Hi Sam, you're a true joy to watch as always! I've had the worse week. My family home caught on fire. I've lost all my things, including some of our pets. But this goofy video has somehow made me smile... Thank you. I just re-subscribed. I don't know your movie schedule but I would REALLY appreciate it if you can react to Cinderella (1997). It has Brandy and Whitney Houston in the cast with some familiar faces. It's one of my favorite movies. The Cast, the Songs, the Costumes! I think you would enjoy it too. Your reaction would be priceless. Anyway Thanks for the laughs. They were much needed and appreciated! Peace and Love ✌️💗
@@linthelonely8947 Oh my goodness. I’m so sorry for all of that insanity and that loss. That’s so terrible. At the very least you’re safe and unharmed. I’m so sorry about that though. Thank you for being here and for watching. I’m happy that I was able to put a smile on your face even during a terrible time. I post every Friday for sure, at 2pm EST on the dot. And I’m starting to post on Tuesday’s at 2pm EST as well. That will more solidly start in September, but I should have something for this Tuesday as well ♥️
Nathan Lane is one of the few actors who was actually able to go toe to toe with Robin Williams in improv, and they reportedly went so nuts in bouncing off each other and coming up with all kinds of material that director Mike Nichols wasn't prepared for that he eventually made them promise to do at least one take of every scene EXACTLY as scripted, before they could have their fun. To have been a fly on the wall on this set...
i worked in an AIDS hospice, I was the only straight person there, This was the only film the patients wanted to watch. It was always guaranteed to bring big belly laughs
The most touching moments to me are when Armin tells Albert "There's only one place I call home, and it's because you're there." And when Val finally comes to his senses and comes clean when he says he has only one mother, and says about Albert, " *This* is my mother."
Of course, if it hadn't been for the parents being conservative, he could have just said "Katherine is my birth mother but Albert is the mother that raised me". But the fact of them being so rock-ribbed is what creates all the comedy. It's a classic farce.
The Birdcage is a comfort movie for me. It's sweet, it's wholesome, it's funny and its great for rewatching. It's one of the best classic comedies of all time and somehow it still feels new.
It’s so lovely and sweet and kind and fun. Literally every time Nathan Lane squeals I laugh. I don’t know why but “I PIERCED THE TOAST!” makes me laugh hysterically every time. Lane’s over-the-top drama is just hilarious.
Love to see you watch this. I was a gay boy growing up in the 90s. It was a different world then. This movie was a mainstream, wildly popular, affirmation of our lives on the big screen. It changed whole communities, it perfectly shifted the image of gays as clowns or psychos so popular in the media of that time, to one of humanity and real family value. Robin Williams is a national treasure, and Nathan Lane absolutely SLAYED this role. Its so cool to see you watching this watershed moment of representation in our modern world!
I remember this movie was part of the shift in opinions in America. Like, oh they're just normal people like us! 🙄 Sounds dumb now, but it waa a big deal.
Fun fact: Robin Williams was originally supposed to play Nathan Lanes character but once he got the script he felt like he would be better suited for the other role and asked specifically for Nathan to play opposite him. Nathan has gone on the record several times about how honored he was that Robin advocated for his part in this film
funny fact, when Robin Williams slipped in the kitchen scene that wasn't scripted. He actually did slip and him calling out "It's okay, we're alright, it's fine!" was him telling the director to keep going that he was fine. If you watch the guy who played Val him and Robin at that point were trying not to laugh that's why the dialogue was faster.
Let me be the one to say, because he can't help but often get overshadowed by the incredible Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, but Gene Hackman was fantastic and quietly hysterical in this movie. (Plus he made for one ugly woman when he went in drag, which always cracked my mother up every single time.)
Ken Kesey wanted Hackman to play R.P. McMurphy in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." I think it would have been a much better film with Hackman in the role. Kesey refused to watch the movie.
@@davidr1050 Exactly!! Hank and Dan were trying their best to keep it in the whole time! I'm so glad they held it together because that is hands down my favorite scene in the movie.
