X
- 1996
- R
- United Artists
- 1 h 57 m
- 1996
- R
- United Artists
- 1 h 57 m
Summary Mike Nichols remakes "La Cage Aux Folles." The comedy features a flamboyant gay couple (Williams and Lane) who attempt to "play it straight" for their son's prospective in-laws.
Directed By: Mike Nichols
- 1996
- R
- United Artists
- 1 h 57 m
- 1996
- R
- United Artists
- 1 h 57 m
The Birdcage
71
7.6
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Summary Mike Nichols remakes "La Cage Aux Folles." The comedy features a flamboyant gay couple (Williams and Lane) who attempt to "play it straight" for their son's prospective in-laws.
Directed By: Mike Nichols
Where to Watch
Coming Soon
Not available in your country?
ExpressVPN
Get 3 Extra months free
$6.67/mth
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 18 Critic Reviews
71
78% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
22% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 18 Critic Reviews
71
78% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
22% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
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.
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 78 User Ratings
7.6
77% Positive
60 Ratings
60 Ratings
22% Mixed
17 Ratings
17 Ratings
1% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 78 User Ratings
7.6
77% Positive
60 Ratings
60 Ratings
22% Mixed
17 Ratings
17 Ratings
1% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Feb 28, 2025
Absolutely delightful, exciting and entertaining, “The Birdcage” is able to tackle real, ever-present human matters head on, the way a college lineman would. Although aspects of the plot are a little questionable, character behavior is incredibly relatable; mirroring that of mainstream family struggle. Birdcage’s script is grounded in believable human conflict and heightened by its relentless humor and playfulness. I cannot understate how difficult it is to nail comedy. “The Birdcage” is genuinely funny, and that’s saying a lot, especially in a sea of endless film and television which is either unwilling or unable to present its case or make light of it. Adapted from the French theatre play by Jean Poiret, director and producer Mike Nichols does a handsome job of it by bringing the scene to South Beach and applying an American political twist to the tale. Although often over the top, I find my gay friends laughing and enjoying this production. Robin Williams and Hank Azaria do their utter best to accurately portray homosexuality in a “straight man” and comedic light respectively. Nathan Lane is the centerpiece of this film and is absolutely stunning; energized and electrifying in his performance. There are honest moments of simply being in this film, thanks to the wonderful cast and the director allowing. The true power behind this movie, however, is writer Elaine May, who has often collaborated with Nichols and has even worked with greats such as Neil Simon. “The Birdcage” has the pacing of Spielberg, the detail of David Fincher and, most importantly, a true, Billy Wilder level of comedic understanding; making this film peak cinema, an unforgettable classic and excellent viewing material for any fun get together.
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Jul 2, 2020
I hated this movie when I first saw it as a gay teen. Although I was flamboyant it brought to light all the stereotypes and characteristics I was ashamed off. Since than I've learned to enjoy it. And revisiting it now I find it absolutely hilarious. Sure the movie is filled with stereotypes but its celebrated and in a time where we are being more open minded and exploring the film is a positive representation of being ones self and loving yourself for it. Robin Williams and Nathan Kane are beyond spectacular, Hank Azaria is a scene stealer, and Gene Hackman, Diane Ladd, Calista Flockhart, Christine Baranski and sexy Dan Futternan are solid as well. All these years later the film stands as not just an amazing comedy but a lesson in acceptance and celebration. Budget: $31m
Box Office: $185.3m 10/10
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A spirited remake of the French drag farce, has everything in place, from eyeliner to one-liner.
If it weren't so darned "sincere" this would be an unmitigated bird-brained delight, but it undoubtedly remains a genial crowd pleaser.
This drag comedy is aimed squarely at middle America, where these cuddly queens should play very well -- just so long as nobody remembers that gay people don't just sing show tunes and cook delightful meals; they also have sex.
By Staff (Not credited) FULL REVIEW
Aug 18, 2014
I've always loved Robin Williams and in light of his recent tragic passing it thought it would be a great idea so revisit some of his movies. This one, i came across from a family members suggestion. I've never heard of it, so i said what the hell. Spectacular movie. Everything was laid out perfectly in my eyes. There was a good amount of humor, serious family issues came up that made me think of my own future (being a lesbian with a partner and kids) and how i want it to be, how i want my children to react to the issues that arose, how i DON'T want them to react... etc. It was truly delightful and a joy to watch, even a little suspense waiting on certain things to come about. A must watch. Beautifully made. Big Bravo!
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Aug 25, 2019
What could have been another mixture of an exaggerated dysfunctional family sketch, instead ends up being real. The Birdcage Nichols dramatizes the joke with utmost sincerity. Something that we lack in this day and generation. It is always advised to completely dive and commit yourself to the absurdity of the comical world that you represent. One of the finest examples is Will Ferrell in Jon Favreau's Elf. The silliness is the usual, call it a baggage or an armor, thing that you carry in your body language but the sheer childish madness that Ferrell has conjured is what makes the film and the character so iconic. And it is not that the director Mike Nichols doesn't have someone as enthusiastically committing as Ferrell, if anything, he has the king of all, he has Robin Williams in his film. Yet, only for once does Williams get to showcase his comic skills which too is a part of act that he channels to mock Albert his hyper emotional partner played mesmerizingly by Nathan Lane. And the film stays reserved till the credits starts rolling, it is one of its best assets. Hence, this dramatic version of a comical situation is what keeps you awake in a what could be a riot of laughter; which by the way there aren't any. Not to say it isn't funny, the jokes are smart, the one liners follows a slapstick humor which then is followed by a plenty of medicinal talk. Aforementioned, Nathan Lane comes off as a rise and shine hero in this pragmatic world since he is on your face the whole time. In a good way. His character has to be and is over-the-top. An actor wouldn't miss a chance to let go off such a golden opportunity and you can see Lane holding tight to it dearly. The Birdcage is defined to me in that montage sequence of Williams preparing Lane for a ruffian John Wayne role, but that definition is only completed when Lane, after the training, walks out in front of us, sits and looks right at us, an actor.
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Mar 11, 2025
Sparkled with great energy, Birdcage was a mixed-bag comedy that at times delivered the goods, while at times felt stale. Directed as a stage play farse that moves between only a couple of rooms through most of the runtime Birdcage offers a great premise. A gay couple's young son, from the affair of the "father" that happened before he met his "wife" Albert, is marrying a girl from a very conservative family, whose father is a republican senator. Right from the get-go you know that those families meeting will spell trouble. When they do meet it's hilarious and inventive, and you are kept on the edge as when the curtains will fall, and all will break lose. The problem is that they meet rather late, deep into the second hour of the film. The wait, and the preparation, mostly with Robin Williams's character chasing Nathan Lane's fantastically portrait, and at times a tad bit annoying Albert that continues to have his drama queen outbursts, and Gene Hackman's character escaping cameras amid the controversy brought on by his dead friend is by far less interesting. It's one of those films where you know what is going to be the best part, it's clear from very early on, but you are just kept waiting for unfortunately far too long. Thankfully great actors all around make it engaging enough through that first half, that you are still excited for the film's premise to finally fulfill itself. At the end of the day, it's a film that celebrates diversity, and different people uniting together over the love of their children. You can't fault it for that. If the premise intrigues you, it's surely not a waste of time, in fact mostly it's a good time.
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Production Company
- United Artists
Release Date Mar 8, 1996
Duration 1 h 57 m
Rating R
Genres
Tagline Outline description of film
Awards
Golden Globes, USA
• 2 Nominations
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Nomination
American Comedy Awards, USA
• 2 Wins & 4 Nominations
