'Priscilla' has its moments
By Bruce R. Miller Journal staff writer | Posted: Sunday, June 03, 2007
When Hugo Weaving popped up as a villain in "The Matrix" or the vigilante in "V for Vendetta," you barely remembered how good he looked in sequins and feathers.
But now, "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" is back in all its glory, ready to surprise yet another generation. Guy Pearce, who has made a name for himself as various and sundry detectives (not to mention Andy Warhol in a recent indie flick) is here, too, lip-synching with the best of them.
The film -- released in 1994 -- was adventurous for its time. Three drag queens, traveling in a pink bus they call Priscilla, are on their way to a hotel to perform. Naturally, the bus breaks down, the men are stuck in less-than-friendly territory and they're forced to confront many of their own demons.
An Oscar winner for best costumes (of course), "Priscilla" seems dated in parts but still charming. Director Stephan Elliott knew where to find the laughs and encouraged Weaving and Pearce to camp it up as much as possible. Terence Stamp, the third participant, travels a more poignant path and delivers a performance that's every bit as winning as Felicity Huffman's in "Transamerica."
That film (and "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar") owe more than a little debt to this one for breaking barriers. While "Priscilla" teems with laughs, it has plenty of touching moments that show just how isolated some people can feel. The seemingly bold exterior of these drag queens is merely masking more than a little hurt inside. When the three reach their destination, Weaving meets his son for the first time. The moment is filled with tension, anticipation -- and love.
On the DVD, Elliott has included bloopers and deleted scenes, but the film is still the real joy. When you see Weaving step out in a dress made of flip-flops, you'll understand where costume designer Lizzy Gardiner got her inspiration for that American Express Card dress she wore to the Oscars.
Also this week: 'Norbit'
It's a theory. But I bet it's a good theory: Eddie Murphy lost the Oscar for "Dreamgirls" because "Norbit" came out too soon.
Nothing more than a cruel comedy with him in a fat suit, "Norbit" had to rub Oscar voters the wrong way.
Give him a trophy? For this swill?
In the marginal comedy, Murphy plays a nerd named Norbit who's married to a large woman (also played by Murphy) who has been cheating on him. Instead of leaving the relationship, he stays, afraid for his life. Worse, she has three brothers who could make bits of Norbit. They're eager to get their hands on the orphanage where he was raised but Norbit's childhood girlfriend (Thandie Newton) has returned with designs on buying it. Her fiance (Cuba Gooding Jr.) would rather join the brothers and turn it into a strip bar. So, he plays it cool and plots his own coup.
And so? Norbit has to hook up with the old girlfriend, split from his wife and expose his brothers-in-law.
Director Brian Robbins makes sure it all happens but not until he has mined every last fat joke. Granted, Norbit's wife Rasputia is huge. But size shouldn't be the film's only source of humor. Murphy -- who cowrite the script with his brother -- didn't borrow enough pages from the Gospel According to Fat Albert. He pinned his hopes on one and, frankly, Rasputia isn't Gumby or anyone else Murphy did on "Saturday Night Live."
Interestingly, Eddie Griffin outshines the other Eddie every brief minute he's on screen. He plays a town pimp who can sell a concept and collect the laughs. When he's asked to stall Newton's wedding, he does so in high style.
Sadly, "Norbit" doesn't sell much else.
Murphy plays a third character -- Mr. Wong, the orphanage owner -- and he's more racist than anything. To make Rasputia memorable, he gives her a catchphrase -- "How you doin'?" -- but he doesn't realize "Friends" coined it years ago.
"Norbit" shows signs of age, too. If Murphy wants a fresh concept he should consider a film about an actor who squanders the bump that comes from an Academy Award nomination. That's got to be filled with laughs.
Also this week:
TV: "The Best of Chappelle's Show," uncensored; "CHiPs," season one; "The Cosby Show," seasons three and four; "The Dead Zone," season five; "Doctor Who," episodes 115-117; "The Fall Guy," season one; "Hex," season one; "Hogan's Heroes," season six; "Mission: Impossible," season two; "Rescue Me," season three; "Robin Hood," season one; "Seinfeld," season eight; "What's New, Scooby-Doo?" season two; "Wait Till Your Father Gets Home," season one.
