La Cage Aux Folles (1978)

Director: Édouard Molinaro

Starring: Ugo Tognazzi, Michel Serrault, Claire Maurier

The manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, and his star attraction, are a gay couple. Madness ensues when his straight son brings home a fiancée and her ultra-conservative parents to meet them.

If you’re familiar with ‘The Birdcage’ starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, there hardly is a need to tell you what ‘La Cage Aux Folles’ is about. ‘The Birdcage’ literally is a copy/paste remake of ‘La Cage Aux Folles’.

Renato Baldi and Albin Mougeotte are a gay couple who owns a nightclub, where Albin is the main attraction as a drag performer. Renato has a 20-year old son, Laurent, who unexpectedly announces his engagement to Andrea – the daughter of Simon Charrier, secretary-general of a political party called Union for Moral Order.

After a scandal within the Union of Moral Order (the President was found dead in the arms of an underage black prostitute), Andrea’s mother, Louise, believes a white wedding might restore their image of family values. There’s only one problem: Simon and Louise can’t find out Laurent’s parents are a gay couple, so now Renato has to conceal his homosexuality, and redecorate his flamboyant apartment.

This is hilarious look at pretense, and the fine line between morals and embracing your authentic self. Although I enjoyed the movie, I do prefer ‘The Birdcage’ with superb performances by Robin Williams and Nathan Lane.

‘La Cage Aux Folles’ received Oscar nominations for Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Costume Design.

In French.

Would I watch it again? No. I’d rather watch ‘The Birdcage’.