I always felt like the part where Val says Albert is his mom is very powerful as it shows a family is not blood: it's who raised you. To Val Albert was his mother.
I was so touched when Val said Albert was his "Mother". I remember seeing Guiding Light with Olivia & Natalia and Olivia was the "Man" in that House. Natalia was the more stereotypical "Wife" Sewing Emma (Olivia's Daughter) a Dress for Halloween, then baking Cookies then taking Emma Grocery Shopping.
Catherine was so classy. She didn't have a problem with Armand & Albert raising her son who looks at another Man as "Mother". Now more than ever it happens.
smartremark2012 I disagree. He was afraid to lose the woman he loves plus he’s only 20 years old. He was raised by supportive parents so of course he knew he could count on them despite how far it was. When asked the question of how many mothers he has and after seeing what lies have done, he decides to come clean even if it means giving up Barbara. This scene truly shows how amazing Albert and Armand were at raising him.
I used to be so angry at Val because I thought he was ashamed of his parents but i realized he was just super stressed out about losing his fiancée because his potential in laws wouldn’t understand the beautiful parents he has even if back then it wasn’t considered the norm. This moment says a lot about the love Val has for Alfi his real and true mom, and his pride in Albert when he said my “mother is the star.”
I've always sum it up to him being utterly selfish. People who become selfish, no matter the reason, are inconsiderate to others others feelings & the consequences of their actions
@@JMac7395Give him a little grace though. Nearly all of us were selfish at that age (humans already are by nature, even more so in youth). By the end though he realizes that he was in the wrong and takes a stand.
Its so incredible how they had him react- the senator deeply struggling to understand because this lady who had him completely charmed couldn't possibly be the kind of man he's spent all this time preaching against. It was so inconceivable that someone he enjoyed the company of could be the person he hates.
“Can’t be”…lol I 😂 really wish movies these days nailed this heartfelt delivery while being so earnestly funny. How can a scene make me tear up and laugh simultaneously
Just G. Not L, not B, and despite Albert being called ‘mother’ by Val, also not T because Albert identifies as a man, or more to the point Albert knows he’s male despite his deep enjoyment for dressing in female drag. But yes, one of the best G moments in all of Hollywood.
This sequence manages to be drop-dead hilarious and deeply heartfelt, all at once, and you never feel the tone shift… amazing work by Mike Nichols and the whole cast…
Fun fact: Agador Spartacus (the butler) is played by Hank Azaria, the voice of Moe Szyslak, Apu, Comic Book Guy and Chief Wiggum from the Simpsons. He was nominated for a SAG award for his supporting role in this film.
The look on Agador’s face in the background OMG 😂😂😂. To be in a scene with Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, and Robin Williams and make me laugh with just a facial expression is a testament to his talent.
Gene Hackmans reaction gets me every time. Absolute comedy gold. He keeps saying he doesn't understand..🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣... THIS IS A MAN! I don't understand. Let's go dear🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
He was an absolute jerk until he realized how much his family went through to impress his possible future in-laws. Glad he finally came through and realized what amazing parents he has.
I really start to think why Hackman was so confused after the reveal. He really was intrigued by Albert being a woman that he most likely would have cheated on his wife with if Albert. Through the whole encounter with Albert he was falling for her.
In this day and age a Child can have Two Mothers. On the US Soap Opera Guiding Light (That Calista Flockhart acted on in the early days of her career) Emma Spencer said she had Two Mommies, on the UK Soap Opera Vanessa Woodfield and Charity Dingle are Co-Parenting their Children Johnny & Moses to the point that they think of themselves as Brothers. Charity's Son Noah had his doubts but he's accepting them now and Charity's Granddaughter Sara loves them together as well.
