To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar

This movie has really grown on me over the years. Though in 1995 things were much different for gay people than they are now and this movie garnered its share of negative attention during its original release. I originally assumed that it would be just another stereotypical gay themed movie full of campy, cheesy one-liners and exaggerated drag performances. It turned out that I was somewhat correct but not entirely so. Also, like many gay people ,I was a little surprised to see heavy hitters like Snipes, Leguizamo and Swayze playing lead roles as drag performers. The first time I saw this film, which was after it was out of the theaters, I was a little appalled by what then had then seemed almost like an exploitation of the LGBTQ community and the ongoing bigotry and trials we face. About a half decade later I watched this film again and my mind was changed. I appreciated the lead characters depictions of gay men who are drag performers. The storyline is consistent with gay themed movies of its time. There is the expected instances of how conservative parent/s react to the idea that there son/child is gay and a drag performer and the ostracization of that child that follows and inevitably leads to bitterness. What was really surprising are the performances of the three main characters. That initial feeling of being appalled had changed to being very impressed. Snipes (Noxeema Jackson), Leguizamo (Chi Chi Rodriguez) and Swayze (Vida Boheme) embodied their characters by giving the viewer solid dramatic and solid comedic performances without overdoing it. Here's a short summary of the movie. Noxeema and Vida (who are seasoned performers) win a drag contest and a trip to California to be in the drag finals and to meet Julie Newmar whom Vida idolizes and worships. After their performances they meet newbie "Chi Chi Rodriguez". Hearing her sob story they decide to invite her along but they only have two flight tickets and since none of them has the money to buy an extra round trip, plane ticket, they decide to have their tickets refunded and use the money to buy a car and drive instead. On the way from New York city to California and out in the middle of what seems to be nowhere and still in drag; and they are in drag for the entire movie, they're stopped after dark by a racist, small minded bigoted sheriff, played very well by Chris Penn (RIP) (brother to Sean Penn). Sheriff Dollard calls Vida out of the car and towards his car and makes a pass at her ( by "a pass" I mean what amounts to a sexual assault) and then reaches his hand under Vida's skirt and to his surprise discovers Vida is a male. Dollard is pushed away by Vida, falls to the grown and hits his head and is knocked out cold. They flee the scene and after a while on the road their car breaks down. They manage to get a ride and their car towed to a small town. Without giving up much more of the plot I'll say that they are eventually embraced by and help to awaken the town's resident's passions which leads to the residents thwarting Sheriff Dollard's attempts to find and arrest the three drag queens. This movie has a list of very good actors including Stockard Channing, Blythe Danner, RuPaul, Jason London and Alice Drummond, among others. This movie is a cult classic that I very highly recommend.

This movie is so good!

such a hilarious movie, 3 great main actors

This is one of my favorite movies every time I watch I just crack up laughing

A must have favorite, inspired by, and in competition for "who can make the best drag queen movie" I think, "Priscilla: Queen of the Desert", an Aussie film, and IMO, this movie outdoes it's predecessor by miles. Personally, I didn't care for "Priscilla" at all, as it was too campy, and the storyline, and plot were very weak, unlike 'To Wong Foo...', which features a truly moving theme, plot, storyline, character insight, everything that I felt Priscilla just didn't quite live up too. One, Leguizamo is a natural in himself, *the "little latin boy in drag"*, and Swayze and Snipes are phenomenol. Leguizamo truly proves his acting chops in this movie, taking his character to areas I've never seen him go. He really put his heart into this character, I can tell, and did so seamlessly, against the backdrop of vertaran co stars, Snipes, and Swayze. The premise of the movie, albeit a comedy, has plenty of drama, suspense, and I feel although not a film for everyone, especially the conservative "Christian" Right Wing, still, it touches on everyone's everyday lives. Not too outlandish, but a few scenes being a bit far fetched, yet with a campy comedic relief, to let you know it's purposeful, the movie has an excellent storyline, and plot. In a brief synopsis: 3 New York drag queens, 2 that have been tied for 1st place at a GALA pageant, essentially a "Miss America" pagaent, drag queen style, decide to take along the 'little latin boy in drag', as they have named him, as a protoge, and wind up purchasing an vintage Cadillac for the trip cross country, from New York to Hollywood. Well, of course the car breaks down, and then the real fun starts, as they find themselves rescued by a young man, who drives the stranded "career girls" home to 'Snyderville' Nebraska, population...about 10. LOL... Well, with the one liners, the other supporting cast with their own identities, and problems, including a battered wife, an alchoholic, and an elderly woman who is by all appearances, deaf, dumb, and well...you'll see. Over the course of a weekend, the 3 'career girls' take Snyderville by the horns, and turn it onto it's side. By the end of the movie, you're left with a warm feeling in your heart, that drives home the fact that while we may all have our differences, the human spirit, nourished by the power of love and humanity, overcomes any and all obstacles. Even when you trip up on your size 13 high heels.

Purchased after seeing a recent Pride month video review. I'd forgotten how good this was (saw it when it first came out). The choice of using straight actors to play gay/trans characters was probably the only option back then. Who they chose was brilliant - Swayze, Snipes and Leguizamo all did star turns and wore their roles like well fitting gloves. This is suitable for everyone, with plenty of discussion points with your tweens (11-14). Younger children will just have fun (I just watched it, but can't remember if there are any profanity caveats). This has been compared to a similarly themed movie (The Adventures of Priscilla... they were released within 1 year of each other), but I think it stands on its own. Yes, 3 gay/trans characters on a road trip played by 3 straight actors, but the stories are different enough that there's room for both (which is why I purchased both). This one is subtler in its storytelling/moralities and more subdued with its costumes but equally brilliant in its casting and directing. Only 2 movies left on my digital wish list (The Long Walk Home and The Girl in the Cafe), but they are nowhere to be found

I looked at this movie for years wondering about it? I couldn't figure out the title? I could NOT see Patrick Swayzee as a women Nopey! No way! OMG! This is a hidden gem! All the actors are so good. I kept going, well there is so and so. No, wait! There she is, no way he's in it and I can't believe they are in it! The entire cast is all well known actors. Each one makes the movie so good. It shows that everyone has a story, everyone hurts and we are just trying to get through this world the best that we can! With a lot of style and attitude! I want to be like Patrick Swayze in the movie! Who knew he could look like such a beautiful women? Who knew? SMH.

FUNNY

Best Movie EVER! so happy to have secured a copy.

An amazing empowering movie! Great performances by Miss Vida(Patrick Swayze), Miss Noxeema (Wesley Snipes) and Miss Chi-Chi (John Leguizamo). In my honest opinion one of their best roles. I wish I had seen this movie way sooner in life!

Entrega antes de lo estipulado, en un excelente estado.

Film was online nergens te vinden, uit nostalgie besteld voor mijn eigen collectie. Fijn om weer eens te kijken.

Immer wieder sehenswert.