The Birdcage (1996)

An unmissable entry in queer cinema, The Birdcage is the sort of movie that will change hearts and minds through laughter and community.

Central to the film is self-acceptance, as we see the consequences of Armand, played by Robin Williams, and Albert, played by Nathan Lane, trying to suppress and hide who they really are for the sake of Armand's son. The resulting scheme is elaborate, a real-time demonstration of the complex struggles and unsustainability of being forced into the closet.

Clarity comes at the end when the truth is revealed: our protagonists don't need to change, people looking down on them do. This is seen in Armand's son relenting, embracing Albert as his parent, and doing so in front of a high-profile conservative who is bigoted against gay people.

The Birdcage cannot be discussed without mentioning the relentlessly strong comedy. Robin Williams and Nathan Lane reach heights of hilarity scarcely seen in cinema. Nathan Lane's hysterics are a particular highlight. Some lines are too funny to ignore, and delivered with gusto: "You know, I used to feel that way too until I found out that Alexander the Great was a fag. Talk about gays in the military!"

The chaos of the dinner scene is also excellent, with the audience's amusement and anxieties pulling in the same direction with every misstep in the plan. Seeing the senator in drag is also funny, but significant as it represents the termination of his arc and an important moment of kind-hearted admonishment.

Perhaps most importantly, the film contains a fundamentally positive message for its viewers, offering validation for all and a gentle lesson in tolerance for those in need. Always hilarious, good-natured, and wise in the message it metes out, The Birdcage is essential viewing.