I tear up when Val says "Just 1, this is my mother" but then also takes the wig off...... See my Real mother for the amazing person she is..... Epically Legendary
The thing is, Val could’ve said he had two mothers - the one who birthed him and the one who raised them. But the fact that he doesn’t reveals a very beautiful truth. It’s the raising of a child that truly makes a mother, not the birthing. Katharine may have birthed him, but she is a stranger to him. How could he call her his mother, or one of them, when it was always Albert who filled that role in his life? So he confirms, he just has one mother: Albert. And Katharine is the woman who had him. Truly spectacular writing by Elaine May.
You can imagine back in the days me my mother and my father watching this movie. It was the happiest memories i have of us 3. This scene killed us with laughter.
If the Senator could find his words, he'd probably quote Vizzini from The Princess Bride. This is such a contrast to Gene Hackman's usual characters, but he does a great job.
Amazing scene, so beautiful to see a family live their truth. Also Robin Williams and Nathan Lane make such a cute couple. 😊 Wish the time period this was made in would've allowed for more affection than briefly holding hands. I wonder what this film would be like if made today!
Wait a second. We have here: Genie from Aladdin Timon from Lion King The first live action Lex Luthor The mom/wife actress from Footloose, Lost Boys and Edward Scissorhands. Ally McBeal The voice actor for most of the Simpsons supporting cast and to top it all off a cameo from Howard's mother, Dr Beverly, from the Big Bang Theory. This movie is pop culture gold!!!!!😊😊😊
The only thing about this film that irks me is that it took 18+ years for Val to meet his biological mother despite the fact that she and Val's dad kept in touch enough for her to play his wife at the drop of a hat.
@@perfectlyimperfect2368 Nothing against Val's mother, but I believe it was her career and not wanting to be a parent. If that was their agreement, fine, but I just find it hard to believe, for biological parents that communicate as often as Val's did, that he didn't meet his mother until after reaching adulthood. It's not a moral judgement. It just doesn't make sense.
@@partyguy101ify I don’t really think they kept in touch. In fact, I think Armand says that she’s never done anything for Val in his life so she owes him. That’s why she agreed to play the wife. Now I’m sure Albert being the kind of person he is might have sent her pictures and things but I don’t think they were close to her at all.
I think the agreement they had was that Armand gave Catherine money to start her business and in exchange she basically gave up parental rights to Val. It was probably done legally so that Catherine couldn't claim parental rights. Catherine also says she was never maternal, so I don't think she was at all interested in being in his life. The arrangement worked just fine for her.
I get the impression she had Val very young, and couldn't care for him effectively. However, the father of the child could, and so he raises him and does a good job too. I do agree that she might have been a part of his life and just been around but it might have been thought it would confuse the child and make things more difficult. People make the decisions they think best under the circumstances.
@@victoriadiesattheend.8478 True. But at a certain point he could of known how babies came around and then make an attempt to have his bio mom in his life? I mean. He wouldn't have to think or know much to know that two men can't make a baby. (Unless you are into today's political correctness and believe trans men are men. Then I suppose it is possible for two men to have a child )
I think it was just an implicit agreement she had with Armand. Same thing with any mother who gives up her child for adoption. A biological parent has no right to be a part of the child's life once they've given up their claim to parenthood to soneone else. It's obvious that there was friction between herself and Albert and if she had tried to shoehorn her way into Val's life, then that could've caused undue stress in the Goldman household.
@@reverendcoffinsotherson5807 They acknowledged that when Albert says their baby has grown up and they won't have another and Armand says, "Not without a miracle."
All these commenters are giving Val a pat on the back in this scene. But remember, this man put all these people through this hell for practically no reason! Val homophobically insulted poor Albert up and down, making him feel like he was unworthy to be his parent even though Albert RAISED him. Then Val homophobically insulted Armand by making him feel bad for his lifestyle and for his love of Albert. And THEN Val lied and has everyone else lie to this idiot Senator and his equally clueless wife, selfishly threatening this Senator's career for NOTHING. Val was an awful, disgusting POS in this movie, one of the worst sons ever portrayed on film. Val does not deserve a pat on the back for FINALLY doing the right thing.
