The Birdcage (1996)
The Birdcage (1996)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic 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.
The Birdcage Photos
Movie Info
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Cast
as Armand Goldman
as Albert/Starina
as Sen. Keeley
as Louise Keeley
as Val Goldman
as Barbara Keeley
as Agador
as Katharine
as Harry Radman
as Photographer
as Chauffeur
as Cyril
as Celsius
as Goldman Girl
as Goldman Girl
as Goldman Girl
as Goldman Girl
as Goldman Girl
as Goldman Girl
as Waiter in Club
as TV Woman in Van
as TV Man in Van
as Club Hostess
as Fishmonger
as Bakery Man
as Senator Eli Jackson
as Rabbi
as TV Host
as TV Host
as Keeley's Maid
as Black Girl On TV
as Goldman Girls
as TV Reporter
as TV Reporter
as TV Reporter
as TV Reporter
as State Trooper
as Waiter in Cafe
as TV Reporter
as Big Guy in Park
as Waiter In Cafe
as Katharine's Secretary
as TV Editor
as TV Editor
as Latino Man In Club
as Matron
as Matron
as Goldman Girls
as Pastor
News & Interviews for The Birdcage
Critic Reviews for The Birdcage
All Critics (47) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (37) | Rotten (10) | DVD (2)
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.
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.
The Birdcage is a scream.
It doesn't so much champion diversity as celebrate conformity.
A glossy miscalculation with Nathan Lane and Robin Williams.
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.
Audience Reviews for The Birdcage
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.
Super Reviewer
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.
Super Reviewer
GURL! You gotta see it! So many one-liners, I can't even begin to rattle them off.
Super Reviewer
The Birdcage Quotes
| Armand Goldman: | Its like riding a psycotic horse into a burning barm |
| Armand Goldman: | Its like riding a psychotic horse into a burning barn. |
| Armand Goldman: | I see. You're going to the cemetery with your toothbrush. How Egyptian. |
| Albert Goldman / Starina: | I know what you're thinking: dress like this, I'm even more obvious. |
| Albert Goldman / Starina: | Tannins?! |
| Albert Goldman / Starina: | Tannins? |
| Armand Goldman: | You do an eclectic celebration of the dance! You do Fosse, Fosse, Fosse! You do Martha Graham, Martha Graham, Martha Graham! Or Twyla, Twyla, Twyla! Or Michael Kidd, Michael Kidd, Michael Kidd, Michael Kidd! Or Madonna, Madonna, Madonna!... but you keep it all inside. |
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