Page 8
Cage bound
Handles delicate
by John Hafner
Collegian Staff
The key phrase to this decade is
no doubt "political correctness."
Each of us is expected to be
sensitive to, or at least tolerant
of, other people's needs and
opinions.
So how do you produce a film
about two homosexual men and
their son without inciting
opposition and protest from
certain sectors?
That's easy. You combine the
comic genius of Robin Williams
and Nathan Lane with the "tough
guy" image of Gene Hackman.
Their collective effort is called
"The Birdcage" and it opened in
local theaters last week.
Williams and Lane co-star as
Armand and Albert, a gay couple
who have been together for years.
Armand owns a drag club called
"The Birdcage," a local hot spot
rig ( 20 ._ Iscaa
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along a strip of night clubs, and
Albert is his most popular
performer.
The film's story line focuses
on Armand's son, Val, and his
engagement to the daughter of a
conservative senator (played by
Hackman). The Senator just
happens to be running for re
election, and his campaign is
anything but solid.
As chairman of the Committee
for Moral Order, the Senator
senses the danger surrounding his
future son-in-law's family. The
press would have a field day with
their unique situation, and that
could potentially tarnish the
Senator's public image as a hard
nosed, right-wing politician.
Val also sees the impending
awkwardness and embarrassment.
In an attempt to keep things "in
the closet," so to speak, Val
gives his dad a crash course in
0
c
I rt,(
THE LOGAN WINTERGARDEN SERIES
Entertain
MUSIC
NOON
for success
issues with class
masculinity. Subjects they cover
include, but are not limited to,
walking, talking, fashion, and
table manners. They also
redecorate their loft, removing
their pastel paintings and their
flamboyant furnishings.
The Birdcage
focuses on
the side
splitting
situation of
one truly
unique family.
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AND ENJOY WORLD-CLASS PERFORMANCES
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One problem remains, though.
Val must decide what to do about
Albert, Armand's insecure,
pretentious partner. Feeling
unappreciated, Albert throws one
of his usual temper tantrums and
storms out of the loft.
The situation is resolved, but I
won't reveal how. Let's just say
that it involves Albert's overtly
feminine personality, a wig,
some lipstick, and the fact that
someone is needed to play the
role of Val's "mother."
"The Birdcage" is definitely
bound for box office success. Its
hilarious mishaps throw political
correctness out the window and
handle an otherwise delicate issue
in a classy manner. It sidesteps
the debate over whether or not
homosexuals should raise
children and focuses instead on
the side-splitting situation of one
truly unique family.
BREHM SEM QUARTET
WEIDNIESIDAIV, IMAItCII 2 7
PENNSTATE
Thursday, March 21, 1996
Erie
Think you've got
what it takes to run
the paper?
Then DO IT!
The Collegian is
now accepting
applications for
Editor in Chief and
section editors.
To apply, you must be a
full-time student in good
standing.
Applications must
include a resume and
your assessment of
The Collegian.
Applications are due in
the Office of Student
Activities by 5 p.m.
April 5, 1996
The Behrend
Cpliege