Connie And Carla Widescreen Edition DVD with Nia Vardalos, Toni Collette, David Duchovny (PG-13) +Movie Reviews

Solid, entertaining, funny movie

Jonathan Appleseed | 09/25/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This was a surprisingly entertaining, funny, and charming film. My expectations for it were low, as I expected stereotypical bad acting (sadly, something that we see too often in gay films), bad writing, bad direction, and bad photography. None of that was evident here.

When Connie and Carla arrived in L.A. after fleeing a Chicago mobster who they saw kill someone, I found their drag queen bit hard to bite. When they first auditioned, they didn't look like drag queens at all. I do understand that this plays into the reality of the situation. Two (clueless) women from Chicago who want to revive the (thankfully) mostly dead concept of dinner theater, wouldn't look like drag queens when they first auditioned to become part of - well, to become THE drag show because they wouldn't have the experience yet telling them how to present themselves as women posing as men posing as women. The problem, though, is that if they look like women while they're auditioning, *every drag queen in the bar* is going to see right through them. This is where we're asked to suspend disbelief, and it's such a small request, it's easily done. Eventually, as they learn their trade, they learn to convincingly.

This isn't a deep film where difficult questions are asked and answered of the characters. Connie and Carla have a very minor disagreement, and the only tension that exists throughout the course of the film is through David Duchovny's character.

But it's not supposed to be a deep film. It's supposed to be entertaining, and it succeeds very well on this point. The acting was solid, as was the writing, direction, set, and photography. The gowns were gorgeous (of course they would be, if you watch the Bonus Features you'll see why - gay men designed them), and a few of the catchphrases: "Chickapow", "Your voice is giving me shingles!", and "Your voice is giving me mono!" were hysterical and well delivered.

"

Improbable, but sweet & wacky tale

Shelley Gammon | Kaufman, Texas USA | 08/29/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Nia Vardalos and Toni Collette play Connie & Carla, two jewel-voiced, yet not so sophisticated singers that try to eke out a living as lounge singers, supporting their lazy do-nothing boyfriends.

They witness a murder (at an airport - please! you can't even carry nail clippers to an airport, but people get shot and they are supposedly the only witnesses!) outside the dank airport lounge they work at and are discovered. Their lives are in serious jeopardy as they inadvertently also have a bag of cocaine on them work several tens of thousands of dollars. The drug lord behind the murder of the lounge manager wants his coke back and the girls dead.

The girls know their boyfriends have bigger mouths than brains, so they take off to hide out for a while until the heat cools off. Their only real skill is singing (and they are quite good at it), but as they find themselves in California, where talent is oozing out of everyone, their particular brand of singing isn't too popular - not to mention that those that are after them are looking for 2 ditzy lounge singers.

This is a lot like "Thelma & Louise," "Sister Act" & "Victor Victoria" in a blender. They find a way to make a living and stay hidden - by posing as men who dress as women and sing. They make quick friends with their costars and they quickly become the headliners - as their lack of testosterone allows them to hit the high notes that their competitors only dream of.

The scenarios are crazy and would never happen, but there are a handful of drop dead funny moments, and the friendship between Connie & Carla that makes the film work - for what it's worth. It was fun to see once, but even a few minutes after it was over, I was already thinking how stupid the whole movie was. Cute, but not watchable more than once."

Cute gender-bending comedy

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 01/30/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"CONNIE AND CARLA is a cute little comedy starring Nia Vardalos and Toni Collette, two appealing and capable leading ladies and featuring a script that plays like a goofy combo of SOME LIKE IT HOT and VICTOR/VICTORIA.

After witnessing a horrible crime, Connie and Carla (Nia Vardalos and Toni Collette) decide to go on the run. Arriving in Los Angeles, the girls quickly decide to re-invent their old dinner theatre musical act, and pose as drag queens in a struggling cabaret bar.

This movie is actually quite delightful. Vardalos and Collette make an irresistible comedy team, and the girls actually sung all their numbers themselves (Collette starred on Broadway in THE WILD PARTY). Debbie Reynolds turns in a hilarious cameo (belting out "There Are Worse Things I Could Do", Rizzo's big number from GREASE), and the supporting cast, led by David Duchovny, Stephen Spinella and Dash Mihok is sensational.

For musical theatre fans, CONNIE AND CARLA is highly-recommended."

Hilarious

JM Yoda | Nebraska, United States | 08/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You can read a synopsis elsewhere. All I have to say is, my 68-year-old mom and I (I'm 40) laughed our BUTTS off! We saw this in its theatrical release, with a decent crowd, and everyone was laughing hard, and often. Looking forward to the DVD to hear what I might have missed while I was laughing! Highly recommended, great performances and great fun!"

The "Some Like It Hot" of the 21st Century! You'll love it!

Get What We Give | Georgia | 04/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Connie and Carla delivers on all fronts. What a true gem of a movie! Nia Vardalos delivers a film far superior to her "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". The laughs keep coming and coming. The humor is spoken and seen. This film is sort of a cross between "Some Like It Hot", "Victor/Victoria" and "Sister Act" - only it stands on its own.When they witness a mob hit, Connie and Carla, two sad dinner theatre wanna be's (who are actually relegated to singing in a lounge at the airport), go on the lamb to escape being killed themselves. They escape to the one place where they figure there is no culture - L.A. - but even better West Hollywood - gay mecca for the west coast. Getting to this point, the film is awkward as it sets up the scenario. However, it is still quite funny. Once the action moves to West Hollywood, the action gets ridiculously hilarious.To earn a living and to achieve their dream of being paid performers, Connie and Carla pretend to be men in drag in a drag show. To do so requires that they wear garish make-up. Toni Collette's make-up alone is a sight gag that had me rolling on the floor more often than I could count. Add to that Collette's perfect (has she ever been anything but in any film?) timing and performance and Vardalos' great facial expressions and you've got a comedy team worthy of noteriety.The bald faced innocence with which Connie and Carla believe that dinner theatre is truly a high art form is a further point of hilarity that continues to be milked throughout the film to great success. To that, I must add, one complaint: the stunt casting of Debbie Reynolds. It seemed forced and unnecessary. But that is just me. It didn't diminish my overall enjoyment of the film.In fact, casting is one of the things that this film has definitely got in its favor. The supporting cast of drag queens are unique and memorable without being intrusive into the overall story. The villains of the piece are believable without being caricatures. Truly the supporting cast are fine character actors who should be proud of the work they've done on this film.And finally, I'd like to praise Vardalos and the studio for making a film about "controversial" subject matter that could, in all honesty, be watched by every single member of the family. This is a family film. There is very little, if any cursing, and not a lick of nudity. There is no innuendo that could slip by a child's sharp wit, and yet parent and child alike would find this film funny as all get out.Vardalos and Collette are the drag equivalent of Lucy and Ethel (is that possible since they're already women?).I cannot tell you how much you will enjoy this film! Go see it!"

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