Yep. Latch on to anything. The wonderful thing about this movie is that was made when people didn't have to identify themselves by what letters or goups or political affiliations they placed before their names. They left that to who they were. Not by their supposed "tribe".
And why shouldn't it be? It was a GREAT movie. It hit the issues the right way but it was still fun. Nowadays things seem to be done too seriously, and with bitterness.
I'd be surprised if it's still an iconic movie and not a subject of cancellation. I mean, how dare they, those movie makers! A straight man playing gay one! Creating a comedy out of cross dressing? The horror, the outrage.
The funny thing is, Williams was originally cast as Albert, who is much closer to his typical characters, with Steve Martin as Armand. But he wanted more of an acting challenge (especially since he'd already done a drag-heavy role just a few years earlier with Mrs. Doubtfire) so he asked to switch. And since Martin couldn't fit Albert very well, Lane was brought in, putting him in the odd position of being the only genuinely gay actor in the cast (though he was still closeted at the time).
It's RIDICULOUS that brilliant comic performances always get shunned at the Oscars. It's the absurd perception that comedic acting roles are somehow "lower level acting" and that only REAL skilled acting can be achieved through a dramatic character portrayal. There's been a few exceptions in the Supporting Actor category (i.e. Kevin Kline in A Fish Called Wanda).
@@thegorn68 There’s plenty of Oscar nominated and winning performances. I think Lane’s snub has more to do with attitude towards gay people in the 90s.
The Bird Cage is one of the best comedies ever made, and one of Robin Williams's best roles. Nathan Lane was amazing, and the rest of the cast were top-notch. Great movie!
Yea, so in my Teen years I was about as flamboyant as Albert and couldn't figure out why everyone just assumed I was gay until I saw this. I had a nice 'Oh fuck' moment.
Hank Azaria steals every scene for me! The accent is everything! 🤣🤣🤣 When he has to wear shoes! 🤣🤣🤣 If you haven't seen him in Mystery Men, it's a must see.
Shockingly, he’s not gay. He’s married to a woman. As a straight guy, I love it when a straight dude is comfortable enough with himself that he can play such a campy role effectively without a problem. I wore my little sister’s ballet dress once when I was about 7 or 8 and it was at that point I realized I was straight. Everything itched and it didn’t feel right for me. And if that’s someone else’s thing, fantastic. Cool. We’re all different and thank f*k for that. Life would be boring if we were all the bloody same. But it’s just not my thing. I knew I was straight when I was having naughty dreams about Ariel the Little Mermaid as a little kid. I felt ashamed of it because my dad was ultra conservative and would tell me that those kinds of thoughts were a “sin.” I felt like a horrible person who deserved hell. I almost live vicariously through gay people who seem comfortable with who they are.
I’ve seen people rightfully praise Robin and Nathan, and Gene, so I’ll take up worshipping Dianne Wiest (Louise, Barbara’s mom). One of the best character actors, who was always about in the 80’s/90’s, and still working steadily. She was always putting in solid performances in roles never meant to shine. On the few occasions she’s given space to take the spotlight, she’s stunning.
This one's a remake of a French-Italian film, "La Cage aux Folles", itself an adaptation of the play (1973), by Jean Poiret. The film had two sequels, "La Cage aux Folles II" and "La Cage aux Folles 3: 'Elles' se Marient."
It has also been adapted into a beautiful musical by the same name, with music by the brilliant Jerry Herman. If nothing else, you should check out the song "I am what I am", sung in the show by the Nathan Lane character.
I honestly think this movie helped me as a straight teenager accept and understand gay culture more, and see the fun of it, and understand the love between two men who've raised a son and it helped me recognize it's not just a childish "your two dads" joke which got repeated a lot when I was a preteen. As a loner who has very few friends it meant I also had zero gay friends(that I knew of), so most of my understanding of anyone who is gay initially came from movies like this. I was so happy when I finally had gay coworker to work with eventually, because it was an opportunity to learn, and he was a very fun dude. Now I love going to Pride in the summer(other than 2020 and 2021, too bad ) because it always feels like everyone is accepted there and after so many years of it in middle school and high school I don't feel like the quiet loner in the corner sitting by himself. I had a few friends, just none in the same grade.
