The Birdcage

Yes, 'The Birdcage' is a remake of the 1978 French-Italian film 'La Cage aux Folles,' which itself was based on Jean Poiret's 1973 stage play. Mike Nichols directed the 1996 adaptation, moving the setting from Saint-Tropez to South Beach, Miami. The original French film was itself a massive international hit.

Gene Hackman plays Senator Kevin Keeley, a conservative family-values politician whose daughter is engaged to the son of Robin Williams and Nathan Lane's characters. Dianne Wiest co-stars as his wife Louise. Hackman and Wiest had previously worked together on several other films, adding to the ensemble's chemistry.

Yes, 'The Birdcage' was a major commercial success, reportedly grossing over $180 million worldwide on a production budget of around $31 million. It was one of the highest-grossing comedies of 1996. The film's mainstream success was significant for a comedy centered on a gay couple during that era.

The iconic rehearsal scene where Nathan Lane's character Albert performs to Sister Sledge's 'We Are Family' is one of the film's signature moments. It underscores the film's themes of chosen family and self-acceptance against the backdrop of political conservatism. The scene has been frequently referenced in discussions of LGBTQ cinema.