when you shoot your movie like it’s a stage play
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ม.ค. 2023
- #TheBirdcage #RobinWilliams #videoessay
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Based on the stageplay La Cage aux Folles, The Birdcage isn't just one of the best Robin Williams movies. It's one of the best family comedies of all time. And that's hugely thanks to the direction by legendary theater director Mike Nichols. Here's how Nichols brought some of his theater sensibilities to the film, and why it was so successful.
Written & edited by Danny Boyd - ภาพยนตร์และแอนิเมชัน
![อาจารย์ยอด : สวยกินคน [ผี]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_-TIJOwkRA4/mqdefault.jpg)
HUGE thank you to Patreon supporter Joe Maltby for recommending The Birdcage as a video topic! If you want to be a part of possibly help choosing movies and supporting me and the channel, head over to www.Patreon.com/CinemaStix
Ok, mate. Don't know if I've ever watched one of your vids before... but this was fantastic.
Subbed
Ooh, that’s so exciting! Hope they enjoy it.
And thanks :)
-Danny
Ah man. I gotta rewatch this now. I forgot how funny Hank Azaria is in this. Thank you! Great vid!
My dad watches it like every weekend. It’s family tradition to quote the movie.
Best video essay of 2023.
Birdcage is such a great movie, I want to say Nathan Lane and Robin Williams made the film, but literally everyone in the film was perfectly cast, the shots were perfectly chosen, dude the entire film was just a masterclass.
Case in point. This commenter learned nothing about the movie but liked this video because they like the movie. The actual content in the video is non-existent.
Especially considering they originally asked Robin Williams to play Nathan Lane's part. He decided himself he wasn't right for the part, and he was correct.
Funnily enough, I was watching another review about the birdcage and they had mentioned that there was never a kiss between Nathan and Robin's character. It was probably due to some studio feedback that there was never one but the pure talent of the two actors never made the audience feel like it was necessary. Just that holding of hands after signing the palimony agreement, TEARS!!!!
@@gladspooky9455 ....it's about cinematography 🤔
It’s one of my favorite movies ever and so under rated today. One of robins best and Nathan lane was perfect.
"Actually, it's perfect. I just never realized John Wayne walked like that" will forever be one of the greatest all time quotes
7:25 My favorite tidbit about this scene is not only Robin Williams falling and still staying in character, but that when he says “stop crying” the actor for Val thinks the line is for *him* instead of Hank Azaria. So he just immediately “yes and’s” Robin and starts blubbering on cue. You can hear the catch in Robin’s voice as he tries not to laugh after that. God I love this movie.
Ha! You’re right. Val slightly breaks character with a little grin.
Since its been pointed out in a few vids I've really paid attention. They all broke a touch, but frantic Williams held it together, and then Azaria not missing with the shrimp ...👌
See, now THAT is brilliant fucking acting. Daniel Day-Lewis is one thing, but a group of actors with great chemistry quick on their feet, that is what creates real MOVIE MAGIC!
I don't ordinarily like farces because I'm not comfortable with that much tension. But I swear The Birdcage is a masterclass in how to keep things potentially explosive without it being painful.
I feel like “shooting like a stage play” is always talked about as a negative in film. But I honestly think for certain applications like you described it is a positive.
That’s true! And there are definitely instances, especially with certain adaptations, where it feels like I’m just watching a play that’s been shot on camera. But in this case it feels much more like a spiritual thing. Nichols considers what principles can be applied, and it isn’t anything so superficial. I’ll be talking about some other directors who do this well at some point in the future, too.
:)
-Danny
I think that was a problem with early movies and tv shows, when so many directors were adapting to the new medium and there was little precedent to study.
It also goes for early actors, who sometimes seem to be projecting (their voices) wrong. You can see in the early movies where they over expressed, which may be useful on stage, but just too much in a close up.
I'm so happy you picked one of my favorite movies to analyze. Nobody ever talks about it. Well done.
Right? CineFix coincidentally mentioned it in one of their recent list videos, but in general it seems to be massively underrepresented on YT.
