La cage dorée

This comedy is full of hilarious words and moments. For a charming film to be hilarious as well, it is rare. The plot stands well and is intelligent. We are never sure how it will end.

Let's say it first, members of the Portuguese community will probably like this movie more than the average viewer, particularly regarding all the little details (verbal tics for example). But is it really abnormal for that type of movie ?

In this sense, it must be noted that Ruben Alves, to his credit, managed to depict this community with sincerity, accuracy and tenderness. The gallery of characters, from the main to the supporting, is outstanding and perfectly played by all the actors (to think Rita Blanco didn't speak French before shooting is incredible !).

The plot is very classic, but the quality of the dialogues, actors and mise-en-scène easily compensate for this lack of originality and make La Cage Dorée a very enjoyable movie.

I just watched this film and the immediate takeaway was that I should have watched it sooner. The movie has a strong base on stereotypes, giving you, from the beginning, a very generalized emigrated Portuguese family, appealing in a great way to Portuguese viewers. However, this movie is not, and should not be, restricted to those same viewers and a viewer that is not Portuguese will be able to have a pleasant time enjoying the movie.

The dialogue is made in a great way, satirizing a whole generation of Portuguese emigrants, that mix the french and Portuguese language in a comical way. The acting is also on point and the actors were able to carry a great story, filled with just the right amount of comedy and dramatic moments.

The movie is good and while stereotyping a lot of things for history purpose, it kinda escapes the stereotype that has been formed about Portuguese movies: that they suck (or are average at best). I wouldn't call it a masterpiece, but it sure is an enjoyable film, granted to put some tears in your eyes and some smiles on your face.

Exceeded all expectations; it's a gem of a movie, especially for a Portuguese one! Nice plot, a perfect cast, a postcard location in Portugal and, most of all, a whole generation in a self-portrait of the Portuguese community in France, with some tears between many laughs…

Even so, I do believe that director Ruben Alves missed the chance to end the movie a few instants earlier, closing a comedy in the traditional drama's style, as last minutes appeals for some tears from the audience. In my opinion, the plot is too strong to begin and end as a comedy, and some work might have been done to take the opportunity to run the movie in a serious "La Vita È Bella" style, instead of the silly path for the nice feeling sensation, with Pauleta's presence being a completely non-sense – as the Brazilian's says, "Puxa Saco" (it has no translation)!

Anyway, I strongly recommend it to be seen; we only have a masterpiece like this once in a while

Without telling the story of the first movie of the film director Ruben Alves, "La cage dorée" is a comedy that deals with relations between immigrants and French; employers and employees, parents and children; neighbors; lovers and close family in a small community in central Paris. The film is a feel good comedy and touches the heart by the beautiful, funny and smart dialogues, the perfect interpretation of French and Portuguese actors, first and second roles, and a discrete and sensitive mise en scene. It is not necessary to be French or Portuguese to be moved by the issues and personal choices of the main characters, just have some feelings.