The Birdcage

The Birdcage does not focus heavily on a specific plot, rather it focuses on the characters.  It is a densely character driven film.  Along with many other films we have viewed this semester, The Birdcage presents "identity crisis."  Albert has a problem with his age, and his insecurities.  Albert and Armand who have been lovers for twenty years have a son, Val.  Val is engaged; unlike his fathers, he is going to be marrying a women.  Val wants to bring his fiancee home to meet his father and his "Auntie Albert."  Val's fiancee comes from a very conservative family.  Her father is a very conservative senator.  So Val is stuck in a pickle and is timid bringing Barbara around his nontraditional family.  This movie is definitely a comedy.  Unlike Harold & Maude, where people were wondering if it was even considered a comedy.  The Birdcage, most definitely can make you laugh out loud.  Val's biological mother plays his mother married to Armand so that his fiancee will not be shocked Val has two dads.  Everything that could go wrong in this situation goes wrong.  Many of the times when I caught myself laughing was when misfortunes happened to people.
The main themes in this film were acceptance, homosexuality, identity, and family.  I think my favorite part in the movie is when Albert tries to act straight throughout most of the movie.  Throughout the movie the underlying aspect was the failure to mask your true identity.
I really enjoyed this movie.  After the week we watched Harold & Maude my expectations were really high for a "great film"  but The Birdcage was a very well done film I would recommend it to anyone who wants a good laugh.  And who wants to see the criticisms of the differences of people done in a comedic way.