Birdcage
Is this exactly like the Robin Williams/Nathan Lane movie the Birdcage?
shareThis film is definitely not exactly like "The Birdcage". Although "The Birdcage" is based on "La Cage Aux Folles", there are many differences. For one thing, the whole setting is different. Although Nathan Lane (Albert) does play a stereotypical effeminate gay man, who is a drag queen, the characters in "The Birdcage" are definitely less outrageous than those in "La Cage Aux Folles".
The house servant, Agador is of hispanic descent in "The Birdcage" whereas his "La Cage Aux Folles" counterpart, Jacob, is black. Although they come up with a funny line in "The Birdcage" about the morning coffee, it isn't as good as "La Cage Aux Folles". When Renato, the counterpart of Robin Williams' character drinks the coffee, he says to Jacob. "Your coffee really stinks! You French make s---ty coffee (cafe de merde)." Jacob's retort was hilarious. He said, "I've been called black and I've been called queer, but never French."
Although I would never disparage "The Birdcage" and I would certainly say it is well worth watching, it did not have the same appeal as "La Cage Aux Folles". If you have never seen "LaCage Aux Folles", I would highly recommend watching it. Get the subtitled version if you can.
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Birdcage is 100 times more funny than the French original. Watched it last night and only laughed twice. Sorry, but it's true.
shareAlbin the drag queen, whose performance almost make the movie by itself, played by Nathan Lane in The Birdcage is 100 time better in the 1978 version... Even if Nathan Lane, who is a very good actor, is gay in the real life I don't buy his performance as a drag queen... The Birdcage is more serious than "La Cage Aux Folles"... And that ridiculous scene where Albert (Nathan Lane) is dancing with Gene Hackman should definitely have been cut, it's too ridiculous, everybody is able to distinguish a man from a woman, especially when he speak so if he dance with him and doesn't realize it it's because he's deaf, blind and stupid...
Proud member of P.H.H.O.T.W (Paris Hilton Haters of the World)
Ooooh. Ain't this interesting! I love the original and I thnk the American remake sucks big time.
I guess that is the way the cookie bounces. (-:
They always homogenize the American remakes to appeal to the large audience in America. That is fine, I usually just look for the original and ignore the mediocre remake. Nothing against Robin Williams and Nathan Lane but the couple in the original is just more likeable.
shareExactly. There's something less sophisticated about the US version. It lacks the gentle sweetness of the original.
That seems to happen to a lot of scripts that come here from other countries. The subtler edges are buzz-sawed off in favor of broad comedy. Plenty of slapstick in the original! But somehow Americans don't seem to trust audiences to stick with them through the lower-key moments.
And: Michel Serrault. You just can't top everything he brought to Albin. And I say that as a big fan of Nathan Lane.
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Nothing to see here, move along.
American remakes are pathetic no more no less
and there s just an incredible amount and never ending list of them, they will never ever learn
Not in any way Birdcage can be compared with La cage aux folles apart the main plot. The French film is simply exquisite. SUPERB! I also have to comment about the soundtrack that is amazingly created by the master ENNIO MORRICONE. A must in every aspect: LA CAGE AUX FOLLES!
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I agree with most posters. I much prefer the French version. There is something with American humour that I just don't find funny. It's perhaps too obvious, or it's maybe some cultural difference I just don't get. Dunno.
sharenot at all, sorry ! Birdcage it's just about stereotypes.
shareWhy does it have to be a contest? I love both films, and the actors who star in them. There are things to love better about La Cage, and there are things to like better about Birdcage. I liked Albin better than Albert, but Louise in Birdcage better than Louise in La Cage, and Jacob far better than Agador. As for the similarities, I first saw La Cage Aux Folles by accidentally purchasing a copy WITHOUT subtitles, but I watched it anyway. As for the progression of scenes, it seemed to play out much like The Birdcage scene for scene. Why argue back and forth over who's opinion is better? If you like one over the other, that's fine, because that's your opinion. My opinion is that I love both films equally.
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I couldn't disagree more. Remakes can be a disaster, but The Bird Cage brought forth such talented actors and was more exciting to watch. The music was far better, and no one can touch Robin Williams' ability to improvise. It's sort of like the many remakes of Titanic. The story is a sad one, but the 1997 version gave us a glimpse of romance and hope. Music can also make all the difference. If the music is not quite right, it can turn a good script into a boring one. Music sets the mood. It's a wonderful script, (La Cage Aux Folles) but sometimes a good director needs to add that special "something" in order to reach the audience. That special something came in many forms: a revised script, a more modern, realistic night club with better costumes, and an all star cast. Masterpieces take chances holding nothing back.
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