Rating: R | Runtime: 117 minutes
Release Date: March 8th, 1996 (USA)
Studio: United Artists
Director(s): Mike Nichols
Writer(s): Elaine May / Francis Veber, Édouard Molinaro, Marcello Danon & Jean Poiret (script La cage aux folles) / Jean Poiret (play “La cage aux folles”)

Try more gum.

Here’s all the evidence you need to refute everyone who says our nation’s politics only got this bad because of Trump. Yes, he weaponized it, but Senator and Mrs. Keeley are the specific kind of conservative patriarchal couple that allowed him to do so. “That’s exactly what Rush Limbaugh said!” … chef’s kiss.

I’m glad this held up over the past thirty years. Mike Nichols, Elaine May, Robin Williams, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, and Dianne Wiest (amongst others) should have been enough to assure me it would, but you never really know with subject matter that more often than not doesn’t. But The Birdcage understands who it’s ridiculing and who it’s celebrating from frame number one.

And, considering my own parents skirt very close to being the Keeleys now, my biggest surprise is remembering how much of a staple this film was in our household during the 90s. That’s the real truth of what Trump did. He made those on the political fence believe bigotry was a better choice than empathy.

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Nathan Lane and Robin Williams in THE BIRDCAGE.