The Birdcage ** (1996, Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Dan Futterman, Calista Flockhart, Dianne Wiest) – Classic Movie Review 7226

Elaine May (born 21 April 1932) made her first showbiz splash back in the Fifties performing as Nichols and May in improvisational comedy routines with her performing partner Mike Nichols. But they broke up in 1961 and it was not until 35 years later in 1996 that they worked together again when he directed her screenplay for The Birdcage (based on a stage play by Jean Poiret). However, that turns out not to be a good thing.

The Birdcage is a hugely popular and well meaning but ill-advised, out-of-its-time remake of Édouard Molinaro’s rather rancid French comedy La Cage aux Folles (1978), which was already well past its sell-by date. Likeable leads Robin Williams and Nathan Lane are exuberantly embarrassing as gay South Miami Beach drag nightclub owner Armand Goldman and his long-time lover and wife Albert, who stars there as star drag queen Starina.

Their supposed son Val (Dan Futterman), who is Armand’s child by his one straight fling 20 years earlier, announces his engagement to Barbara (Calista Flockhart), daughter of Senator Kevin Keeley (Gene Hackman), a founder of the Committee for Moral Order. When the Senator and Mrs Keeley (Dianne Wiest) arrive to meet Val and his parents, Armand and wife agree to pose as straight husband and wife so Val can introduce them to the prospective in-laws.

Shameful, shambolic comic chaos follows in a movie that wrong-foots all these extremely talented people involved. Williams and Lane camp around shamelessly. The sight of Hackman in drag is the stuff of nightmares. However, nobody is quite as bad as Hank Azaria, playing Agador, the flaming butler.

Nothing is sacred. Albert (Nathan Lane) dresses in drag as Judy Garland from the film A Star Is Born (1954).

It was Oscar nominated for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (Bo Welch, Cheryl Carasik). Mysteriously, It was Golden Globe nominated for Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical and Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical (Nathan Lane).

Elaine May with performing partner Mike Nichols in 1958.

May’s screenwriting has been twice nominated for an Academy Award, for Heaven Can Wait (1978) and the Nichols-directed Primary Colors (1998). But Ishtar (1987) brought her down.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7226

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