, and if you haven't seen it, or if you happen to be in the mood for a laugh out loud movie rent The Birdcage.

My Rating: 9/10