The Birdcage is a 1996 American comedy film directed by Mike Nichols, starring Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, and Dianne Wiest. The script was written by Elaine May, based on the 1978 French-Italian comedy La Cage aux Folles by Jean Poiret.
The plot revolves around the owner of a drag club in South Beach, Florida, named Armand Goldman (Robin Williams), and his partner and star performer, Albert (Nathan Lane). Armand's son, Val (Dan Futterman), announces that he wants to marry his girlfriend, Barbara (Calista Flockhart), the daughter of a conservative Senator, Kevin Keeley (Gene Hackman), and his wife, Louise (Dianne Wiest). However, Barbara's parents are unaware of their daughter's fiancé's unconventional family, including his two gay fathers.
In order to impress Barbara's parents and appease their conservative values, Val convinces Armand and Albert to pose as a traditional heterosexual couple. The situation becomes more complicated when Barbara's parents arrive unexpectedly, and Val's biological mother, Katherine Archer (Christine Baranski), also arrives, adding to the confusion and deception.
The film portrays the clash of cultures between the flamboyant, LGBT+ community of the drag club and the uptight, conservative values of Barbara's family. The characters navigate their way through humorous and awkward situations, ultimately learning to accept and appreciate each other's differences.
The Birdcage was well-received by critics and audiences alike, praised for its witty script, excellent performances, and positive representation of LGBT+ characters. It was a box office success, grossing over $185 million worldwide. The film has since become a beloved classic and a trailblazing moment for queer representation in mainstream Hollywood cinema.