Recently rewatched. I paid close attention to Val every time Albert had a meltdown with him there. He seemed to carefully not react at all, letting Armand do all the heavy lifting of soothing Albert's ruffled feathers, and just not getting involved. Yes, the thrust of the movie was Val trying to get what he wanted, regardless of how it affected his parents.
I always felt like the part where Val says Albert is his mom is very powerful as it shows a family is not blood: it's who raised you. To Val Albert was his mother.
I feel the same way too. Family are the people who love you not mere biology/DNA.
I was so touched when Val said Albert was his "Mother". I remember seeing Guiding Light with Olivia & Natalia and Olivia was the "Man" in that House. Natalia was the more stereotypical "Wife" Sewing Emma (Olivia's Daughter) a Dress for Halloween, then baking Cookies then taking Emma Grocery Shopping.
More like who loves you
and u r an idiot madam
Albert is a man. Not his mother.
"may I take your purse as usual or for the first line" such a underrated and funny line
Gene Hackmans reactions are so perfect
What? 😂
I must be insane
YOU CAN'T BE JEWISH!
As a US Senator it took a bit too long for him to understand.
@@mikeygoodboi He completely understood; but he realized it was politic NOT to understand. It's an "act."
When he said "This is my mother" I teared up
Catherine was so classy. She didn't have a problem with Armand & Albert raising her son who looks at another Man as "Mother". Now more than ever it happens.
Why? He only spent the whole movie pretty much hating Albert and Armand. Val is the true villain of the movie.
Saaaaame
smartremark2012 I disagree. He was afraid to lose the woman he loves plus he’s only 20 years old. He was raised by supportive parents so of course he knew he could count on them despite how far it was. When asked the question of how many mothers he has and after seeing what lies have done, he decides to come clean even if it means giving up Barbara. This scene truly shows how amazing Albert and Armand were at raising him.
@@MuncleMarkster exactly! Wut a brat !
I used to be so angry at Val because I thought he was ashamed of his parents but i realized he was just super stressed out about losing his fiancée because his potential in laws wouldn’t understand the beautiful parents he has even if back then it wasn’t considered the norm. This moment says a lot about the love Val has for Alfi his real and true mom, and his pride in Albert when he said my “mother is the star.”
I've always sum it up to him being utterly selfish. People who become selfish, no matter the reason, are inconsiderate to others others feelings & the consequences of their actions
@@JMac7395Give him a little grace though. Nearly all of us were selfish at that age (humans already are by nature, even more so in youth). By the end though he realizes that he was in the wrong and takes a stand.
@@ladymondegreenhe didn’t realize he was in the wrong.
He realized they were caught and it was game over.
"It can't be!... You can't be jewish!" 🤣🤣🤣
Hackman is a legend! 👌🏽
I thought Hackman was perfect for this!
😅😅🤣🤣
"THIS. IS. A. MAN."
What!?
This scene is full of Oscar winners and they crushed it in this movie 😅
If there is a more perfectly cast movie I can’t think of it.
Val became an adult in this scene. He owns the entire conflict with the senator.
Its so incredible how they had him react- the senator deeply struggling to understand because this lady who had him completely charmed couldn't possibly be the kind of man he's spent all this time preaching against. It was so inconceivable that someone he enjoyed the company of could be the person he hates.
"You cant be jewish!" Makes me laugh everytime
“Can’t be”…lol I 😂 really wish movies these days nailed this heartfelt delivery while being so earnestly funny. How can a scene make me tear up and laugh simultaneously
Quite possibly one of the best LGBT scenes in Hollywood imo
Just G. Not L, not B, and despite Albert being called ‘mother’ by Val, also not T because Albert identifies as a man, or more to the point Albert knows he’s male despite his deep enjoyment for dressing in female drag. But yes, one of the best G moments in all of Hollywood.
@@mangarang One of the best LGBT scenes!! LGBT!!!! LLLLGGGGBBBTTTT!!!!
One of THE MOST talented casts ever. And the writing was just gold. Couldn’t have done this better
I LOVE Agador's face in this scene! And Val is amazing!
