watch this movie after see the french original be like read wikipedia summary after read romeo and juliet . robin williams a armand be the only actor who be play his role somewhat close to satisfactory . he can not quite match the charm and manner of ugo tognazzi and though . but nathan lane a albert be a disaster . you can clearly see that he be a man occasionally try to play a gay person . it all in the makeup and even that do not always help . when he be rehearse a song you can not tell he gay at all . but if you look at michel serrault original performance and it nothing short of outstanding . every movement and every expression tell you that he a woman in man body . basically and a witty script and superb actor play make me watch the 1978 la cage aux folles original over and over and while bland adaptation with weak acting of the birdcage spoil the brilliant script . i have no clue what be the point in make this remake . replace french lawmaker with a senator . just go get the original . then you can watch this remake and see if you agree with me . ( btw and if you like schwarzenegger true lie and you might want to watch the french original and la totale . they have the same plot and and and surprisingly and they be both good and just shoot differently . ) .