@@CinemaStix I think a large part of it is some folks argue there are problematic caricatures in this film about gay people and maybe wanna ignore it, a la Hank Azaria. Not as progressive as La Cage aux Folles, but very good for its time. Nor am I quite sure about said caricatures personally, honestly. This version is safe and centrist, though, while the original I believe was more empowering.
All in all, with regards to a modern lens on a movie that's a quarter of a century old reinforcing these stereotypes, I think maybe you gotta look at it like that sorta representation *comes* in baby steps.
Indeed, the social aspects and the discourse surrounding the movie are subjects of lengthy conversation in and of themselves. And not something I was looking to attempt to cover in this video, since I try to keep my stuff largely opinion-free (outside of general enthusiasm). Plus I simply lack the authority. But I do think, for every choice a movie makes that is poor or doesn’t age, it’s worth considering what it chose to do that was positive and done with integrity. Both sides of the coin hold tremendous value to different types of discussions. There are things I wish the movie had chosen to do differently. While at the same time it’s film that has brought me immense amounts of joy. And hey. That’s life in a nutshell :)
@@CinemaStix Well said. And honestly, I regret bringing it up because it makes you stand on a soapbox and address it, so I apologize for that. I get where you're coming from, absolutely.
And I appreciate you even going so far as to engage in a conversation with it *now*. I'll leave it at that and hope you keep on keepin' on.
Oh, definitely don’t apologize for that! I love to talk movies that I love, and I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t :)
Saw this in the theaters. Hell yeah I miss Robin Williams. Everyone in this film were magical. Thank you Spartacus
I saw the end in theaters. Homeward bound 2 just finished and my mom told me to go meet her in her movie. Instant favorite 🤩
I remember when Robin Williams was going to be here forever....now there's a bridge named after him....
Same here, although we just picked a movie at random and it was this one. Little did I know it would become one of my all-time favorites, and one of my go-to films if I just want to laugh.
No Thank YOU Spartacus.
Usually I find stage to screen adaptations to be two dimensional, and lackluster. Even the greats like Glengarry Glen Ross rely on the material and great acting over technical ability or cinematography. Its my biggest problem with Hateful 8. But I didn't even realize Birdcage was an adaptation. Hats off to Nichols.
It’s a remake of a French movie which is itself an adaptation of a play and is, as you could expect, inferior to both despite Williams doing the best he can. Tip your hat to Veber, Poiret, Danon and Molinaro, they are the one who actually adapted it. Poiret wrote the play then worked on the screenplay by the way. Gosh I hate American remakes.
Hateful 8 isn’t an adaptation though
@@griffinoconnor1523 True, but it was written by Tarantino with the express desire that he would one day take it to the stage and have other great actors fill the roles, so it's in in its own weird place where it feels like an adaption of a play.
@@danielrafferty4108 but it doesn't hurt it in any way.
@@GREVIEWS02 True. I personally liked it (apart from the literal stage direction/narration readout from Tarantino at the poisoning scene. It was a bit on the nose). I just thought I'd give the guy OP some credit as it does seem to technically be a cinematic adaption of something that was written by Tarantino as a stageplay.
That and the way he filmed it like a stage production for the majority of the film may not be to everyone's taste and may lead them to the presumption that it was meant to be play. While it's his intention and I say hats off to him for it may not be to everyone's taste as expressed by the OP.
God, this film is so sentimental to me. Small city, early 2000's,somewhere in central Europe, no internet, life wasn't that fun - but we had our local video rental shop. Endless possibilities of films. And that was that, this movie watched with my mom at least 5 times. As a young kid I loved it so much. Great video, thanks for reminder
That’s amazing! And such a vivid sounding memory.
:)
-Danny
My girlfriend and I saw The Birdcage at a movie theatre last year and Im convinced I’ve never been apart of an audiences that collectively laughed harder for almost an entire movie
Robin Williams will always be remembered for his frenetic comedy and improvisational skills, _but_ that brief clip of him dancing with Christine Baranski reminded me of just how effortless and smooth he could be. I think that's how he finally won his Oscar; his character in _Good Will Hunting_ was the _least_ frenetic one in the movie, and seeing him play...well...a basically normal guy was what made everyone say, "WOW!" Having said that, seeing him play (essentially) Bud Abbott to Nathan Lane's Lou Costello was just magnificent...as was the whole cast!