What get me everytime in this movie as relates to the subtext. Is that Robin Williams family has normal familial love be it within unsual circumstances. And Gene Hackman's family is the dysfunctional group under the guise of normal people.
2:29, the guy in the tank top is Hank Azaria from The Simpsons, voicing Comic Book Guy, Moe Syszlak, Carl Carlson, Duff Man, John Frink, Superintendent Chalmers, and countless other characters in the show.
Gene Hackman is really good at this kind of comedy, playing the uptight guy struggling to comprehend the insanity he's landed in the middle of (a lot like Robin in Hook, actually), and it's kind of a shame he didn't do more of it, instead sticking to dramas for most of his career. Well, we also have the beauty of his Lex Luthor.
One of the key points in this movie most people overlook these days is the fact it shows a boy raised by gay parents turned out normal and straight. People born after the 90's probably don't think twice about the fact Val had two dads but all through the 90's up to today, the most common argument against letting LGBTQ people adopt/raise children was the belief that gay parents would raise gay children or their children would have serious mental health issues. Showing Val turned out both normal and straight after being raised by Albert, sends a big political message. The palimony agreement is also a major point since this movie takes place in Miami, FL. The state of Florida didn't decriminalize homosexuality until 2003 and the Miami PD were known to harass and brutalize LGBTQ people. By entering into a palimony agreement with Albert, Armand isn't just saying he'll share his life with Albert, he's also saying he will go against the law for love.
The birdcage is such a fun movie, Nathan Lane and Hank Azara were hilarious. This is originally a play theater production. I wish I could’ve seen it live but the movie ended up being amazing. Definitely a movie that you can watch more than once!
Agreed...but Val's requests make me so angry. I know, that's probably just the kind of casually selfish & insensitive things I might've asked or done at age 20, but he just makes me want to shake him.
@@jean-paulaudette9246 I absolutely agree! It was a different time period and today their son would be looked at as selfish if he wanted to hide who his family is(because it is wrong). Which in hindsight makes me happier because it’s evidence that the mind set of humanity can evolve for the better.
YES, this is my mom's favorite movie!! A gay couple, Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, play husband and wife for their son's future in laws, a conservative senator and his family. I couldn't stop laughing at Lane's over the top flamboyant Performance! Lol!🤣🤣
Palimony is arranged between unmarried domestic partners, regardless of orientation. A very famous early palimony case involved Clint Eastwood and his long-time girlfriend back in the 70s. It was quite controversial, since living together while unmarried was still frowned upon at that time. I love your reactions to all these great movies! Keep doing what you do-- I'm here for it! :D
Palimony began with Lee Marvin and his live-in girlfriend Michele Triola Marvin. They were together for a number of years and she gave up her acting career to "play wife". When he dumped her, she sued because he felt that he owed her nothing. It went to court and she won so he had to pay her something like alimony even though they weren't married. The press referred to it as "palimony" and now that word is actually a thing. How do I know this? Michelle Triola was a neighbor when I lived in West Hollywood.
Presumably it's set in the 90's, but I swear it always felt like the 80's to me. However, the Palimony thing is quite real - a lot of GLBTQ couples decades ago resorted to things like this in lieu of not being able to legally marry. I take as a glorious indication of how far we've come that you had to ask if that was real! 😍 Jumping back in, loving the reaction!
@@OGBReacts yep. One of the other work arounds was for one person in the partneship to legally adopt their partner, as a "son" or "daughter"; these were all work arounds to prevent the straight relatives from seizing everything in event of one of the couples deaths. For yourself, not necessarily a reaction, you might want to watch a short film called "If These Walls Could Talk 2" - it's not humor, but it's an incredible study of how things have changed over the decades for GLBTQ people.
Also Palimony was for straight couples who lived together and were covered by divorce law. term was first coined in late 70s when actor Lee Marvin separated from long term girlfriend,Michelle Triola and she wanted her cut. But was not entitled to the protections under divorce law. Now people do prenups.