Film: "Elektra"; "Fantastic Four"; "Jackass1 & 2"; "Meatballs"; "The Messengers"; "The Prisoner or How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair"; "The Sand Pebbles"; "Von Ryan's Express"
But now, "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" is back in all its glory, ready to surprise yet another generation. Guy Pearce, who has made a name for himself as various and sundry detectives (not to mention Andy Warhol in a recent indie flick) is here, too, lip-synching with the best of them.
The film -- released in 1994 -- was adventurous for its time. Three drag queens, traveling in a pink bus they call Priscilla, are on their way to a hotel to perform. Naturally, the bus breaks down, the men are stuck in less-than-friendly territory and they're forced to confront many of their own demons.
An Oscar winner for best costumes (of course), "Priscilla" seems dated in parts but still charming. Director Stephan Elliott knew where to find the laughs and encouraged Weaving and Pearce to camp it up as much as possible. Terence Stamp, the third participant, travels a more poignant path and delivers a performance that's every bit as winning as Felicity Huffman's in "Transamerica."
That film (and "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar") owe more than a little debt to this one for breaking barriers. While "Priscilla" teems with laughs, it has plenty of touching moments that show just how isolated some people can feel. The seemingly bold exterior of these drag queens is merely masking more than a little hurt inside. When the three reach their destination, Weaving meets his son for the first time. The moment is filled with tension, anticipation -- and love.
On the DVD, Elliott has included bloopers and deleted scenes, but the film is still the real joy. When you see Weaving step out in a dress made of flip-flops, you'll understand where costume designer Lizzy Gardiner got her inspiration for that American Express Card dress she wore to the Oscars.
Also this week: 'Norbit'
It's a theory. But I bet it's a good theory: Eddie Murphy lost the Oscar for "Dreamgirls" because "Norbit" came out too soon.
Nothing more than a cruel comedy with him in a fat suit, "Norbit" had to rub Oscar voters the wrong way.
Give him a trophy? For this swill?
In the marginal comedy, Murphy plays a nerd named Norbit who's married to a large woman (also played by Murphy) who has been cheating on him. Instead of leaving the relationship, he stays, afraid for his life. Worse, she has three brothers who could make bits of Norbit. They're eager to get their hands on the orphanage where he was raised but Norbit's childhood girlfriend (Thandie Newton) has returned with designs on buying it. Her fiance (Cuba Gooding Jr.) would rather join the brothers and turn it into a strip bar. So, he plays it cool and plots his own coup.
And so? Norbit has to hook up with the old girlfriend, split from his wife and expose his brothers-in-law.
Director Brian Robbins makes sure it all happens but not until he has mined every last fat joke. Granted, Norbit's wife Rasputia is huge. But size shouldn't be the film's only source of humor. Murphy -- who cowrite the script with his brother -- didn't borrow enough pages from the Gospel According to Fat Albert. He pinned his hopes on one and, frankly, Rasputia isn't Gumby or anyone else Murphy did on "Saturday Night Live."
Interestingly, Eddie Griffin outshines the other Eddie every brief minute he's on screen. He plays a town pimp who can sell a concept and collect the laughs. When he's asked to stall Newton's wedding, he does so in high style.
Sadly, "Norbit" doesn't sell much else.
Murphy plays a third character -- Mr. Wong, the orphanage owner -- and he's more racist than anything. To make Rasputia memorable, he gives her a catchphrase -- "How you doin'?" -- but he doesn't realize "Friends" coined it years ago.
"Norbit" shows signs of age, too. If Murphy wants a fresh concept he should consider a film about an actor who squanders the bump that comes from an Academy Award nomination. That's got to be filled with laughs.
Also this week:
TV: "The Best of Chappelle's Show," uncensored; "CHiPs," season one; "The Cosby Show," seasons three and four; "The Dead Zone," season five; "Doctor Who," episodes 115-117; "The Fall Guy," season one; "Hex," season one; "Hogan's Heroes," season six; "Mission: Impossible," season two; "Rescue Me," season three; "Robin Hood," season one; "Seinfeld," season eight; "What's New, Scooby-Doo?" season two; "Wait Till Your Father Gets Home," season one.
Film: "Elektra"; "Fantastic Four"; "Jackass1 & 2"; "Meatballs"; "The Messengers"; "The Prisoner or How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair"; "The Sand Pebbles"; "Von Ryan's Express"
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