The Birdcage is SUCH a good movie.
RIP Robin Williams. He is greatly missed.
It's such a easy watch. There's no jarring, no glaring holes, no out of place setting of acting. Also Robin and Nathan are in beautiful synch. Beauty is easy. Perfection always looks easy. That's what this is.
This whole film is a masterpiece. The humor is still relevant, with the themes sadly also relevant. One scene that always gets me when the Keeley's are riding the car and you can see the rising sun through the limo windows. Ugh, breathtaking.
Yeah, that’s another awesome shot I didn’t get a chance to highlight. We move from the road, through the back window, and into the car. It’s just so classic Lubezki. Literally.
-Danny
The themes today are exaggerated and hysterical. It makes me wonder how many masterpieces we’ll never see because they never got made. Tragic. 🫤
Don't forget the part where Robin and Nathan was sitting on a bench and a cruise ship passed by, I know Miami has them cruise ships but the timing was perfect..
"I've pierced the toast!" Classic movie.
I watched Birdcage two weeks ago with my grandma, then again with my friends, then again with my sister, and now this video that came out 4 days ago. Thank you for the very relevant video essay ❤
Haha. That is fantastic. Prepping for the video, I too watched it with like three different groups of people in a very, very short span of time.
:)
-Danny
“a morale issue is more interesting to me than a real issue, it has a fibre to it, a feeling” that’s some serious foreshadowing
At 4:10 is one of my favorite shots from the movie. I grew up in Miami during the 80s and every detail is so on point. The old style glass slats in the windows, the ac unit mounted on the window frame, Armand is even reading the living arts section from the Miami Herald. The attention to detail in this movie was incredible.
It's so accurate it makes me homesick for a time that's long gone. South Beach is completely different now, as is the world, but yet there it is in a perfect encapsulation. Feels like I could walk into the frame and be home.
Loved this. I miss this type of movie so much. I know it’s because I’m a professional dancer/choreographer but the magic that happens from rehearsing something so much that you can fall in the pocket and bring out so many layers of nuance is one my favorite experiences. I feel like it is so rare these days to see and find it. Anytime it happens this day and age I feel my whole body relax and I am filled with gratitude that I get to witness it once again.
I've loved this film since I first saw it as a teen. For a long time, I thought that it was the script and performances that made it so good but in fact, each aspect in just perfect & everyone that worked on it did a stellar job. I also somehow don't think such a film can be made today
God I miss Robin Williams, we’ll never get an actor like him again 😢
Randomly turned up in my feed. So pleased to click on it. Robin Williams is the first and last celebrity that I genuinely get emotional about to know that he's gone. I too miss Robin Williams.
I remember hearing the fall scene with Robin was an accident. And yet they all managed to keep going and made it even better. I remember seeing it and just thinking he was acting drunk.
Without a doubt on of the best films around. The writing is hilarious and sharp. The actors are all amazing - there are no weak links. The premise is both heartwarming, heart-wrenching, and hysterical.
I seriously cannot say enough good things about this movie.
I love love love this movie but never considered how Nichols' theater background influenced its direction. Fantastic video, sir. Thank you.
Thank you! Yeah, I thought it was all just so fascinating.
-Danny
One thing I would do if I had a Time Machine would be to go back and watch the Birdcage in theaters and witness everyone’s reactions! It’s my favorite movie and I’m also jealous I didn’t get to see this in the theaters
That.. would be incredible.
Exactly
Thank you for doing my favorite movie. My husband and I were wondering this morning about how much improv Robin Williams got away with. When someone says something stupid in our house, it's "Honey, your wasting your gum." Really miss Robin Williams.
I’m so glad it was recommended to me as a topic! It’s amazing seeing all the people in the comments for whom it’s a personal favorite. And that’s fantastic :) Such a good line.
Not a cinematography point but every time I watch The Birdcage what Val did to Albert hurt just a little more. That man raised him too. How cold he was. It's not nice. Luckily every time I watch I am more amazed but Williams and Lane, these are some of their best performances, really put it out there.
