The Birdcage (M) PRESENTED IN 35MM FILM

The Birdcage (M, 1996) 30th Anniversary Presented in 35mm Film by The Revival House Perth

Armand Goldman (Robin Williams) and Albert (Nathan Lane) are a longtime gay couple living in Miami Beach, where Armand owns the fabulous nightclub "The Birdcage," a drag cabaret. Their peaceful, flamboyant life is disrupted when Armand's son Val (Dan Futterman) announces his engagement to Barbara (Calista Flockhart), the daughter of a conservative U.S. Senator running for office on a family values platform. To preserve the relationship and help his son's prospects, Val begs Armand and Albert to pose as a straight couple when Barbara's family visits. This sets off a comedic catastrophe as the couple attempts to butch it up and hide their true selves, while Albert's exuberant drag persona and Armand's carefully constructed heterosexual facade constantly threaten to crumble. The arrival of Barbara's family creates escalating chaos as misunderstandings pile up and the truth proves impossible to conceal.

Director Mike Nichols brings warmth and genuine heart to this 1996 comedy about acceptance and authenticity. Robin Williams delivers a surprisingly restrained performance as Armand, playing the role for emotional truth rather than manic energy, while Nathan Lane steals every scene as the irrepressible Albert, whose refusal to hide who he is becomes the film's moral center. The supporting cast—including Gene Hackman and Dianne Wiest as Barbara's bewildered parents—brings comic talent to increasingly absurd situations. The film works as both farce and genuine examination of parental love and family acceptance, suggesting that loving someone means accepting their truth rather than demanding they hide it. It's a comedy that laughs with rather than at its characters, celebrating their authenticity while mocking the hypocrisy of those who demand conformity.

Original format and audio experience of this film faithfully reproduced by The Revival House. Presented in 35mm film unless noted otherwise.

When: Thursday, August 6th at 7:20PM
Where: The Revival House at the Como Theatre
Rating: M (Low level coarse language)