The Birdcage
dir. Mike Nichols · 1996
Plot
Armand Goldman owns a popular drag nightclub in South Miami Beach. His long-time lover, Albert, stars there as Starina. "Their" son Val (actually Armand's by his one heterosexual fling, twenty years before) comes home to announce his engagement to Barbara Keeley, daughter of Kevin Keeley, US Senator, and co-founder of the Committee for Moral Order. The Senator and family descend upon South Beach to meet Val, his father and "mother." What ensues is comic chaos.
Why watch
"The Birdcage" is a riotous celebration of love and identity, where a flamboyant drag club owner and his partner navigate the comedic chaos of family acceptance. With sharp political satire and vibrant visuals, this film invites viewers to embrace the beauty of found family and the complexities of love that defy societal norms.
Talking points
- the intersection of identity and family
- the role of humor in addressing serious themes
- LGBTQ+ representation in media
- societal norms and their impact on love