Tries not to offend (The Birdcage (DVD))

Name: grahamt

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Product:	The Birdcage (DVD)
Date:	13/12/00 (27 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Mildly entertaining...

Disadvantages: ...if you've nothing better to watch

I have to admit I've put off watching this film for some time. The plot sounded like it would not be something that would entertain me. Two middle-aged gays try to act straight to impress the prospective in-laws of the son of one of them.

With a star cast including Robin Williams and Gene Hackman, directed by Mike Nichols and a screenplay by Elaine May, based on the original French play "La Cage aux Folle", the credentials at least are good.

I finally saw it last night and quite enjoyed it, though this is no masterpiece.

The whole film is very lightweight and lacks any of the real grittyness of the French original. All of the characters try just a bit too hard to be likeable, even the ultra right-wing Senator Keeley (Gene Hackman), the potential father-in-law.

Armand Goldman (Robin Williams) is the owner of a gay nightclub in Florida and lives with Albert, the club's star turn, stage name Starina.

Armand had a one-night-stand twenty years ago with Katherine (Christine Baranski), "to see what it was all about", which resulted in Val, his son, who he has raised but unlike his father is straight.

Val has fallen for Barbara Keeley (Calista Flockhart of Allie McBeal), daughter of a Republican senator of extreme views, even for a Republican. The Senator has had the shock of learning that his colleague has been found dead in the company of a black under-age prostitute. He is trying desperately to avoid the sensationalist press who are trying their hardest to see if they can find any dirt on him too.

The Keeleys have insisted in meeting Val's parents before condoning the union. But Val hasn't told the parents about his father. The rest of the film runs just this side of farce as events conspire to spill the beans.

There are some amusing scenes and overall the film does little to offend despite the gay and jewish jokes. The ending is a treat but doesn't imp
rove the film even so.

So, a so-so film. I've seen plenty worse. But I probably wouldn't watch it again.

Summary: