The Birdcage is a 1996 American comedy film directed by Mike Nichols and starring Robin Williams, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, and Dianne Wiest. The film is a remake of the 1978 Franco-Italian film La Cage aux Folles. In the film, Williams and Lane play a gay couple living in South Beach, Florida who own a drag nightclub. When their son gets engaged, he asks them to pretend to be straight and conform to his fiancée’s conservative parents’ expectations. This leads to a series of hilarious mishaps as they try to keep up the charade.
Armand Goldman
The “gay guy” in question is Armand Goldman, played by Robin Williams. Armand is the more straight-laced and domestic partner in the relationship, providing a foil to his flamboyant partner Albert. He owns and operates The Birdcage nightclub in South Beach, where Albert stars as the drag queen headliner “Starina.” When his son Val announces his engagement to the daughter of a conservative politician, Armand sees an opportunity to finally meet his son’s fiancée and her family. This sets off the main conflict of the film, as Armand tries to conceal his relationship with Albert in order to please the expectations of Val’s future in-laws. Throughout the film, he must pretend Albert is merely his housekeeper and hide his identity as Val’s father. This proves challenging but leads to hilarious antics.
Background on Armand Goldman
Armand Goldman is one of the protagonists and title characters in The Birdcage (the other being Albert). Here is some background information on Armand:
- He is played by acclaimed actor Robin Williams, who demonstrates his comedic skills and range in this film.
- Armand owns The Birdcage nightclub in South Beach, Miami and performs there occasionally as “Mr. Goldman.”
- He has been in a committed relationship with Albert for over 20 years and they raised Armand’s son Val together, who refers to Albert as his mother.
- Armand is Val’s biological father from a short-lived relationship before he met Albert.
- He is more domestic and reserved compared to Albert, providing contrast between them.
- When Val gets engaged to the daughter of a conservative politician, Armand pretends to be straight and that Albert is just his housekeeper.
- He struggles to conceal his relationship throughout the fiancée’s family’s visit and keep Val’s origins a secret.
- Armand dresses more modestly than Albert but has his own sense of style with ascots and sweaters.
- He loves Albert deeply despite their clashing personalities and works to protect their relationship.
This provides more context on Armand Goldman’s character, lifestyle, and role in the comedic chaos that ensues in The Birdcage.
Relationship with Albert Goldman
Armand Goldman’s partner Albert Goldman, played by Nathan Lane, has a very different personality compared to Armand. Here is an overview of Armand’s relationship with Albert:
- They have been domestic partners for over 20 years and live together above The Birdcage nightclub.
- Albert is a drag queen and the star performer at the club under the name “Starina.” He is flamboyant both on and off stage.
- Armand and Albert have very different interests and temperaments but care deeply about each other.
- They adopted and raised Armand’s biological son Val together, who sees them both as his parents.
- When Val gets engaged, Armand tries to pass off Albert as a straight housekeeper and hide their relationship to impress Val’s future in-laws.
- This is challenging for Armand as Albert’s dramatic personality threatens to reveal the truth.
- Armand gets increasingly frustrated with Albert but ultimately wants to defend their love.
- Their relationship is tested through the sham with Val’s wedding but showcases Armand’s devotion to Albert.
- In the end, Albert also demonstrates his depths of love for Armand despite their differences.
The contrast between Armand and Albert’s personalities provides much of the comedic tension but also reveals a loving partnership at the film’s center. Their relationship grounds the zany schemes to impress Val’s in-laws and is touchingly reaffirmed.
Armand’s Coming Out Story
Though Armand Goldman is openly gay during the events of The Birdcage, he had his own coming out story and self-discovery earlier in life. Here are some key points about Armand coming to terms with his sexuality:
- He had an early marriage to a woman which resulted in his son Val’s birth. The relationship did not last long.
- After the dissolution of this marriage, Armand realized he was gay and fully accepted his sexual orientation.
- Being a gay man in the 1970s and 80s was challenging, as society was still not very accepting.
- Armand found community and acceptance in the underground drag and LGBTQ nightclub scene.
- He met his longtime partner Albert Goldman at one of the clubs and they fell in love.
- Armand came out to friends and family, which was difficult but ultimately accepted.
- He and Albert opened up The Birdcage nightclub together, creating a safe space for drag performers and the LGBTQ community.
- Armand expressed his identity through performing at the club occasionally as his drag persona “Mr. Goldman.”
- He lived as an openly gay man with Albert and felt embraced by the LGBTQ community in South Beach.
Though Armand was able to live as his true self with Albert, he had to go back into the closet temporarily when Val announced his engagement to appease the conservative in-laws. His coming out story provides context on his identity and community.
