The original Cage aux Folles was a vaguely risqué, charming confection about a pair of middle-aged homosexuals in the South of France. It achieved instant cult status and has grossed more than $40 million in the U.S., the most ever for a foreign-language film, This sequel lives up to its predecessor in every respect save one—it lacks the sense of discovery. What made Cage special was that it caught us off guard; now we know the situation, and the laughs seem forced. Still, this is a very funny film. Ugo Tognazzi, the long-suffering straight man, and Michel Serrault, the outrageous vamp, continue to play their roles with gusto. Edouard Molinaro directs with the same sardonic eye. No moviegoer will be able to resist the marvelous scene when chronic transvestite Serrault, dressed in overalls, pretends to be a macho window washer. An absurd spy-counterspy plot intrudes on the bittersweet humor, but fans of the original who flock to this follow-up won't be disappointed. (R)
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