The Next Reel Film Podcast

When Mike Nichols and Elaine May teamed up again for the first time in over thirty years, it was to adapt Francis Veber's most famous and celebrated works, the 1978 film La Cage aux Folles. Veber's films had been remade in English before — in fact, he'd directed a number of them — but this one was the big one so it needed to be big.

Show Notes

When Mike Nichols and Elaine May teamed up again for the first time in over thirty years, it was to adapt Francis Veber's most famous and celebrated works, the 1978 film La Cage aux Folles. Veber's films had been remade in English before — in fact, he'd directed a number of them — but this one was the big one so it needed to be big. But would it work with an American audience in the 90s? Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we continue our Francis Veber and his remakes series with Nichols' 1996 film The Birdcage.

We talk about the nature of comedy films and the experience of seeing them in theatres versus home alone, and how this one holds up when watched with an audience of one. We look at the transition from Saint-Tropez to Miami and why it works, especially with Bob Dole's moral majority. We chat about our struggles with Dan Futterman's character (and Futterman himself) and why he feels so much more selfish in this film than in the original – and what that does to the story. We praise Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Dianne Wiest, Hank Azaria, and Christine Baranski effusively, and compare the writing by May and direction by Nichols for these characters as compared to Futterman and Calista Flockhart. And we chat about Stephen Sondheim and old songs of his repurposed for this film.

It's a fun romp of a film that holds up about as well as the original. We have a great time talking about it on this week's show, so check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins.

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Creators and Guests

Host
Andy Nelson
With over 25 years of experience in film, television, and commercial production, Andy has cultivated an enduring passion for storytelling in all its forms. His enthusiasm for the craft began in his youth when he and his friends started making their own movies in grade school. After studying film at the University of Colorado Boulder, Andy wrote, directed, and produced several short films while also producing indie features like Netherbeast Incorporated and Ambush at Dark Canyon. Andy has been on the production team for award-winning documentaries such as The Imposter and The Joe Show, as well as TV shows like Investigation Discovery’s Deadly Dentists and Nat Geo’s Inside the Hunt for the Boston Bombers. Over a decade ago, he started podcasting with Pete and immediately embraced the medium. Now, as a partner at TruStory FM, Andy looks forward to more storytelling through their wide variety of shows. Throughout his career, Andy has passed on his knowledge by teaching young minds the crafts of screenwriting, producing, editing, and podcasting. Outside of work, Andy is a family man who enjoys a good martini, a cold beer, a nice cup o’ joe. And always, of course, a great movie.
Host
Pete Wright
#Movies, #ADHD, & #Podcasting • Co-founder @trustory.fm🎥 The Next Reel Family of #Film Podcasts @thenextreel.com🎙️ Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast @takecontroladhd.com📖 Co-author of Unapologetically ADHD • https://unapologeticallyadhdbook.com

What is The Next Reel Film Podcast?

A show about movies and how they connect.
We love movies. We’ve been talking about them, one movie a week, since 2011. It’s a lot of movies, that’s true, but we’re passionate about origins and performance, directors and actors, themes and genres, and so much more. So join the community, and let’s hear about your favorite movies, too.
When the movie ends, our conversation begins.