It’s Fri-YAY and that means a new addition to the ‘Friday Night Movies‘ series, where we spotlight films a new movie that we think is worthy of spending a night in on the couch. While we could roll out a different Robin Williams movie each and every week, tonight, we’re featuring ‘The Birdcage’, a 1996 comedy directed by Mike Nichols that’s guaranteed to tickle your funny bone and warm your heart. Why is ‘The Birdcage’ a must-watch for our series? It’s a vibrant celebration of love, family, and the joy of being true to oneself, all wrapped up in a hilarious, entertaining package.
Plot
Set in the lively South Beach area, ‘The Birdcage’ centres around Armand Goldman, the gay owner of a drag club, and his partner, the flamboyant Albert, who is the club’s star. Their life takes a turn when Armand’s son, Val, announces his engagement to Barbara, the daughter of ultra-conservative Senator Kevin Keeley. A political scandal involving Kevin’s colleague sends the Keeleys to South Beach to meet Val’s family. Val and Armand concoct a scheme to disguise their unconventional family to avoid controversy. The plot thickens with missteps and mishaps, culminating in a hilarious, heartwarming finale where acceptance and love triumph over pretence and prejudice.
Cast
The cast of ‘The Birdcage’ is led by the one and only Robin Williams as Armand Goldman, delivering a performance full of wit and heart. Nathan Lane shines as Albert, embodying the role with a perfect blend of over-the-top drama and comedy. Gene Hackman, as Senator Keeley, and Dianne Wiest, as his wife Louise, skillfully navigate the tightrope of humour and gravitas. The supporting cast, including Dan Futterman, Calista Flockhart, and Hank Azaria best known for his talented voice work on The Simpsons — almost steals the show as Agador Spartacus.
Reviews
Critically, ‘The Birdcage’ stands tall with an impressive 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, backed by a consensus that praises the amusing performances of Robin Williams and Nathan Lane — obviously. Audiences, too, have embraced the film warmly, as reflected in the 81% audience score. On IMDb, the film has garnered a respectable 7.2/10 rating, indicating its broad appeal and enduring popularity among viewers who appreciate its mix of comedy and heart.