The Birdcage (1996)

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:

Gay Lead Character | Female Impersonator | Gay Relationship | Only Son | Miami Beach

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 5 wins & 13 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Wed. Aug. 20	5:30 PM	AMC
Sat. Aug. 30	10:15 PM	AMC
Sun. Aug. 31	12:00 PM	AMC

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

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS

Certification:

South Korea:18 | Philippines:PG-13 | Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | Brazil:14 | 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:

Mike Nichols required that Nathan Lane and Robin Williams filmed at least one good take of each scene sticking to the script before he would allow them to improvise (something both of the two actors are known for)

Goofs:

The evening that Val arrives home, Albert comes upstairs in a fit. While screaming "Where is he? Where's your little Chippie," Albert throws a product of the stage skit at Armand and, as a result, the candle on the table goes out. In the next shot, the candle is lit again.

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:

Referenced in "Showbiz Today: (1996-05-15)" (1996)

Soundtrack:

WE ARE FAMILY

Don't believe anyone who says this film is bad!

I'm disappointed to see that some people can't appreciate the brilliance in this film! Robin Williams is on top form, with 'you're taking your toothbrush to the grave, how Egyptian' brilliantly improvised. Weiss is convincing in her role, as usual. Hackman is great, as usual, and Nathan Lane is overly feminate, as usual. Wonderfully cast and with a great script, it will please anyone with a sense of humour. I pity anyone who can't enjoy it, for whatever reason- homophobia, lack of intelligence, arrogance, narrow mindedness etc. I'll admit that originals are often better, but that doesn't stop this from being a film to be enjoyed. I recommend it to anyone looking for a good laugh, happy watching!

Louis Hartshorn, age 15