Christine Baransky is so elegant. She is Upper East Side all the way.
Couldn't agree more. She looks absolutely amazing in this movie -- her hair!
@@mikeb5926 years later still looking gorgeous
Gorgeous woman!
She is a person I would like to meet. So talented.snd beautiful lady
This sequence manages to be drop-dead hilarious and deeply heartfelt, all at once, and you never feel the tone shift… amazing work by Mike Nichols and the whole cast…
Fun fact: Agador Spartacus (the butler) is played by Hank Azaria, the voice of Moe Szyslak, Apu, Comic Book Guy and Chief Wiggum from the Simpsons. He was nominated for a SAG award for his supporting role in this film.
But he lost because they were afraid of his Guatemalaness
He works hard for the money!
pretty handsome guy.....ironically wiggum and the comic book guy are total slobs
He was good in Quiz Show.
@@FH-hu5vn his Latin heat 🔥
I love the oldschool 'reveal' when the son removes the wig. Not necessary, but symbolic. 😁
The look on Agador’s face in the background OMG 😂😂😂. To be in a scene with Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, and Robin Williams and make me laugh with just a facial expression is a testament to his talent.
Yes, priceless))
Lmao just noticed😂
Yes, Agador is speechless! 😅
I forget that they are playing a role; that they are famous actors. They’re that good. ❤
He was Simpsons legacy before this...don't play that man like that
Very emotional scene, it gets me every time I watch this movie. Brilliant cast all around!
Gene Hackmans reaction gets me every time. Absolute comedy gold. He keeps saying he doesn't understand..🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣... THIS IS A MAN! I don't understand. Let's go dear🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
0:56 what!?” Love that line haha
Ugh! Left out the best part, where Sen. Keely says in exasperation: “I feel like I’m insane”
👌👌👌😂😂😂
it's in the next clip
WAIT...they can't be Jewish...
The writers are comedic geniuses
“SOMEBODY has to like me best. 😭” 🤣🤣🤣
Something about the way Dianne Wiest says "this is a man" always cracks me up.
I understand. She could have preceded that with "Honey...listen to me very closely!"
I can see why Charles fell for her
I really disliked Val until this scene
He was an absolute jerk until he realized how much his family went through to impress his possible future in-laws. Glad he finally came through and realized what amazing parents he has.
I really start to think why Hackman was so confused after the reveal. He really was intrigued by Albert being a woman that he most likely would have cheated on his wife with if Albert. Through the whole encounter with Albert he was falling for her.
Exactly how many mothers does your son have?? LOL
In this day and age a Child can have Two Mothers. On the US Soap Opera Guiding Light (That Calista Flockhart acted on in the early days of her career) Emma Spencer said she had Two Mommies, on the UK Soap Opera Vanessa Woodfield and Charity Dingle are Co-Parenting their Children Johnny & Moses to the point that they think of themselves as Brothers. Charity's Son Noah had his doubts but he's accepting them now and Charity's Granddaughter Sara loves them together as well.
A very poignant moment...amidst the wonderful, inspired comedy!
I tear up when Val says "Just 1, this is my mother" but then also takes the wig off...... See my Real mother for the amazing person she is..... Epically Legendary
I can’t see her without hearing “lightly spackle” from Edward Scissorhands
Yes!
It’s not humanly possible for me to adore this movie more than I already do in my mind & heart!!
Most of all, I loved Gene Hackman. So accepting ❤
The great Gene Hackman! He’s hilarious in this movie.
How this fim didn't clean up at Academy Awards is unfathomable...
"I don't understand"
#TMOS
That"what" though, lol.
I just love Agador’s expression. He looks curious too how many mothers does Val have from his look.
I love Hackman
When you watch this film and you can't help but imagine Martha May Whovier, Timon, Genie and Moe
Martha May Whovier? I think about Tanya Chesham-Leigh in Mamma Mia
I love this movie! The acting was spectacular, and so much fun!
So well done -such a powerful scene with superb actors. It touches my heart every time!!
