LA CAGE AUX FOLLES (1978)

"Just one. Albin."

Saint-Tropez, France.  A middle-aged couple, Renato and Albin, have been together for 20 years and are still very much in love.  One evening, Renato's son Laurent (from a one-night fling two decades ago and whom they have raised) informs them that he's getting married.  They're not terribly excited since they think he is too young, but they are happy for him.  Their happiness turns to true concern though when they find out that Laurent's fiancee, Andrea, is the daughter of an ultra-conservative politician.  Even worse...the future in-laws are coming over for dinner and Andrea has not told her parents that Renato and Albin are gay men who also own the popular drag night club La Cage aux Folles (conveniently located right below their home).  Or that Albin is 24/7 a woman.

I cannot even tell you how hard I laughed at this movie.  I was fucking dying and there were multiple times that I had to rewind it just because I was laughing so hard.  The scene where Renato teaches Albin how to put butter on her toast in "a manly way" nearly killed me.  Oh my god, I'm fucking cracking up right now just thinking about it.  Anyway, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is a wonderful film and I loved every single minute of it.  I was honestly shocked that it was 97 minutes long!  I couldn't believe it.  It went by so quickly that it felt like it was just getting started... and then it was over!

I could ramble on about this film (and maybe I'll edit in some more comments in the future), but for now I'll just say that LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is truly a beautiful film and I'm so happy that I watched it.  It might even make an interesting double-feature with 1941's LOVE CRAZY.

Part 2 - La Cage aux Folles II (1980)
Part 3 - La Cage aux Folles 3: The Wedding (1985)
Remake - The Birdcage (1996)

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH (2001)

"...the pain that cuts a straight line down through the heart. We call it love."

Raised in East Germany during the Cold War, a young Hansel Schmidt found mental escape and inspiration from listening to glam rockers like Lou Reed, Iggy Pop and David Bowie. He then found actual real life escape by marrying an American soldier and moving to America. Unfortunately, in order to pass the physical to get married, he underwent a botched reassignment surgery that left her with a one inch lump of skin where his ping-ding used to be.  Once in America, the marriage (built on such a strong foundation) fails and Hansel (now Hedwig) starts performing original songs in whatever small venue will have her.  That is where our tale begins.

I absolutely love HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH...all the way up until the Tommy Gnosis character shows up. I felt that way two decades ago when I first saw this film and I've felt it the dozen or so times I've watched it again over the years.  It starts out so strong and just gets better and better!  One great song after another, each presented in such imaginative ways that effortlessly pushes the story forward.  Then Tommy Gnosis shows up and the movie putters to an unsatisfactory end.  It's disappointing.  Still, I love the character of Hedwig.  And her band (even though they aren't the focus of the film) are all so unique and likable.  Another positive thing is I cannot even decide which song I love the most.  They're all so great!  Wig in a Box, Angry Inch, Tear Me Down, Sugar Daddy, The Origin of Love, Wicked Little Town, Midnight Radio, In Your Arms Tonight, Exquisite Corpse...I mean, goddamn, how can one musical have so many awesome songs?!  If I had to pick just one performance from the film, I'd have to say Sugar Daddy.  The song with it's Country twang is great and the performance in the film is beyond charming and funny.  I smile my handsome smile the entire time.  "It's a car wash, ladies and gentlemen."  Holy shit, that scene is perfect.

Long story, short: HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH is a great film and 100% mandatory for anybody who loves glam musicals.  I personally find the last act to be disappointing, but who knows, maybe you'll love it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go spend the rest of the day singing the soundtrack to my cat, Susie. "I put on some make-up..."

[I just wanted to add that Michael Pitt does a fine job in his portrayal of the Tommy Gnosis character, I just straight-up didn't think the character needed to be in the film at all.  Hedwig's personal journey was already enough material for a film.]