Which is what it makes it all the more meaningful when Val recognizes Albert as his mother at the end. Definitely prefer that over the original stage ending, where Albin accidentally takes off his wig when he forgets who his audience actually is.
What Val did was absolutely wrong. And yet so human and flawed and it adds to the film.
Val is the villain of the film, and I think Dan Futterman looks too old to play a character that’s meant to come off as “young and immature” which made him even harder to like
Val is the catalyst for the entire plot. If Val had been a zealous radical, there would have been no story. Also, I identified with Val's discomfort, which hooked me into the story.
@@vicky__p There's a song in the musical, "Look Over There," that absolutely hammers this idea home, and in my opinion is one of the best in the show. The reprise at the end will make you weep. This is from the revival ten-ish years ago: th-cam.com/video/tO4lKYgzoyk/w-d-xo.html
This is one of those movies you put on when it's a rainy day and you just want to feel happy. It never fails. It nails it every single time.
You just made me realize that Emmanuel Lubezki had a 15 year career before going mainstream with Children of Men, which is pretty obvious. I need to revisit his films. Really nice video and thank you for the recommendation.
Isn’t that crazy? And the vast majority of which already working in Hollywood.
I just watched this with all of my siblings this past weekend. We all agreed it has aged beautifully and forgot how amazing it was! everyone did a great job, but Nathan Lane stole this movie for me. He was magnificent
Yeah, Lane no doubt owned it. Even more impressive doing all he did while playing across from RW. Should’ve made him a super star. But it’s still fun seeing him in Only Murders in the Building :)
-Danny
The legendary Robin Williams, he is irreplaceable!♥️🥺
You can say that again..
@@CinemaStix The legendary Robin Williams, there is no substitute for him!!!♥️😥
This cast is a fever dream ❤
THANK YOU! this is my all time favourite film. It is always completely misunderstood and underappreciated. I think it has the most heart out of all the many cage aux folles adaptations. All the comedy but not based on the characters' sexuality, deeply sensitive and loving and in the end just a great view of a real and dysfunctional family. The visuals are so exciting and colourful, it's my absolute feelgood film and I must watch it twice a year at least.
Ur channel is such a gem
:)
Thank you SO MUCH for making this video. I hope it introduces more people to one of the absolute greatest comedies ever made. My wife and I quote it constantly and it's such an underappreciated brilliant, gorgeous film.
Yeah! I was just realizing how profoundly under-represented the movie was on TH-cam, and someone recommended I talk about it, so it all worked out :) Such a sweet movie.
-Danny
One of the films I own to be able to watch whenever - loved it since it came out. So many perfect comedy moments. Thanks for such a great critique and opening my eyes to aspects I never considered before but I'm always keen to know about
:)
Mike Nichols was such a master at translating plays to screen. His film adaptation of Closer is still one of my favorites (second to The Birdcage).
see Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? if you haven't already
A master work, a true classic. It's not often we get films like this that just make you feel good every single time you see it.
i LOVE this style! I feel like it happens more often with British films especially with directors who were classically trained. All My Friends Hate Me is such a good example of this phenomenon
I watched this the day he died. Extraordinary hilarious as always, when I first got with my partner, this was one of the first movies I'd show them. Now it's one of our favorites. Great dissection
I remember that day very well :(
@@CinemaStix literally cancelled my camping trip because of it
One of my favourites. Used to watch this with my mom growing up - we’d laugh so much and quote it together. I miss her. Great video essay!
It's bittersweet watching the 90's Birdcage. It's truly one of the few Adult comedy films that couples can watch and laugh together equally. Most other comedy's are slanted toward a certain demographic and leaves your partner twiddling their thumbs while you laugh hysterically. Robin Williams could do that with films and with how fractured cultures are these days, I don't think we'll see someone who can pull that off in our lifetimes.
I’m not even sure that modern comedy can sustain a comedian of his caliber anymore. It’s all so dry, quiet, and slow now. He was like a last gasp of the old-style comedy that he grew up on, but now it’s been returned to the margins of tropey Snatch Game references and cinephiles instead of mainstream culture.
