THE BIRDCAGE - Contact Hypothesis [Video Essay]

When the schnecken beckons.

1:12 Part One: The Talent Involved
10:18 Part Two: Nichols and May
14:46 Part Three: Screenplay by Elaine May
41:17 Part Four: The Contact Hypothesis

WORKS CITED

Banaji, M., Charlesworth, T. (2019). Patterns of Implicit and Explicit Attitudes: I. Long-Term Change and Stability From 2007 to 2016. Psychological Science, Volume 30 Issue 2, 174-192.

Flores, Andrew R. “National Trends in Public Opinion on LGBT Rights in the United States.” Williams Institute. November 1, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2021.

Harris, Mark. Mike Nichols: A Life. Penguin Books, 2021.

Harris, Will. "Random Roles – Hank Azaria". The A.V. Club. September 14, 2011. Retrieved August 13, 2021.

May, Elaine. The Birdcage: The Shooting Script. Newmarket Press, 1997.

Schmidt, Samantha. “Americans’ views flipped on gay rights. How did minds change so quickly?”. Washington Post. June 7, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2021.

[lucypeace]

The part where Albert is dressed in the suit in his bedroom is such an emotional scene. It makes me imagine him as a teenager alone, with no one to understand who he is and that he has to suppress his true nature, and how this man who is loved and safe to be himself has to undo decades of work to go back to that teenager. What's more heartbreaking is Nathan Lane wasn't out at the time, so you can see him tapping into his lived experience as a gay man living in a world hostile to what he is and that evokes so much empathy as you watch his face going through a range of emotion and memories we can only guess at.

Robin Williams and Nathan Lane were doing an interview on Opera for this movie and she tried to out Nathan Lane and Robin Williams interrupted her and wouldn't let her do it, steering the conversation away. I can't imagine how much she would have damaged him and his career had she done that, all for ratings. Because of Williams, Lane got to come out at a time that was comfortable to him. Williams was such a kind and empathetic man.

[KyleRayner]

My favorite thing about the Albert shopping scene is that it further emphasizes that the Goldmans are everything "family values" conservatives claim that queer families aren't: not only good parents and successful business owners, but good neighbors and respected members of their community.

[romanticulous]

"you're going to the cemetery with a toothbrush.. how Egyptian." is one of my all time favorite jokes and line deliveries. I had no idea Williams improvised the last part, and it just makes me love it even more.

[Ryan-obgp]

I appreciate the larger point this essay makes to no end. As a grade schooler in the early 90's I can attest that it was a very different time in terms of how acceptable it was to be gay. There was no greater insult. *Everything* that wasn't cool or masculine enough was "Gay". Once on a multi-night school trip away from home, I was accused of being "gay" by a bully type whose accusation even came with a story of what he 'saw' me doing with another kid. The thought alone was enough to get me ostracized from the 'entire' school class, mocked endlessly, derided at every activity. The teachers even couldn't be bothered to step in and correct anyone's behavior. In an instant, I was basically some kind of sexual predator to the entire world. Don't think I've ever felt more alone in my life.

It's good to hear that today, at least in most of the US, school kids no longer have such a potent boogeyman to use against each other. The kids I know now would never think of a gay person as gross or 'wrong'. Hopefully the contact hypothesis catches up soon to the same degree for trans kids as well.

[theprousteffect]

"Actually, it's perfect. I just never realized John Wayne walked like that."

I always thought that punchline implied that Albert's natural femininity starkly contrasted John Wayne's walk, thus allowing Armande to truly see what it looked like (AND that it looked ridiculous).

What a masterpiece of a video essay, though. Amazing work!

[chelmrtz]

Also a big deal to see a father being affectionate towards his son. My FIL, a cishet man, still hugs and kisses his adult sons. It felt weird at first to see a man being openly affectionate toward his male children but once I confronted my internal shit I realized how important it is

[Andrei-D-R]

Many of us growing up in the 90s used this film to come out to loved ones. It was that important to us.

