La cage aux folles

R

Released May 13, 1978

1h 31m

Comedy

LGBTQ+

List

96%

Tomatometer

24 Reviews

85%

Audience Score

5,000+ Ratings

Renato (Ugo Tognazzi) and Albin (Michel Serrault) are happy that their son, Laurent (Rémi Laurent), is getting married. Unfortunately, the bride's father (Michel Galabru) is a die-hard conservative -- and Renato and Albin are rather conspicuously gay. To ensure that the marriage goes off without a hitch, Albin uses his skills as a drag performer to play mom for a meeting with the in-laws. But, before long, both men learn that playing it straight isn't as easy as it seems!

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Critics Consensus

La Cage aux Folles is a fine French-Italian farce with flamboyant, charming characters and deep laughs.

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Keith Phipps

The Dissolve

As an artifact, La Cage Aux Folles remains fascinating. As a film... Well, it plays like a fascinating artifact. Though pokily staged up to its final act, it manages some real laughs.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 11, 2013

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

The comic turns in the plot are achieved with such clockwork timing that sometimes we're laughing at what's funny and sometimes we're just laughing at the movie's sheer comic invention. This is a great time at the movies.

Rated: 3.5/4

Oct 23, 2004

Full Review

J.D. Doyle

Our Own Community Press (Norfolk, VA)

The result is very funny; and the humor seems to provide something for everyone.

May 3, 2023

Full Review

5th Freedom Staff

5th Freedom (Buffalo)

There were segments in this superb film that engulf one in laughter and ones that evoke tears, and I experienced both.

May 3, 2023

Full Review

Michael Bronski

Gay Community News (Boston)

A bright, funny, human spot of comedy.

Sep 15, 2022

Full Review

Jesús Fernández Santos

El Pais (Spain)

It's clear that if it hadn't been for the work of the actors, the satire and possible critique would have vanished in an instant. [Full Review in Spanish]

Aug 5, 2019

Full Review

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PridePosterStudios

Fabulous French farce!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/24/24

Full Review

Audience Member

An endearing, enjoyable, laugh out loud, french/Italian comedy. Glorious performances from Michel Serrault and Ugo Tognazzi, along with the sound score, of the lustrous Ennio Morricone. I remember seeing this delightful film, for the first time, in its original version, in the late 70's at the TLA theater, in old city Philadelphia. Joyful memories...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

georgan g

This movie is one of my all time favorites. Funny is putting it mildly. One of the earlier films that is gay-positive.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

james g

Watching this now, for at least the second time since the 1980s, is a revelation. This story is a classic. The performances very good. But, "The Birdcage" is better and funnier, probably because of Robin Williams masterclass performance.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Yes, subtitles! But it's worth getting into them as this film will hook you with the personalities. You feel for both parties, and laugh at the extreems one party goes, to fulfill lifes ambitions. Lovely, entertaining and you long for more.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

uncle p

Story/Screenplay: (5/5) Really well written and original comedy. Funny from start to finish. Duration/Tempo: (4.5/5) At 1 hour and 37 minutes, it's a short movie that felt longer because I was getting a headache from reading subtitles. It's a personal thing. Subtitles distract me from what I'm trying to watch. Cast & Crew: (4.5/5) Excellent performances from Ugo Tognazzi and Michel Serrault. Summary: (4.5/5) The story and cast were excellent, and the film had excellent pacing. It would have felt short had it not been for my personal bane: subtitles. A strong thumbs up.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Edouard Molinaro

Director

Ugo Tognazzi

Renato Baldi

Michel Serrault

Albin Mougeotte

Michel Galabru

Simon Charrier

Claire Maurier

Simone

Remy Laurent

Laurent Baldi

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La Cage aux Folles: Official Clip - Just Like John Wayne

1:56

La Cage aux Folles: Official Clip - A Real Butler

2:24

La Cage aux Folles: Official Clip - The Ruse is Ruined

2:29

La Cage aux Folles: Official Clip - Albin's Leaving

2:10

La Cage aux Folles: Official Clip - Buttering Toast Like a Man

3:06

La Cage aux Folles: Official Clip - Laurent's "Mother"

2:25

La Cage aux Folles: Official Clip - The Parents' Reaction

2:48

La Cage aux Folles: Official Clip - You Don't Love Me Anymore

2:01

La Cage aux Folles: Official Clip - Escaping in Drag

2:38

La Cage aux Folles: Official Clip - He's Getting Married

2:16

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Synopsis

Renato (Ugo Tognazzi) and Albin (Michel Serrault) are happy that their son, Laurent (Rémi Laurent), is getting married. Unfortunately, the bride's father (Michel Galabru) is a die-hard conservative -- and Renato and Albin are rather conspicuously gay. To ensure that the marriage goes off without a hitch, Albin uses his skills as a drag performer to play mom for a meeting with the in-laws. But, before long, both men learn that playing it straight isn't as easy as it seems!

Director: Edouard Molinaro
Screenwriter: Marcello Danon, Edouard Molinaro, Jean Poiret, Francis Veber
Distributor: United Artists, Criterion Collection, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, LGBTQ+
Original Language: French (Canada)
Release Date (Theaters): May 13, 1978, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 30, 2017
Runtime: 1h 31m

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