This video put such a huge smile on my face. Thank you for that!!! I loved The Birdcage so much. RIP to the great Robin Williams. I remain thankful that, because he had just done Mrs. Doubtfire, he refused the part of Albert; that left the door open for him and Nathan Lane to become my favorite movie couple since Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci. 🤗🤗
:D
Birdcage is one of the finest movies ever! Out of all of Robin Williams films I love this one the most. It might be my fondness for a well cast ensemble. I do know I miss the heck out of Robin. Nobody has made me laugh and cry at the same time like he did.
One of my comfort films. Great video!
:)
The scene of Robin Williams and Nathan Lane on the bench discussing the palimony agreement ("What difference does it make if I say you can stay or if you say I can stay?") is one of my favorite romance dialogue scenes in cinema... I'm talking up there with When Harry Met Sally's ending New Year's Eve scene ("When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.")
the scene where he falls with the pot, no knowing that it was both improvised and he saved the scene with riffing gives so much more gravitas and makes it all the more fun!
loved that quote at 6:01 by the director (i think) - "That to me is the essence of making a movie. You prepare like crazy and then wait to discover what happens. Every day a surprise, that's the joy of making movies"
i knew i recognized the birdcage! i never really understood why i love that movie so much, but i go to a performing arts school for theater so it makes sense now
This great cinema break down of this adaptation coincides with a film I watched earlier this week. The Offence, a grim 1970s Sean Connery film that, if you haven't seen, you would more than likely get a lot of mileage out of. Based on a play, it's quite visceral. Exploring the idea of trauma and it's interpersonal effects on psychology.
Birdcage is an excellent film, based on a quality play. A fine, very funny cast, and a superb director.
Comedies have to have a farcical element for me, and this one is a classic.
I adore this movie, glad it’s getting some recognition :)
I was stunned by how little came up when I searched anything in the realm of “birdcage analysis” on YT.
-Danny
God, I love The Birdcage. It’s been my top fave for years. Never thought of it being shot like a stage play, but I definitely won’t be able to unsee that now. 🤔
one of the most underrated youtube channels out there rn. Can confidently say that you fill the hole left by EveryFrameAPainting (RIP)
one of my all-time favorites! I laugh every time I watch this movie, and Armand's speech about not changing for the sake of the senator holds such a special place in my heart. I also really love how the movie's use of color draws such clear lines between the locations and lifestyles it depicts: South Beach, its buildings, lighting, and the clothing worn there are always colorful and vibrant, and the senator's home, car, and clothes are all neutral and dark. definitely helps to contribute to the idea that these two families which could not be more different are coming together for the sake of their children.
another movie like this you might want to watch (if you haven't already): To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar. it's got a cast of action movie stars playing drag queens on a cross-country road trip to Hollywood. I'm not sure what would be cinematically interesting about this, but it's a silly, sweet, heartfelt movie and I watched it immediately after watching The Birdcage and loved it.
and from one cinema nerd to another: thank you for your channel! I love learning about new things, especially anything involving movies, and your channel is so incredibly informative. I learn something new every time I watch one of your videos.
' This movie was based on my life! '
- George Santos
Thanks to your video, I've rediscovered this film and am appreciating it anew. It's so amazing to rewatch something decades later and uncover so many layers I was too young to appreciate.
It's been one of favourite movies since I was a kid. I rewatched for the 1000th time a few weeks back. It's so good it never gets old.
I have seen this movie literally hundreds of times and EVERY time I watch it I catch something I've never seen before becaue the background is just so filled with stuff. Definitely in my top 3 favorite movies ever.
This movie is legend status. Thanks for giving it the props it deserves.
One of the greatest comedies ever
I miss Robin so much. So I'm going to watch The Birdcage again. Thank you.
:)
That Robin Williams scene is by far my favorite in the movie. I had known that it was an accident that they kept given how well they kept it together but with this videos added context I can now appreciate the minute details throughout.
"Sweetie, you're wasting your gum," and "Try more gum," scenes are perfection. 😆😂The whole movie is perfection. Think I'll go watch it again.
You nailed it. This is one of my favorite movies. I always loved that opening scene and how great the performances are.