Armand’s Personality and Sense of Style
Armand Goldman has a more conservative personality and aesthetic compared to his flamboyant partner Albert which complements Albert’s dramatic flashiness. Here are some details on Armand’s personality and style:
- Personality: more straight-laced, domestic, neurotic, conservative, the “straight man” in contrast to Albert
- Speech and mannerisms: uses more reserved body language and gestures compared to Albert, speaks with a Miami accent in a nasal tone
- Aesthetics: favors modest button-down shirts, sweaters, slacks,robe ensembles with ascots for a touch of sophistication
- Color palette: gravitates towards neutral and earth tones rather than bright hues
- Home decor: has decorated their South Beach apartment with ornate antique furniture, floral prints, sculpture, and bric-a-brac in a fussy style
- Cuisine: enjoys cooking elaborately presented, traditional continental dishes for Albert and guests
- Entertainment interests: indulges Albert’s love of pop divas and show tunes but also maintains his own interests in opera, theater, and arthouse films
Armand’s conservative manner and wardrobe choices provide great comedic contradiction when paired with Albert’s loud, garish aesthetic. However, Armand’s style also conveys his sophistication and class. His personality ground the absurdity while highlighting his unique identity.
Armand’s Job and Responsibilities
In addition to being a father and domestic partner, Armand Goldman has important professional responsibilities as the owner of The Birdcage club. Here is an overview of Armand’s job and duties:
- Co-owns The Birdcage nightclub in South Beach, Miami with his partner Albert
- Manages the business operations, finances, staff, maintenance, and inventory
- Ensures the club is stocked with food, liquor, and all essentials for shows
- Hires, trains, and schedules bartenders, servers, cleaning crew, and security staff
- Oversees payroll and personnel issues
- Books talent and produces drag shows, coordinating lighting, music, costumes and more
- Advertises upcoming performances and events
- Greets VIP guests and schmoozes with patrons
- Occasionally performs at the club himself as drag persona “Mr. Goldman”
- Balances the books and manages all accounting and regulatory aspects
- Ensures the club is up to code and passes inspections
- Coordinates maintenance and remodeling as needed
As co-owner and manager, Armand handles all aspects of running The Birdcage behind-the-scenes. This provides the setting for his relationship with Albert and their LGBTQ community in Miami.
Armand’s Drag Persona “Mr. Goldman”
Though Armand Goldman typically plays the straight-laced pragmatist, he does occasionally perform in drag at The Birdcage as his persona “Mr. Goldman.” Here are some details on Armand’s drag queen alter ego:
- His drag name is a play on his own last name Goldman, styled as the formal “Mr. Goldman.”
- His drag look is more subdued than Albert’s “Starina” character, emphasizing Armand’s reserve.
- Outfits include gowns, form-fitting dresses, pantsuits, often featuring ascots or feather boas.
- Makeup is softer and more natural, with dark lined eyes, lush lashes, defined brows, and rich red lips.
- Mr. Goldman performs musical standards, showtunes, and light comedy songs and banter.
- The persona allows Armand to connect with his artistic side and the LGBTQ community.
- It provides a stark contrast to his usual conventional straight-laced personality.
- Mr. Goldman conveys Armand’s pride, self-expression, and identity as part of the drag/nightclub subculture.
- The duality between Armand and Mr. Goldman underscores the film’s themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and truth.
Armand’s drag side allows him to embrace a part of himself that often takes a backseat to his domestic and business responsibilities. Mr. Goldman represents his inner vibrancy.
Armand’s Parenting Style with Son Val
In The Birdcage, Armand Goldman has raised his biological son Val with his partner Albert and navigates revealing their unique family dynamic when Val gets engaged. Here is an overview of Armand’s parenting approach with Val:
- Armand had Val from a brief heterosexual relationship but raised him with Albert, so Val sees them both as his parents.
- He maintained a warm, nurturing relationship with Val and encouraged his self-expression, intellect, and interests.
- Armand was protective of Val knowing society’s difficulty accepting LGBTQ families.
- He shielded Val somewhat from his and Albert’s LGBTQ club scene.
- Armand emphasized politeness, etiquette, and respectability with Val as a reaction to stereotypes.
- He attempted to give Val a “normal” childhood and indulged Val’s ambivalence about his family’s uniqueness.
- When Val is grown, Armand tries desperately to meet the expectations of Val’s fiancee’s family.
- This strains his relationship with Val but Armand only wants acceptance while still being true to himself.
- Ultimately his parental love overcomes his foibles trying to conceal his relationship with Albert.
Armand’s parenting shows his deep love for Val tempered with difficulty finding complete acceptance. In the end, honesty and unconditional family bonds win out.
Conclusion
In summary, Armand Goldman in The Birdcage is a loving father and partner who demonstrates the complexities faced by LGBTQ individuals and families seeking understanding. His more conservative personality provides comedic contrast to Nathan Lane’s dramatic Albert Goldman, but Robin Williams brings emotional depth to the role as well. Armand’s journey to self-acceptance and his desire for connection with his son reflect universal themes that resonate. He shows there is a place for both humor and heart in portraying the LGBTQ experience. After over 20 years, The Birdcage still contains many timeless messages about finding the courage to be yourself.
