THE PLOT THUS FAR
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.
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“The Birdcage” is a film that grew on me. While I had seen an edited cut of “La Cage Aux Folles” on A&E many Saturday mornings, I never though it would be interesting enough to make an American reimagining. However, I was 15 and not quite accustomed to the magic of May/Nichols. So, it took a smidge of convincing to win me over. I found it to be a pretty above average comedy with a strong cast, but I wasn’t wowed.
Robin Williams and Nathan Lane work so incredibly well together. But, I don’t want to undersell Hank Azaria. However, what they do together and playing off Dianne Wiest and Gene Hackman is extraordinary. Still, it took repeat viewings and by repeat…I mean three generations of home video devices to warm me up to it. Hell, I think I even watched the film on DIVX. Not the video formatting codec, but the actual DIVX failed device that Circuit City used to sell. Remember that? I love the history of failed media, but I don’t know why I keep lumping it in with this movie. Well, I can take a guess. Much like the long history of home video, it took years before I could embrace the special nature of the film and it enjoy it as something truly remarkable in the 1990s. I’m not a super fan of the flick like Paul Thomas Anderson, but I respect it.
The Blu-Ray comes with no special features. However, the A/V Quality is an incredible improvement over the DVD. The DTS-HD 5.1 creates ambiance across a full soundstage. Plus, the 1080p transfer is soft and detailed when needed. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase.
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!