Connie and Carla —a Movie
that Doesn’t Drag at All
by the Maven and the
Blonde Contributing Writers
For
fans who have been waiting to see how Nia Vardalos could
possibly follow her huge hit, My Big Fat Greek Wedding,
Connie and Carla proves she wasn’t just lucky the first
time around. Once again, Vardalos not only wrote the
screenplay, but stars in it as well. Directing this film
are Michael Lembeck (The Santa Clause 2) and Rita Wilson
(Tom Hanks’ wife).
Connie and Carla, played by
Vardalos and Toni Colette (Muriel’s Wedding, The Sixth
Sense), are childhood friends. The two, who dreamed of
stardom as children, grew up to become musical
performers. While appearing in the Chicago O’Hare
Airport, they witness a murder. Because, as we all know,
being a witness is far better than being a victim, the
two avoid certain death by fleeing to Hollywood,
California. While in a local club, featuring nightly
performances by drag queens, Connie has an epiphany. She
convinces Carla that by dressing up as Drag Queens, they
will not only stay undercover, but perform again as
well. What was once campy for the two performers is now
a hit with their new audience. There is more trouble
awaiting the girls, but that, moviegoers, you will have
to see for yourselves.
The Blonde: Connie and
Carla was like “Laverne and Shirley” meets “Queer Eye
for the Straight Guy,” with a little bit of La Cage
thrown in. The Maven: Lets not forget about Sister
Act and Victor/Victoria. I thought that Vardalos managed
to write about women who are sympathetic and creative,
yet still don’t get it right in the romance
department.
The Blonde: Who does? Well, if you
like Broadway musicals, you will like this picture. I
thought it was a light, yet sweet, funny and
entertaining movie that will keep you grinning the whole
time.
The Maven: Yea, well you were
grinning because David Duchovny was there to spice
things up.
The Blonde: Which queen was he? The
Maven: He was the cute, heterosexual brother of a
“queen.” The Blonde: But there wasn’t any sex
in this movie!
The Maven: Man, you need to cut
down on the bleach! Not to sound catty, but I
think Connie and Carla looked better as men dressing up
like women, than they did as just women.
The
Blonde: Meow, Meow! Even we would look that good with
all those wigs and makeup! By the way, wasn’t that
amazing when the drag queen who looked exactly like
Debbie Reynolds appeared in the musical finale at the
end? The Maven: That really was Debbie
Reynolds! The Blonde: Oh, no wonder he was so
good!
The Maven: She, she, Debbie. The Blonde:
I was impressed not only by Vardalo’s talent as a
screenwriter and as an actress, but of her singing and
performing talent, too. Maybe she should let someone
else do something once in a while! Share the love
sweetie, there’s no “I” in team!
The Maven: She
did, her real life husband was in the movie. He
played the club owner. His name is Ian Gomez and I
thought he stole every scene he was in. I liked this
film and give it a B+.
The Blonde: Although it’s
certainly not a masterpiece, and it’s pretty
predictable, I thoroughly liked this picture. If you
feel that a movie experience is to entertain, which I
do, then I recommend you go see this film and enjoy the
popcorn. I give it a B.
The Maven: And the
candy! The Blonde: Only if it’s worth the calories!
13 Going on 30—Not Just
Another “Chick Flick” by
Eric Swerdlow Contributing Writer
13 Going on 30 is not just a female version
of Big, nor is it a typical “chick flick.” 13 Going On
30 is the thoroughly entertaining story of a 13-year-old
girl transported 17 years into the future, who’s still a
13-year-old intellectually. Barring the overall concept
and a few unanswered questions about a more modern
technology, this movie is pure delight.
Jenna
Rink at 13 (Shana Dowdeswell) is a frustrated young
lady. She’s ignored by the hip kids in school, smothered
by her parents, and the cute guy she has a crush on
barely knows her name. No longer content to spend her
time with best friend and neighbor, Matt Flamhaff, Jenna
invites the cool kids to her 13th birthday party. The
party is a disaster. Jenna is humiliated when she’s
locked in the closet for a game of “Seven Minutes in
Heaven” and everyone deserts her. Alone in the closet,
Jenna makes an earnest wish. If only she could be all
grown up, she’d have the life she’s always wanted. A
sprinkling of pixie dust and her wish comes true.
The now 30-year-old Jenna (Jennifer Garner)
lives with a hockey star in a chic 5th Avenue apartment
and has a job as an editor for Poise magazine. She works
with Lucy (Judy Greer), her wannabe friend from
childhood. But through all the confusion, there’s
something missing—Matt (Mark Ruffalo), who is now
engaged. She tracks him down and he explains that their
friendship ended years ago. She breaks him down and he
concedes to help her. Jenna now discovers that she has
feelings for Matt that she did not have years
ago.
Director Gary Winick could have made those
first minutes typical dull teenage dribble, but instead
he has managed to make us all remember what lige was
like when we were 13. Garner’s portrayal of a
13-year-old is by no means over the top. She expresses
the mannerisms and attitudes of a young teen well and
her chemistry with Ruffalo is warm and loving. There are
wonderful humorous moments throughout the story, many,
thanks to an outstanding job of Jenna’s boss Richard
(Andy Serkis).
13 Going on 30 can be enjoyed by
men and women alike. If you can suspend belief and just
enjoy the film as it is, without a doubt, it’s pure
entertainment.
All content
property of Entertainment News & Views © 2003.
Nothing that appears on this site may be reproduced,
either wholly or in part, without the written permission
of the publishers and solely at their
discretion. |