this remake of " la cage aux folles " features a gay couple pretending to be straight in order to pull the wool over the eyes of their son 's future in - laws .
the couple ( robin williams and nathan lane ) are about as archetypal , or as the less kind might put it ? stereotypical , gays possible .
williams owns a nightclub featuring drag queens where his partner performs as the featured star .
they live above the club in what could not possibly be mistaken as a heterosexual abode .
williams is excellent as should be no surprise .
gene hackman as right - wing potential father - in - law is refreshing in one of his few comedic roles .
the real star is lane .
his attempted transformation from one of the most obviously gay men in the world to the straight - shooting uncle is hilarious .
perhaps it is a personal failing on my part , but the crying and screaming drag queen faux high drama just grates on my nerves and
the first few minutes of this film are filled with it .
luckily
( for me at least ) , it does n't last long and the rest of the story focuses on the relationship between the men , their son and the deception .
the question of stereotypes is a touchy one .
these guys personify the homophobic gay image .
you can almost hear the swishing .
if you think that they are supposed to be representative of every gay man in the world , you 'll be outraged .
but if you can accept the view is that this is a movie about gay individuals ,
you 'll love it .
your choice .
luckily hilarious williams is excellent as should be no surprise you 'll love it the real star