The Birdcage

1996

The Birdcage

Critics Consensus

Mike Nichols wrangles agreeably amusing performances from Robin Williams and Nathan Lane in this fun, if not quite essential, remake of the French comedy La Cage aux Folles.

79%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 48

81%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 104,922
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The Birdcage Photos

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Movie Info

Armand Goldman owns a popular drag nightclub in South Miami Beach. His long-time lover, Albert, stars there as Starina. "Their" son Val (actually Armand's by his one heterosexual fling, twenty years before) comes home to announce his engagement to Barbara Keeley, daughter of Kevin Keeley, US Senator, and co-founder of the Committee for Moral Order. The Senator and family descend upon South Beach to meet Val, his father and "mother." What ensues is comic chaos.
  • Rating:
    R (adult situations/language)
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Gay & Lesbian
  • Directed By:
    Mike Nichols
  • Written By:
    Elaine May
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    MGM Home Entertainment

Cast

Robin Williams
as Armand Goldman
Nathan Lane
as Albert/Starina
Gene Hackman
as Sen. Keeley
Dianne Wiest
as Louise Keeley
Dan Futterman
as Val Goldman
Calista Flockhart
as Barbara Keeley
Hank Azaria
as Agador
Christine Baranski
as Katharine
Tom McGowan
as Harry Radman
Grant Heslov
as Photographer
Kirby Mitchell
as Chauffeur
James Lally
as Cyril
Luca Tommassini
as Celsius
Luis Camacho
as Goldman Girl
Andre Fuentes
as Goldman Girl
Anthony Richard Gonzalez
as Goldman Girl
Dante Lamar Henderson
as Goldman Girl
Scott Kaske
as Goldman Girl
Kevin Alexander Stea
as Goldman Girl
Tim Kelleher
as Waiter in Club
Ann Cusack
as TV Woman in Van
Stanley DeSantis
as TV Man in Van
J. Roy Helland
as Club Hostess
Anthony Giaimo
as Fishmonger
Lee Delano
as Bakery Man
David Sage
as Senator Eli Jackson
Rabbi Robert K. Baruch
as Rabbi
Mike Kinsley
as TV Host
Tony Snow
as TV Host
Dorothy Constantine
as Keeley's Maid
Trina McGee-Davis
as Black Girl On TV
Andres Fuentes
as Goldman Girls
Barry Nolan
as TV Reporter
Amy Powell
as TV Reporter
Ron Pitts
as TV Reporter
Mary Major
as TV Reporter
Steven Porfido
as State Trooper
John D. Pontrelli
as Waiter in Cafe
Ronald Pitts
as TV Reporter
Herschel Sparber
as Big Guy in Park
John Pontrelli
as Waiter In Cafe
Francesca Cruz
as Katharine's Secretary
Brian Reddy
as TV Editor
Jim Jansen
as TV Editor
Al Rodrigo
as Latino Man In Club
Marjorie Lovett
as Matron
Sylvia Short
as Matron
Kevin Stea
as Goldman Girls
James H. Morrison
as Pastor
Madeleine Lee Gilford
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Critic Reviews for The Birdcage

All Critics (48) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (38) | Rotten (10)

  • This isn't the supreme masterpiece it might have been, but Nichols's direction is very polished and some of the lines and details are awfully funny.

    May 29, 2011 | Full Review…

    Jonathan Rosenbaum

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • If The Birdcage isn't exactly the Mike Nichols-Elaine May movie of our dreams, it does manage to transform what was formerly a campy bit of French fluff into one of the loopiest, most hysterical family-values movies ever made.

    May 27, 2011 | Full Review…

    Hal Hinson

    Washington Post
    Top Critic

  • The Birdcage is a scream.

    Mar 26, 2009

    Todd McCarthy

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • It doesn't so much champion diversity as celebrate conformity.

    Jun 24, 2006 | Full Review…
    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • A glossy miscalculation with Nathan Lane and Robin Williams.

    Jun 18, 2002 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    Edward Guthmann

    San Francisco Chronicle
    Top Critic

  • What makes Mike Nichols' version more than just a retread is good casting in the key roles, and a wicked screenplay by Elaine May, who keeps the original story but adds little zingers here and there.

    Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Roger Ebert

    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (48)

Audience Reviews for The Birdcage

  • Aug 20, 2014
    Accomplished comedy, The Birdcage is a well acted and directed picture that boasts a stunning cast of talented actors, a great story, a well thought out script and is a an engaging film that features a wonderful performance from late, great actor Robin Williams. Aside from Williams, there are plenty of great performances here, especially that of Hank Azaria. The story has a fine blend of comedy with serious overtones in a way that makes The Birdcage standout. The cast elevate the material, and under the direction of Mike Nichols, he crafts a near perfect film that relies on effective, memorable performances to really make this standout. We can see the result on-screen. The Birdcage works very well and is a fun, entertaining film that is funny, dramatic and features an impressive story that is sure to delight any viewer wanting a comedy with depth and great performances. The film may have few weak areas that could have been improved upon, but as a whole, the film has stronger points rather than weak points, and it's a film that embraces the fact that it has aspects that don't quite work, and runs with it due to the fact that a great portion of the material is well executed, and that the cast that director Nichols works with does so much to make the story and tone of the film be enjoyable for the viewer. The Birdcage may not be great cinema, but it's definitely one of those films that features a heartfelt, amusing performance by Robin Williams and with that being said, at least we have gems like this to revisit him even if he's gone. He was a talented comedian and actor, and he was able to adapt his unique style to any genre, and even if this film is a comedy, he added a serious angle to his role that just showed how great he really was.
    Alex r Super Reviewer
  • Aug 15, 2014
    With a deliciously flamboyant Nathan Lane stealing the scene and Robin Williams in a greatly nuanced composition, this fun comedy also boasts elaborate camera movements and knows really well how funny it is, not even resorting to any sort of cute music to underline its humor.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Aug 11, 2014
    There may be dated and stereotypical elements but the good more than outweighs the bad. Nichols' direction is superb while Lane and Williams play off each other brilliantly.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • May 14, 2013
    GURL! You gotta see it! So many one-liners, I can't even begin to rattle them off.
    Christian C Super Reviewer
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