For a director whose name is probably unknown to a lot of more casual movie fans, Mike Nichols had an exceptionally long and prestigious career, including being one of the select few to become an EGOT (where he has the distinction of the longest stretch between the first of the awards he got, a Grammy for a comedy album with his wife in 1961, and the one that made his spot official, an Emmy for the TV film Wit in 2001). This film's opening shot in particular is a real thing of beauty, using some cutting edge technology for the time to create the illusion of a single shot going over the ocean towards Miami, across the street, and through the club. The one bit that gives it away is that all the cars on the street suddenly change, but you probably don't even notice until it's pointed out as the rest of the transition between shots is so seamless.
memory unlocked: i ditched school to see this movie with friends and my parents drove by and saw me walk into the theatre 😬 and my mom came in and dragged me out to the car but i talked them into letting me stay 😁 one of the few times i pulled off shenanigans 🏅
Watching this was a win win for me, both because I love rewatching The Birdcage and your perfect reactions and commentary. It saddens me as a 64 y/o gay man that at this time the LGBT+ community has come so far but still have a long way to go. Thank you!
I quote this movie way too often with my parents. Especially the dinner scene. Whenever something confusing happens, we act like Senator Keeley when he discovers Albert is a man. "What? I don't understand! I feel like I'm going insane!" 😆
THREE-time Tony Award-winning actor Nathan Lane (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Producers, Angels in America); if I had a time machine I’d definitely go see The Producers on Broadway.
4:01 I've always loved this movie. You never know how these things will age though. Especially when it comes to things like the portrayal of gay people in media. Yesterday's effort to turn gay stereotypes against those in power at the time who used them against the gay community can easily become tomorrow's seemingly tone-deaf embracing of those very stereotypes if the context gets lost. It's also just still a really funny movie. Robin Williams and Nathan Lane are hilarious together.
While you’re doing this Robin Williams marathon I have to recommend “Death to Smoochy” even though Robin Williams is the main star I think his role can still qualifying for this list.
It was the confused 😕 "uh huh" for me... 😂😂😂 Sweety your wasting your gum .. but also the dancer said " I don't get it" Albert said " try more gum"🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Omg, your reaction was really good. I personally consider this the best comedy of the 90s. The script is smart, satirical and sweet at the same time and the cast is perfect! It's also one of the rare examples of a remake that's better than the original movie..."La Cage Aux Folles" The scene where Robin's teaching Nathan Lane how to be "a man's man" cracks me up😅When he breaks the cracker and shrieks😄
My husband of 25 1/2 years, died unexpectedly on October 8th 2021. Our first date was going to Pizza Hut and then to see this movie. It will always be one of my favorites even though typically I'm a horror movie girl, he picked this movie for us to see so every time I see anything about this movie, I will always smile and think of Rob.
This movie is one of the very few things my immediate family can all laugh about together. This movie is fucking hilarious and holds a really special place in my heart. Also makes it so much better when you picture Hank Azeria doing his voices in The Simpsons, Robin Williams as the genie in Aladdin, and Nathan Lane as Timon in Lion King!!!
Hands down, one of my favourite movies, half because it's amazing, but Albert is my grandmother. It is hysterical. We're convinced Nathan Lane followed her around to fully get into character. Even some of the lines he says my grandmother has said.
With such a stellar, powerhouse cast, this movie almost couldn't be fantastic. The on-screen chemistry between Robin and Nathan alone is worth the price of admission.
