The Birdcage (1996)

Director: Mike Nichols

Starring: Robin Wiliams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Dianne Wiest

A gay cabaret owner and his drag queen companion agree to put up a false straight front so that their son can introduce them to his fiancée’s right-wing moralistic parents.

Not many gay-themed movies get mainstream releases (because they’re generally boring and predictable) but thanks to a stellar cast and a truly funny script, ‘The Birdcage’ certainly got what it deserved.

I generally don’t enjoy gay-themed movies for their predictability – or comedies for that matter – but I absolutely loved ‘The Birdcage’. Robin Williams stars as cabaret club owner Armand, who – together with his life partner Albert (excellently portrayed by Nathan Lane) – live a flamboyant lifestyle. When Armand’s son, Val (Dan Futterman) is about to get married to a conservative senator’s daughter, though, their lives are about to change – with hilarious consequences!

‘The Birdcage’ is laugh-out-loud funny – thanks also to the brilliant cast. Nathan Lane and Hank Azaria (as their houseboy Agador) are hysterical!! And Robin Williams is a feast for the eyes with that hairy chest, which he loves flaunting to absolutely no complaints from my side!

I loved the characters, the premise, the script, the fantastic performances, and the set design. This is undoubtedly one of my favourite gay-themed movies, as well as one of my favourite comedies. It’s absolutely fabulous, darling!!

‘The Birdcage’ earned $185 million on a $31 million budget. It received 32 award nominations, including an Oscar nomination for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration.

Would I watch it again? Oh, yes, darling, absolutely!