Colibel Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

Anoushka Slater While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Taha Avalos The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

Lachlan Coulson This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

rooprect Like many Americans, I saw the remake "Birdcage" first. Only recently did I get a copy of the original. "La Cage aux Folles" is a great comedy, well deserving of its praise and classic status; I just wish I had seen it before I saw "Birdcage".The reason is (through no fault of the original French filmmakers and actors), the American remake is one of the few films that did a good job of suiting it for American audiences. They got some of the most recognizable and endearing actors, and they really played on the humor of America's brutal division between Conservatives and Liberals. In other words, it hits home."La Cage" carries more of a nostalgic distance, in the fact that it's both European and an older 70s film. Like watching "Casablanca", you can get engrossed in the film, but you never quite picture yourself in context ...especially when you keep thinking of Robin Williams and Nathan Lane who both did an excellent job of staying true to the original characters played by Tognazzi and Serrault.OK, enough irrelevant comparisons. I just wanted to get that out first, in case you're pondering whether to watch "La Cage" or "Birdcage" first. Definitely start with "La Cage"."La Cage aux Folles" is simply fabulous. With a screenplay by Francis Veber, whose pinpoint comedy and wit makes him a modern day Moliere, you can't go wrong. Gags are handled with the perfect finesse, even the corny slapstick ones. The scene where Michel Serrault is learning (very unsuccessfully) how to butter his toast "like a real man" had me howling. I can't imagine how Ugo Tognazzi could keep a straight face.Other memorable gags happen throughout the film, and whether you're French, American or Martian, you've got to understand the universal language of comedy. Serrault's high pitched yelp gets my vote for funniest and most infectious sound uttered by a human since Homer Simpson's "D'OH!" The story itself, while purportedly being about drag queens of loose moral character (haha), is safe, clean and absolutely fun for the whole family. Sexuality aside, it's simply a classic comedy of errors that anyone can enjoy.

Chrysanthepop Edouard Molinaro's 'La Cage aux Folles' is a charming comedy that tells the story of two gay men (Renato and Albin) who own a nightclub. One day Renato's son arrives to tell them that he's getting married and that he wants his father to meet his conservative future-in-laws. This leads to hilarious turns of events that are best witnessed directly on film. I've heard many say that the French have distinct taste in humour but the international success of 'La Cage aux Folles' already speaks of its universal appeal. The actors have great comic timing. Ugo Tognazzi and Michel Serrault are very amusing as the odd couple. On the surface not a lot of affection is shown between the two but their strong bond is apparent. The art department has done a fine job especially with the look of the nightclub. Molinaro keeps it all together. He sheds some light on the French gay culture of the 70s. I only felt that, storywise, the ending was a little rushed with the conservative parents' sudden change of decision.In the end, 'La Cage aux Folles' is a classic. Watching it yesterday, it felt fresh and made me laugh a lot.

IHeardYou-783-771623 Yes, 10 out of 10. Considering this is my first review, you might think my concept of the ratings method is somewhat juvenile, that I'm not taking it seriously or that my bar is low! But I assure you, I understand what 10 out of 10 means. This movie has been special to me since the first time I saw it in 1979, here in Toronto at the Uptown Theatre, which I'm sad to say no longer exists. I'll never forget how much these characters touched me. This movie is so camp, so hilariously funny that it's easy to forget it's really a love story. When you take away all the laughter and farce, that's what's left, a story about tolerance and love. If you delve even deeper than the obvious, you'll notice the characters who are judged and ridiculed the harshest are the ones, who in the end, tolerate and even save those doing the judging and the ridiculing! I think it's this kind of movie that accomplishes a mountain of understanding without even trying. Love is everywhere, even in places some might think it doesn't belong...it flourishes. Not only does it flourish, but it's healthy, normal and accepted wherever it's found. And that's how a movie that is NOT a message movie becomes a message movie! So there! :o) I was really sad to discover that Michele Serrault, who played the title role of Albin/ZaZa, passed away in July of 2007, leaving behind a wife and a daughter. I also had no idea what an acclaimed actor he was in his native France. He's so strongly associated with his portrayal of ZaZa that I couldn't see him playing anyone else, and I'm sure I'm not alone! I wonder how he felt about being so closely associated with ZaZa, almost to the exclusion of all the other work he did. I imagine that's only in North America though. We're the ones who discovered him as ZaZa Napoli and because he touched our hearts so deeply we can't envision him playing Othello or Hercules! OK, I'll speak for myself! I can't envision him playing Othello or Hercules, OK?! I'm looking forward to seeing him in other roles. I might not like the idea of him playing anyone other than ZaZa, but I'll give him a chance! After all he IS an actor right?!

fornlb I saw the original movie in my local movie house back when it was originally released. The rental I saw in 2006 cut out the funniest scenes that I remember. I was very disappointed and sad to see it was cut to ribbons. I fondly remember the scene at the bar and the hilarious song that accompanied it. The character Roger had a lot of funny scenes that are now missing. In fact, each character had some of their best scenes cut. Not that I am saying it still isn't excellent, if you never saw the original cut. I would bet that people are posting top rating comments based on whatever they see now. How does one get a DVD of the originally shown movie? I am a novice at renting DVDs, so if there is such a way I wish someone would clue me in at fornlb@aol.com.