MovieChat Forums > The Birdcage (1996) Discussion > SOLVED When did Sen. Keeley do the speec...

SOLVED When did Sen. Keeley do the speech about leaves in New England?

posted 11 years ago by smoko
12 replies | jump to latest

Robin Williams mentions in an AMA that Gene Hackman's character's speech about the leaves in New England was one of the funniest, driest pieces of comedy he'd ever seen:
http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1n41x1/robin_williams_its_time_f or_a_convoluted_stream/ccf6o8e

I can't even remember this speech, and can't find it using Google. Can someone tell me when in the movie it happens?

OK, found it. For anyone who wanted to know his speech happens around 78 minutes in.

[–] BrooklynNellie 11 years ago

In the car during the drive to Miami.

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"The mind wobbles..." -Kelly Bundy

[–] smoko 11 years ago

@BrooklynNellie There are several cuts to the drive but I still couldn't find it. Can you be more specific please? Maybe the approximate time in the movie in which it happens?

[–] PreachCaleb 11 years ago

Isn't that the scene during the dinner party when he's just going on and on about the leaves? I love it. It's so dull. lol

Straightedge means I'm better than you.

[–] smoko 11 years ago

@PreachCaleb So now it's during the dinner party? Great.

Can someone say specifically when it occurs?

[–] PreachCaleb 11 years ago

The only time Keeley talks about leaves is right before dinner is served.

They're all sitting in the chairs facing each other, I believe champagne has been served, and he's just dully going on and on about some leaves.

It's hilarious how bland and uninteresting it is.

Straightedge means I'm better than you.

[–] smoko 11 years ago

@PreachCaleb Yep, I just watched it. Hilarious - awkward humor, maybe before awkward humor became a thing. Thank you.

[–] davemerino 10 years ago

It's at 1:21:01, that's where he goes on and on and on and on about the colors changing. I mean "Seriuosly?" It's just dying tree leaves for God's sake.

[–] davemerino 10 years ago

So when Sen Keel y says "Purple mountains"... I have always wondered: are they purple because of the moonshine?

[–] Minuet888 10 years ago

Seriously? You've never heard in our patriotic song "For purple mountains majesty above the fruited plains, America! America! God shed his grace on thee on crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea"

Maybe THAT'S why there are purple mountains?
Some of the questions on here I swear, people not remembering the wedding, not remembering when Gene Hackman goes on and on about the leaves and people thinking it happens in the car it's like people didn't even watch the movie.

[–] princesstinymeat 10 years ago

I'm pretty sure he's talking about Virginia, not New England.

[–] smoko 10 years ago

@princesstinymeat Tell that to Robin Williams... oh.

Too soon?

[–] sohrmn 10 years ago

The U.S. Senators speechless have also helped to serve the story, beyond being funny and highlighting how utterly dull a politicians speech can be.

The man praises the diversity found within the trees and fooliage, but is very uncomfortable with human dignity. Am I the only person to notice the irony behind that speech...