Memory unlocked, thank you, I love remembering Robin ( RIP). Great video! 🔥
:)
I grew up watching this movie as a child and probably didn’t get half the jokes but loved it. Every time I see it. It gets even better.
SO loved both movies! I had never noticed the filming until you pointed it out!
This is such a favorite. Will always rewatch.
“Are you afraid of my Guatamalan-ness?” will forever be etched in my mind. 😂
Thanks to this video essay I stayed up the whole night to watch this instead. Hilarious and poignant. Extremely well-made indeed.
Another Stage Play that later became a film; that I think more deserve to know about is Saul Rubinek's Directorial Debut "Jerry and Tom". It's brilliantly shot and the way he's set up transitions to flashbacks that happen organically in shot of one location being all dressed as Winter but a quick pan revealing Summer on the opposite side of frame is masterful.
Nearly crying laughing at just this review. The Birdcage definitely needs a rewatch.
Thank you for this. I watched this when it came out in cinema and loved it and can't remember why, but this definitely makes me want to go back and fall in love with it all over again.
I cant quite literally convey how much I adore this film. Your video at 2 minutes in has me gripped. I see your lived echoed in your analysis
I've seen the play and the movie, and I can't decide which I loved more. Thank you for recognizing the genius in both!
Yeah, that's one of my favorite all-time movies! I've seen it so many times! Looooove it!
.... You really got me with that last line; "... if you miss Robin Williams as much as I do..." 😥
Thank you so much for taking the time to highlight and analyze this film! It's always been one of my favorites, and people don't talk about it nearly enough. I think a lot of people don't realize how much world-class filmmaking and acting can be contained in an over-the-top farce, which is a real shame.
It’s very true. The movie has virtually no coverage on YT. I was shocked!
-Danny
One of my favorite movies of all time, and I've seen it far to many times to remember, however, the next time I watch it, you've given me new things to look out for and enjoy. Thank you.
Also, Robin Williams, it took me until last year until I could watch him again, it just hurt so much, and coincidentally this was the first one I watched.
Great Cast, definitely gonna watch it this Week.
I have a vivid memory that my mother and aunts drug me along to the theater to see this when I was 12yo in '96. I wasn't into it then but as an adult, it really is a wonderful, colorful and absolutely hilarious movie.
I need to rewatch this one. It's been forever since I've seen it.
You made me realize why I love the movie so much. It feels like a play, a really really well acted play.
I hope Danny wouldn’t mind, but the more I watch his videos, the more I thought about the defunct channel Every Frame A Painting. Danny’s videos had the same kind of vibe that Every Frame gave me back then, still offer unique perspectives. Both channels I enjoy throughly.
I definitely don’t mind :)
-Danny
I miss Robin Williams, and I loved The Birdcage, so thank you for this upload!
Birdcage is one of my absolute favorite movies, thank you so much for talking about this movie. It feels like this movie gets no love at all.
Absolutely phenomenal, hysterical, lovely movie, and this was a great breakdown.
One of my all-time favorite films! And definitely one of the best Robin Williams films, but all the actors in it were great.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS I LOVE EVERY MOMENT IN THIS MOVIE ''how Egyptian''
I wish Nichols and May had made a hundred movies. Just love it.
Even 10 would’ve been a blessing.
always your videos are something special. Im in the 4rth year of academmy of Cinema UNC here in Argentina. And i found incredible inteligents and full of acuraccy every one of your videos. Keep that good job and u can see for the way you work it how much u love Cinema !!!
Fantastic, thank you!
Really enjoy your channel its genius and entertaining while you teach us
''Who set the table without looking at the bowls!!''
Thank you for reminding me how great this film was and still is.
This film is the perfect depiction of what it was like in Vancouver in the 80s n 90s. It was just fun. ;)
I love Birdcage and the whole cast. I didn't know about the sustained long shots used in the Birdcage. Now, I need to watch it again to see it. I enjoy learning technical things like this, a little behind the scenes.
glad you started making videos dude, you have really good stuff
Thank you!! I’m really glad I did, too :)
-Danny
I absolutely love this movie and have since I was a kid. I never would have thought of it as like a play, but that's probably part of the energy of what drew me in even back then, when I probably wasn't the target demographic.