The Birdcage is a 1996 American comedy directed by Mike Nichols, with a screenplay by Elaine May. It is an adaptation of the 1978 Franco-Italian film La Cage aux Folles, based on Jean Poiret’s original stage play of the same name. The film stars Robin Williams as Armand Goldman, Nathan Lane as Albert Goldman, Gene Hackman as Senator Kevin Keeley, and Dianne Wiest as Louise Keeley. Dan Futterman and Calista Flockhart play Val Goldman and Barbara Keeley, the young couple whose engagement sets the story in motion.
The story is set in South Beach, Miami, where Armand Goldman (Robin Williams) runs a successful drag nightclub called The Birdcage. His long-time partner, Albert (Nathan Lane), is the clubโs star performer, known onstage as “Starina.” The two live a comfortable and loving life together, with Armand serving as the more reserved figure and Albert as the exuberant, emotional counterpart.
Their idyllic routine is disrupted when Armandโs son, Val (Dan Futterman)โthe result of a one-night affair years earlierโannounces his engagement to Barbara Keeley (Calista Flockhart). Barbara is the daughter of ultra-conservative Senator Kevin Keeley (Gene Hackman) and his wife Louise (Dianne Wiest). Senator Keeley, a co-founder of the โCoalition for Moral Order,โ finds himself embroiled in a political scandal involving another prominent conservative. To distract the media, the Keeleys plan a “family values” publicity event, which coincides with Barbaraโs desire to introduce her fiancรฉโs parents.
Aware of the Keeleys’ traditionalist values, Val begs his father to conceal his relationship with Albert. He proposes that Armand and Albert pose as a conventional straight couple for one evening. To further the illusion, Val invites his biological mother, Katherine (Christine Baranski), to play the role of his mother at dinner. Albert, hurt and offended by the request, eventually decides to go along with the plan to support Val.