16 ~ Wednesday, October 11, 1995 — North Shore News

Photo submitted

(LEFT TO right) John Leguizamo, Wesley Snipes and Patrick Swayze camp it up in To Wong Foo,
Thanks for Everthing! Julie Newmar, Reviewer Sarah Duro found the movie a real drag and a def-
inite wait-till-it-hits-your-video-store flic.

Movie dial

AT FIRST [ wasn’t sure how
I felt about going to a movie
whose title sounded more
like a bad Chinese dish, but I
gave To Wong Foo a shot.

The movie begins with the
humorous transformation of
Ms. Vita (Patrick Swayze) and Ms.
Noxzeema (Wesley Snipes) into
their drag costumes, preparing to
compete in New York City’s Miss
Drag Queen Pageant.

Within five minutes you are
overwhelmed with dazzling colors,

0

costumes, and music. You find
yourself transported to a place
where the “freaks” are considered
gods, and the normal. well. just nor-
mal. Swayze and Snipes befriend a
fellow contestant. Chi Chi Uchn
Leguizamo), whose faith in herself
was lost. along with the Pageant
chances.

Swayze's heart goes out to the
losing con{estant, and convinces
Snipes to bring Leguizamo along
on the adventure, with the hope that
their wisdom and guidance will wirn
this “drag princess” into a “drag
queen”.

So the excitement begins. Or, at
least I thought it would.

Instead of a controversial. dan-
gerous, yet humorous, adventure,
it's the slowest, most unrealistic
string of events imaginable.

These three “career girls” —
having no clue as to where they are
-— soon get pulled over by the
county police because of a broken
tail-light. The police officer tries to
take advantage of Swayze, and in
self defence Swayze pushes the
officer to the ground. Fearful that
he has killed the officer, Swayze
and company depart.

Their car breaks down, forcing

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them to take residence in the near-
est town,

Director Beebun Kidron, must
have had an extremely low budget.
The town. which resembles a
cheezy Holiywood set. consists of
about 30 people who take an imme-
diate liking to the three newcomers.

I seriously doubt that a town of
church-goers is going to welcome
three cross-dressers with open arms.
Their stay in town is more like a
giant costume party, accompanied
by a warped love story.

But what really ruins this movie
is the careless way it ends. How is
it possible for Leguizamo, a tag-
along. to win the Miss Drag U.S.A
competition?

if f remember correctly, she
wasn't even a finalist in New York.

Overall the acting was wonder-
fully amusing. The smoothness and
flow of these actors is remarkable.
Unfortunately. the storyline is lack-
ing in both plot and realism.

To Wong Foo is a definite renter.

Sarah Duro is a Grade 12 stu-
dent at Sutherland Secandary.

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