Movie Rewatch Review – The Birdcage

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2 responses to “Movie Rewatch Review – The Birdcage”

1. 

   Kevo

   December 4, 2018

   So I was first drawn to this review in surprise – such an old film now! And then the phraseology of the post, “equal parts amused and mortified,” caught my interest – especially as a gay dude with some strong opinions on queer fiction. I really appreciated the sensitivity and concern this review was met with. I have to say, though, that it’s funny to hear someone say they don’t remember people being quite so terrified of gay men in 1997, because in my experience many are still that terrified of us in 2018. In fact, a lot of the themes here are still applicable to this day. Callista Flockhart’s parents are far from the most conservative, bigoted people I’ve ever seen, and someone being ashamed of their gay parents or family or siblings is absolutely still very common – hence Boy Erased.

   A lot of people (especially straight folk and the younger queer set) don’t really know or don’t remember what the world was like for LGBTQ+ people before Will & Grace. It’s easy to forget how that and the savage beating of Matthew Shepard came a full two-and-a-half years after The Birdcage came out. Heck, that was even a full year before Ellen came out on her show – a move that prompted the network to put a parental advisory before every episode going forward. The Birdcage seems so tame by today’s standards that, when searching for its MPAA rating, I found two parent blogs giving it a thumbs-up to show kids 14 and up. But the film is Rated R, and it’s hard to find a real reason listed anywhere other than “Adult Content.” The fact is, many films still find themselves with R-ratings simply for having gay themes (https://mic.com/articles/97198/the-mpaa-has-some-explaining-to-do-for-this-movie-s-r-rating).

   What’s worse is that, because of this lack of awareness, many have become complacent. I was ten when the film came out, just starting to realize that I was different, and I remember the uncomfortable *wink-nod* way the commercials for it were handled. Never outright saying what was going on here, like it was a secret you couldn’t speak, even with actors as famous as the Genie and Timon and Lex Luthor. Things are better now, yes, but you still have people who roll their eyes and ask why it matters if there’s visibly gay characters in the Harry Potter films. Well, the answer is, LGBTQ+ ten-year-olds need to see themselves in fiction. They need to be shown that it’s okay to be them. They shouldn’t have to feel like their identity is a secret that can’t be spoken, the way this film was dealt with despite its “live out loud” message, the way many queer stories are still dealt with.

   There’s a lot of good to be found from this film, and we’ve even come a long was since it was produced. Sadly, though, you could produce it today with VERY few changes and it would still be completely accurate and believable.

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2. 

   Jill Florio

   December 7, 2018

   Kevo! Thank you for your kind comments. I never really know what the ‘rules’ are for talking about people’s differences. I have an Asperger’s viewpoint on life, and have found that all I want is for people to ASK me how to be thoughtful and progressive about it. It’s not something I’m ashamed of, although I still see that conditions considered as mental illness make people mighty uncomfortable. So I’m not comparing my situation to yours: indeed, I find people on the Autism Spectrum in media to amuse and comfort me: characters like Rain Man, Sheldon Cooper, the Good Doctor, Newt Scamander, and Gary from Alphas make me smile and hope the ‘Stigma’ is lessened by public exposure.

   Of course, I have no idea how queer fiction is digested by people on the LGTBQ+ spectrum. I’d love to hear more from someone like you who appreciates compassionate yet fun entertainment.

   But back to the Birdcage. I’m saddened to hear that people like Hackman’s senator are still out there, judging, and that it actually gets worse than that.

   I’d love to post a article here if you wanted to write it about this: “it’s hard to find a real reason listed anywhere other than “Adult Content.” The fact is, many films still find themselves with R-ratings simply for having gay themes (https://mic.com/articles/97198/the-mpaa-has-some-explaining-to-do-for-this-movie-s-r-rating).”

   I actually think the TV show Glee did a lot to help people get over the hump of thinking gay people were abnormal. Tell me if this is offensive, as I only mean it with respect. But I loved that Rachel had two dads and it was a non-issue (plus Jeff Goldblum is always a hoot). Kurt Hummel and his dad Burt dealt with this through the show’s entire run, and I’d give Burt an award for best dad ever. Also, we had Santana and her coming out issues. IDK. I love to sing and act, and this show reminded me fondly of my own years with the high school drama club, where it was okay to be a weirdo (me) or queer (lots of the guys).

   On to Dumbledore: I think they are still skirting the issue that the love of Dumbledore’s life was Grindelwald. Sure, the fans know this, but the casual viewer probably won’t pick up on it. Albus looks into the Mirror of Erised, and sees not “warm socks” (as he said in the first book), but Grindelwald and he as beautiful young men. I think that was amazing and I should have seen it coming, but doubt it was clear what their relationship actually was. Do you think it was something the casual Harry Potter viewer would clue into?

   ( I also would have liked to know if the Blood Pact did in fact kill Ariana, but maybe the movies will get there later.)

   Did you like Boy Erased, or Love, Simon? Just curious. Also, that old lovely film Victor/Victoria: one of my favorite comedy films ever.

   I think that’s a good insight about Will and Grace. Jack was an awful lot like Hank Azaria’s Agador; people loved Jack and that the show went mainstream says some good things I think, about society.

   Although, tis true, on so many levels we humans have a lot of evolving to do.

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