The thing is, Val could’ve said he had two mothers - the one who birthed him and the one who raised them. But the fact that he doesn’t reveals a very beautiful truth. It’s the raising of a child that truly makes a mother, not the birthing. Katharine may have birthed him, but she is a stranger to him. How could he call her his mother, or one of them, when it was always Albert who filled that role in his life? So he confirms, he just has one mother: Albert. And Katharine is the woman who had him. Truly spectacular writing by Elaine May.
You can imagine back in the days me my mother and my father watching this movie. It was the happiest memories i have of us 3.
This scene killed us with laughter.
Gene Hackman kills it in this scene
Gene Hackman owned this scene lol
Such a sweet scene.Wonderfully honest and uplifting.
Was it though? Val would have gladly kept up the charade of his cover wasn’t blown. That kid was a douche.
One of my favorite movies!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤😂😂😂😂😂....
Totally left out the best part "I feel like I'm insane!"
Such a fabulous movie!
Hackman: "....What?"
If the Senator could find his words, he'd probably quote Vizzini from The Princess Bride.
This is such a contrast to Gene Hackman's usual characters, but he does a great job.
All that dialogue and hackman says "you cant be jewish" 😂😂
This is one of my favorite scenes from this movie. 😍
Dianne Weist is a great actress in everything she does.
If Kevin couldn't figure it out the first time, then why did he keep asking?
Because he was in love with her/him he could not believe he was a man lmao
@@dnlprls it's the whole conservative republican thing---thinking is hard for them. This is why they don't like funding schools
@@robinorlowski9045 they also doesnt like art and critical thinking
ICONIC.
Gene's just a tad slow on the uptake 🤣🤣💀
❤❤ I love this movie best ever love Everything about it love Robin Williams ❤
Aaahh!!! my favorite scene. Trying to figure out that the marriage will not work 😂😂😂
That’s a lot to throw at a Dad all at once.
LOVE DAN FUTTERMAN WITH ALL MY HEART AND ALWAYS WILL
Ugh same, i just rewatched his small guest arc on will and grace the other day after i watched this movie again lol
Amazing scene, so beautiful to see a family live their truth. Also Robin Williams and Nathan Lane make such a cute couple. 😊 Wish the time period this was made in would've allowed for more affection than briefly holding hands. I wonder what this film would be like if made today!
Absolutely love this film.
I expected him to say, “what’s drag?”
Wait a second. We have here:
Genie from Aladdin
Timon from Lion King
The first live action Lex Luthor
The mom/wife actress from Footloose, Lost Boys and Edward Scissorhands.
Ally McBeal
The voice actor for most of the Simpsons supporting cast and to top it all off a cameo from Howard's mother, Dr Beverly, from the Big Bang Theory. This movie is pop culture gold!!!!!😊😊😊
Sweet Val
WE ARE FAMILY xoxoxo
One of the best movies I’ve ever seen. ♥️♥️♥️
Kevin Kevin Kevin! 😂
Wow I love the acting it is so good!!!
I LOVE THIS 💗 ALWAYS !!! TEARZZ WILL ALWAYS TOUCH MY HEART!!! WHITE ROSES 🌹 SPIRIT 💗 ROBIN 🌹❣️🌹
Watch the entire movie
It is GREAT!
The only thing about this film that irks me is that it took 18+ years for Val to meet his biological mother despite the fact that she and Val's dad kept in touch enough for her to play his wife at the drop of a hat.
It's been so many years since I've seen this movie. What was the reason for val's biological mom not being in his life?
@@perfectlyimperfect2368 Nothing against Val's mother, but I believe it was her career and not wanting to be a parent. If that was their agreement, fine, but I just find it hard to believe, for biological parents that communicate as often as Val's did, that he didn't meet his mother until after reaching adulthood. It's not a moral judgement. It just doesn't make sense.
@@partyguy101ify I don’t really think they kept in touch. In fact, I think Armand says that she’s never done anything for Val in his life so she owes him. That’s why she agreed to play the wife. Now I’m sure Albert being the kind of person he is might have sent her pictures and things but I don’t think they were close to her at all.