I adore this reaction and this movie. One of the best scenes that rarely people talk about is Gene Hackman’s BRILLIANT (if not wacky and embarrassing) press conference on a ladder. I mean, that’s just comedy gold 😂 😂 😂
This film makes for a pretty interesting snapshot of where society was in the mid-'90s. To tackle the lightest part first, the entire tension of not being able to call Katherine is based around how before cell phones became so ubiquitous, people had phones hooked into their cars, which could make calls but not receive them, allowing for the bit where Val tells her to come, and then everyone's helpless to call her back. And then of course there's the portrayal of homosexuals. The whole opening fake-out where Val seems to be Armand's lover is built on how the idea of a gay couple having a kid was so outside many people's mindset at the time that they'd never think of it until the reveal, and the story has to contrive a way to make Val the biological son of one of them since there would likely be no way for them to adopt at the time. On a similar note, there was no legal gay marriage at the time, so Albert's demand for a palimony is presented as the closest thing they can have to a binding marriage. It's actually quite sweet to consider that if the film was remade now, this could all be simplified into Armand and Albert being a married couple with an adopted son. And then there's the Keeleys, who were already meant to be seen kind of as jerks at the time, and have only gotten worse as the years go on, until it now seems really weird how we're supposed to have some level of sympathy for them. And it's downright adorable how the film expects us to think being associated with the Goldmans would be a kiss of death for his political career, after the likes of Dick Cheney and Michelle Bachman were able to continue on just fine after being revealed to have gay relatives.
All of this is spot on! Thank you for commenting it! The whole scene where you think that Armand's "lover" is coming in but it's actually his son; they definitely made it SEEM like it. But once he calls him "pop" you're like OH. WHOOPS.
@@OGBReacts One more bit that stands out now is that the closest physical intimacy that Armand and Albert get is a couple quick pecks on the cheek. But luckily, it's not like any straight couples ever get to be physically romantic either (the final shot even freeze-frames before the kiss at the wedding) so this isn't as uncomfortable as it could be.
What really makes this interesting is that is that this is an adaptation of a French play that started in 1973, meaning it very much has to do with late 60s and early 70s gay stereotypes, so how the world perceived the culture didn't really change much, barring the HIV/AIDS issues in the 80s/90s, which the film omits as it isn't needed for the plot and wasn't around when it was written. This also explains why they are more concerned with the gay relative issue, as the remake is 20 years or so out of date with that plot.
@@moonbrooke27 The politician is also a lot worse in the original, and strongly implied to be abusive to his family. If the remake tried to bring that over, the result would probably be a lot like the Rodney Dangerfield scene in Natural Born Killers.
I saw the French version. The American version is just top notch, though. You are a 1000% correct. Nathan didn't just steal the show, he was the main event for me. From the first scene, I was just biding my time til his next one. And I love Robin Williams. The man had more talent in his pinky than most in their whole body. But, Nathan hit the mark at go, and never stopped.
That was because Nathan was doing comedy and RW played the (lol) straight man. He showed he could do serious acting. Nathan was allowed to steal the show but RW TRULY showed his talent.
Another fun watch w/you! Been ages since I last saw this I did remember some parts. My favorites are Robin trying to get Nathan's character to be more...manly, and the stage bit with the dancer where RW goes into- Fossy Fossy Fossy..Madooonna Madooonna!!😂😂 I love when both RW and NL are over the top. Nathan plays the Drama Queen very well lol. 😜
One of the *very* few American remakes of a French film that is just as good, if not better than the original. Although at the same time, one could also look at it as another adaptation of the play.
@@OGBReacts nah, he was okay. LMAO Just trying to impress his future in-laws too hard, at the expense of his own family’s wellbeing. Kinda shitty, but hey... It all worked out well by the end. 😂
This is one of the best films yet. Nathan Lane is magnificent. And the precious Robin Williams! Well the world is a better place for his existence. And Hank! A genius.
One of my all time favorite films. Saw it in the theater with friends, the entire audience laughed and clapped throughout this movie. Great cast. The mom, Diane Weiss - mom from The Lost Boys, everyone's named the other characters except the g.f. she was on a hit show at the time Alley McBeal. Thanks for the memories!