[suno]

The scene where Armand welcomes Val is also revolutionary because it shows how behaviour can be grossly misinterpreted out of context. For decades, gay people have been misrepresented as predatory, hyper-sexual beings. This encounter challenges the viewer’s biases and assumptions off the bat. Not only that, it changes the focus from sexuality to love (parental love, most of all).
I watched this movie at the theatre in Mexico, where I was living back at 21. People there are very conservative but R Williams had such a great reputation that it probably made people open to the topic from the get go. On top of that, the movie is so good for all the reasons you’ve explained, that people were obviously rooting for them all throughout.

[GetGoodGirl]

As a queer Jew who has loved this movie forever, I really find it hilarious that not only are the undertones “they can’t know they’re gay” but also “they can’t know they’re Jewish!” too.

[Melissa-twgp]

The comedy of the “trying to be a man” scene for me is about how ludicrous performative masculinity is. The fact that men have to butter bread a certain way. It’s all so silly that it makes the senator’s ideology seem even more backwards.

Anyway, thoroughly enjoyed this video. Such an under-explored film!

[tatianamelendez]

I've watched both Birdcage and La Cage Aux Folles, and there's one crucial detail in Birdcage that, in my humble opinion, makes it better than its French predecessor, and it's about Val. The Birdcage saves Val's character. In La Cage, Val is completely reprehensible and horrible to Albert (can't remember their names in the OG movie), but the worst thing is that there's no character development. The one who proudly reveals Albert as part of the family in the end is Armand. In The Birdcage, however, Val is the one who reveals Albert as his mother, thereby bringing a satisfying conclusion to his character. Plus, throughout the movie, there's a sense of desperation behind his bad treatment of both his parents that was missing from La Cage, and while it doesn't excuse his actions, you can better understand them because at the end he stands with his true mother and regrets his precious actions, whereas La Cage's Val never has that moment of acceptance that is crucial to his character. This, among other things, is what makes me vastly prefer Birdcage to La Cage Aux Folles.

[JoTheAnomaly]

Thank you for talking about Elaine May. No one talks about Elaine May. I have a degree in theatre and I didn’t hear about her until I continued my studies on my own. She and Nichols were so important to improv and sketch comedy specifically, but also comedy writing in general.

[jojogooco]

Gene Hackman was criminally underrated with his performance in this movie, what an incredible actor, he was hilarious in this movie, not bad for someone who is considered as a very serious actor. From French Connection to Birdcage now thats what I call range.

[maureenwesley]

My Dad loved this movie, as did I, well into his 90s. We too watched it innumerable times and quoted lines to each other like a secret handshake. One of his favorite bits was imitating Nathan Lane imitating John Wayne's walk. This movie is a gift that keeps giving, and a doorway to delightful memories of my playful "fanboy" Dad. Thanks for this long homage...

[JuliHoffman]

Great video! My husband introduced me to The Birdcage while I was in labor with our kiddo, 19 years ago. I hadn't seen this movie before and my husband knew it would distract me from my contractions. He was right! 🤣Since then, we drag this movie back out around kiddo's birthday and my husband and I watch it together. This movie has a special place in my heart. Thank you for all your insights.

[michaelkelly]

This is a criminally under-watched video.
What a fantastic analysis of a gem of a movie.

[melissah]

Probaly one of, if not THE best American remake of a fantastic foreign film. As a fan of La Cage Aux Folles, I was concerned that there would be this American version. I really shouldn't have had any concern about Robin Williams, because he was incredible and didn't over play it as I thought he might. Nathan Lane was incredible! The scene with him in a suit, trying to sit "like a man" was amazing. Not a single word, and he owned that scene! What amazing cast for this film and incredible performances. Everyone behind the camera, fantastic. This is one of those few movies in existence...the Perfect Film. Thanks for doing this indepth history of this film and those responsible for it.

[kyleecook]

This is just such a comfort movie. I love Albert with my everything and just...I want to hug this character so often during the run time.

[dasikakn]

32:18 this part just broke my heart for Albert the first time I saw this scene in the 90s. Why does the world create problems for such a lovely man and hold him in judgment. He’s who he is and trying his best to be a productive member of his community.

[p.echegaray]

I’m only 19 minutes in and I’ve been smiling like a fool the whole time. Thank you for helping me appreciate a movie that’s already dear to my heart all that much more.