@@PurpleGoddess09 So basically like Facebook friends who get together maybe once a year for coffee if they're in the same area?
I think the agreement they had was that Armand gave Catherine money to start her business and in exchange she basically gave up parental rights to Val. It was probably done legally so that Catherine couldn't claim parental rights. Catherine also says she was never maternal, so I don't think she was at all interested in being in his life. The arrangement worked just fine for her.
It is a shame that I watched this...I will never be the same.
Azaria's face!
Kevin Kevin Kevin....This is a MAN!!! 🤣🤣
I think there was too much information for the Senator.
Funny that DeSantis didn't protest this movie when it came out. It is tailor-made to make him feel opportunistically hateful.
Granted this movie came out in 1996 so he was still a teenager when this came out.
😭 so beautiful
Chris P bestie, The “guy” mouna dated: Jodi Foster, Harriet the spy kid…possibly 👁️
♥😂
Fantastic movie👍
Has me laughing, all the way though.😊
Moira
From England.
I hate how the biological mother didn't even make an attempt to be in her son's life
If Val ever wanted to meet her , he would of course, but he didn’t need to because he already had his 2 dads.
I get the impression she had Val very young, and couldn't care for him effectively. However, the father of the child could, and so he raises him and does a good job too. I do agree that she might have been a part of his life and just been around but it might have been thought it would confuse the child and make things more difficult. People make the decisions they think best under the circumstances.
@@victoriadiesattheend.8478 True. But at a certain point he could of known how babies came around and then make an attempt to have his bio mom in his life? I mean. He wouldn't have to think or know much to know that two men can't make a baby. (Unless you are into today's political correctness and believe trans men are men. Then I suppose it is possible for two men to have a child )
I think it was just an implicit agreement she had with Armand. Same thing with any mother who gives up her child for adoption. A biological parent has no right to be a part of the child's life once they've given up their claim to parenthood to soneone else. It's obvious that there was friction between herself and Albert and if she had tried to shoehorn her way into Val's life, then that could've caused undue stress in the Goldman household.
@@reverendcoffinsotherson5807 They acknowledged that when Albert says their baby has grown up and they won't have another and Armand says, "Not without a miracle."
I don't understand
Agador please set the table with the leap frog boys they will help you set the table and play leap frog when your done.
I miss Robin so much. This is a classic which should probably be re-visited. God knows there is enough modern content for a "look in the mirror"
All these commenters are giving Val a pat on the back in this scene. But remember, this man put all these people through this hell for practically no reason! Val homophobically insulted poor Albert up and down, making him feel like he was unworthy to be his parent even though Albert RAISED him. Then Val homophobically insulted Armand by making him feel bad for his lifestyle and for his love of Albert. And THEN Val lied and has everyone else lie to this idiot Senator and his equally clueless wife, selfishly threatening this Senator's career for NOTHING. Val was an awful, disgusting POS in this movie, one of the worst sons ever portrayed on film. Val does not deserve a pat on the back for FINALLY doing the right thing.
Recently rewatched. I paid close attention to Val every time Albert had a meltdown with him there. He seemed to carefully not react at all, letting Armand do all the heavy lifting of soothing Albert's ruffled feathers, and just not getting involved. Yes, the thrust of the movie was Val trying to get what he wanted, regardless of how it affected his parents.
I don't understand... haha!
Presumably if the GOP has its way, this movie will be banned asap.
I don't understand 🤣
Im laughing because my sister is engaged to a Jewish man and i can only think this is how my father would react to it!
Val was such a schmuck for the majority of the movie. So glad he finally owned his family!!!!
Hank = Vincent C
🤣🤣🤣💖💖💖
“What”
It can’t be… you can’t be Jewish! 😂😂💀
What .... ( hahahahahhaa)
Fords “wife” = Ali? Model from the 90s…
It just didn't sink in.
😂😂😂😘❤️🥰🤗
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