This is one of my ALL time favorites! Your reaction was precious. I’m 51 and I adored it when it came out. I love your Robin Williams Roll. Keep em coming! A very good Robin movie that is never reviewed and should be is The Fisher King. It came out in the early 90’s and is a WONDERFUL and touching movie. I think you would really love it. It’s a classic hidden gem.
this movie is very Wizard of Oz to me- everything in conservative heterotopia is gray and beige and taupe- it's cold and snowy and drab...while Armand and Albert's world is warm, sunny, and colorful, people are happy and there's music everywhere. I know where I'd prefer to be! And your sigh, "ahhh that's so sad" when Val is trying to get Armand to adjust to "how other people live"...I felt that. It hits even more now as a person who's probably closer to Armand's age- that someone shouldn't have to change who they are to make others more comfortable. When I first saw this (at the age of 19) I could just relate to Val being embarrassed by his parents, like any kid.
Great reaction to a great film. Another 2 amazing Drag related films are Pricilla, Queen of the Desert and To Wong Fong: Thanks For Everything Julie Newmar. You def love them as well. 😉❤👠👠💃💃💃
@@OGBReacts ps the original French 1978 film "La Cage aux Folles" which this is a remake of I highly recommend to watch, it just as good if not better. 😎 Dan
The A#1 reason why I love this film is because it's the only film Robin Williams has done which he was outdone by his costars. While Calista Flockhart and her family were all MOTR, both Nathan Lane and Hank Azaria killed it!
when i first seen this movie, i laughed my ass off. and when robin Williams talked about how he doesnt care about the senator. thats a glass raising moment. never let people judge your sexuality. r.i.p Robin, you will be missed
Agreed! Nathan has held my heart ever since I saw him in this when I was like ten. Besides, it means actual queer representation instead of all hetero dudes (though since Nathan was the only LGBT+ person there it was mostly that. Lol.)
to modern eyes, its sometimes problematic. Albin is presented as being over the top femme all the time. Their housekeeper is black and they have a weird relationship with him
I am so glad you loved this movie, which is a family favorite over here. FYI, it's based on a French movie, which I've only seen once, "La Cage Aus Folles", which was also made into a Broadway musical. So rich source material here. A word in defense of Mrs. Keeley: I also didn't like her at first, but as I re-watched the movie several times, something occurred to me, and really began to like and feel for her: she has to be the rational one in the couple: Sen. Keeley is actually quite emotional and prone to fly off the handle. It's her job in the marriage to be the one in control and who finds the actual solutions to things. Weirdly, she's the Armand to the Senator's Albert. This is a very difficult position for a person who isn't allowed, really, to be able to fly off the handle herself. When she gets angry at her husband for liking Albert-Mom's vulnerability and sweetness, I can understand where this is coming from because she would have had to sacrifice any part of that in herself to help her husband. When she sobs that "somebody has to like me best", there is a reason for it.
So heartbreaking to know parents disowning or reject a gay child still happens. In my school years (80s-90s) it was very common, the fear of hate crimes or unable to get a job were are real issues. Coming out was not common. The ones that were “loud & proud” fought hard to make changes in our society. Today, we see young people such as yourself and your tribe able to just be. That’s huge. ❤ My dearest friend of 30 years (he’s almost 50) still fears the wrong people find out he’s gay. He was teased, beaten up and constantly being threatened throughout his school days. That fear still is deep rooted and it breaks my heart. He won’t even hold his partner’s hand in public. They’ve been together 20 years. My friend’s family are all loving and accepting. His partner’s family are not. At least he has in-laws, nieces & nephews that love him and are very protective of him. Rambling.
Open minded straight guy here. Truly love this movie. Saw in theater with my gay friend. Val pissed me off a lot during the movie until he redeemed himself by acknowledging that Albert is his Mother. Ironic that Robin Williams played the straight man in a comedy. Meaning not the comical aspect of the movie. The gay straight guy. Great reaction as always. Thanks.
Thank you so much for reacting to this movie!!! No reactors ever do this one. If you haven’t watched Modern Family yet, I highly recommend it; Nathan Lane is a recurring character and absolutely hilarious!!!
One of the best movies of all time. Too many great lines to quote, but I love: "I'm in Hell...and there's a crucifix in it." LOL Loved your reaction. Cheers and bearhugs, Wulf.
Oh, REWATCH, I understood REMAKE!!! The original French/Italian movie is great but this is also VERY good. If they were to remake it now, they would totally screw things up for everybody.