The Birdcage (1996) Fathom Entertainment

(dir. Mike Nichols)

By: Tarek Fayoumi

The Birdcage, The Rise of Nathan Lane:

From Fathom Entertainment, and Amazon MGM, this is The Birdcage. A 1996 Mike Nichols classic that I truly adore. A film that has earned its permanent status with its much hysterical and quirky humor from the dynamics of Robin Williams (Good Morning, Vietnam, Mrs. Doubtfire) as Armand Goldman and Nathan Lane (Life with Mikey, The Lion King) as Albert. They are a gay couple running a night club but also trying to help their son with his engagement announcement. With the classic dynamic, it is a film where Nathan Lane was on the rise to fame.

Fathom Entertainment Features:

Before the movie, audiences will get a brief introduction by film historian Leonard Maltin. He goes into detail about the background of Broadway performances and farce. Both of which are in regards to the performances of Robin Wiliams and Nathan Lane. He talks about the film’s writing in addition to scenarios in which improvisation was utilized.  Maltin  also explains how Nichols worked to keep the film  as classy and satirical as it is. There are many bits of laughs in his conversation that make The Birdcage feel like there is an extra layer of writing to continue the funny. That is because the context of Maltin reminds the audience how much was improvised in the making of the film.

Worth the time?

Although the event has passed, the film was well worth the time and money. Fathom Entertainment never disappoints. There are always moments of movie wonders that remind audiences there is a background to have in mind before watching something for the first time or revisiting something again. The Birdcage is still a hit in which Williams and Lane demonstrate mastery as a comedy duo. For listings of Fathom Entertainment events. Visit the link below.

https://www.fathomentertainment.com/