Customer Reviews

To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar

5 star:		(109)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

One year after the success of the 1994 Australian film "The Adventures Priscilla, Queen of the Desert", Amblin Entertainment and Universal Pictures joined to produce the 1995 American version, "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar". Like the Australian film, which featured a trio of drag queens traveling across the rugged Australian outback from Sydney to the isolated resort of Alice Springs in a pink bus, the American version featured its own drag queen trio traveling from NYC to Los Angeles in an aging yellow Cadillac convertible; but the similarities end there. The drag queen trio featured in the American version was Miss Noxeema Jackson (Wesley Snipes), Miss Vida Boheme (Patrick Swayze) and Miss Chi-Chi Rodriguez (John Leguizamo). After Noxeema and Vida share the title of a drag queen contest, they invite (with Noxeema's reluctance) Chi-Chi to join them to participate in a national contest in Los Angeles. Not having enough money for all three to fly to Los Angeles from NYC, Vida convinces them to instead use their winnings to purchase a car that all three could travel in. The film's title comes from an autographed picture of Julie Newmar that Vida steals from a restaurant and places in the used yellow Cadillac convertible that the trio purchases. Similar to the Australian version, the car breaks down along the way, forcing the trio to stay a few days in a small, languishing town. There, they meet the town's assorted residents that include hotel owner Carol Ann (Stockard Channing), her abusive husband Virgil (Arliss Howard), Beatrice (Blythe Danner), the polite Bobby Ray (Jason London), Merna (Melinda Dillon), Loretta (Beth Grant), the aging Clara (Alice Drummond) and restaurant owner Jimmy Joe (Mike Hodge) to name a few. They also meet law enforcement officer Sheriff Dollard (Chris Penn) who wants to arrest them.

Though arguably not as well made as "The Adventures Priscilla, Queen of the Desert", "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar" is still a very entertaining and engaging film that is sufficiently different from the former to not be redundant. Cameo appearances in the film include Julie Newmar, Robin Williams (as John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt), RuPaul (as Miss Rachel Tensions) and Naomi Campbell. Memorable scenes in the film include the restaurant, the used car lot, Vida seeing her mother (Margaret H. Flynn), Chi-Chi earning rites of passage, Sheriff Dollard, Noxeema's interactions with townsfolk, the clothing store, the beauty parlor and the closing scenes. Patrick Swawye received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical, and John Leguizamo received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor in the Comedy/Musical. Sadly, Wesley Snipes did not receive a nomination for his excellent performance. Overall, I rate the film with 4 out of 5 stars. After watching the deleted scenes on the DVD, I concluded that they were best left deleted.

This was one of the most uplifting movies I've ever seen. After seeing the movie Seven, I went to see To Wong Foo and laugh from the beginning to the end. The outfits were just wonderful. I especially loved Patrick Swayze's clothes. John Leguziamo was just sassy as Miss Chi Chi. Wesley Snipps had it going on as Noxema Jackson. I've seen this movie so many times I can recite the whole script. Director Beeban Kidron did an excellent job. Stockard Channing's performance was excellent as Caroline. This is the perfect movie for depression. Im still hoping for a sequel. If it doesn't happen, I will never get tired of re-watching To Wong Foo Thanks for everything Julie Newmar.

This movie is one of those rare perfect films. Casting is brilliant (especially Stockard Channing, who only gets better and better as the years go by--and she was always totally incapable of less than a fantastic performance). The general plot line of the movie is a congenial road trip, as three drag queens drive from New York City to California to compete in a contest, and the themes are fulfilling.

In essence, the movie deals with the healing of "broken people." (For other such films, see such gems as "Batteries Not Included" and "Fried Green Tomatoes.") The unlikely angels? The three drag queens. The situation? Their car breaks down in a red-neck hamlet. Unlikely hijinks and dangerous confrontations lead to a satisfying conclusion.

And Julie Newmar was never better!

This will be short and sweet. This is one of the cutest movies going. It's taken me five long years to catch up and finally check it out. It's such a gem of a story and I laughed my head off through the whole thing. I'm so sick and tired of L. Maltin saying he hates most of the movies that the rest of the public love. Thank God I don't listen to CRITICS, if I did, I'd never see anything. This is SO SWEET. Cute, but I guess you can't be homophobic and appreciate the gem. These three men act more like "chicks" than any female I've known, including myself. Three drag queens, excellent acting, great and silly plot. Patrick Swaze, Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo (sp) how they could do it, is beyond me. People in dire straits being helped by stranded Chi-Chi, Noxy and Vida; "women" who end up in a hick town of "red necks" and add much needed color and life to a dying town. I'm so glad I check out every one of the "editorial reviews" and every time ole Leonard hates it, I know I'll absolutely LOVE IT! Don't listen to him or anyone else who tells you it's no good. I don't know who he thinks he is......Look at the customer reviews AGAIN! (4 - 5 stars) we can't all be wrong and he be right, eh? He has no clue as to what's funny and light hearted. Get another job. I'm so upset I can't write anymore, nor do I need to.

The movie itself is still great (but not a great as The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) but the DVD version is disappointing.
When I found out that it was going to contain deleted scenes, I was hoping that they would have been included in the movie. Instead they group them together as an extra. Granted after watching those scenes, it was understandable why they were deleted and/or changed. The only scene I would have added is when the "girls" are driving up the mountain and the car stalls and a truck was barreling down on them.
I have always enjoyed this movie. Wesley Snipes is hysterical as Noxeema Jackson (Jessie's daughter). His one liners and acid like tongue were perfect. Patrick Swayze was very matronly as Vida Boheme. The too tall drag queen that still has her driver's license with the name of Eugene on it. John Leguizamo was the most brilliant of everyone. He was so outrageous and razor edged funny (not to mention you had to think if it was really a woman playing Chi-Chi). He was the struggling would be drag queen who describes herself as the "Latino Marilyn Munroe-I got more legs than a bucket of chicken."
Basically the movie is your typical need to be accepted and proving the odds wrong.

[Add a half-star if you don't mind being manipulated.]

All during the summer, in seeing previews, I was worried about To Wong Foo... being an American version or rip-off of Priscilla: Queen Of The Desert. Trust me, there are a lot of similarities; however To Wong Foo... stands on its own as an enjoyable movie experience. In the audience I sat in, there was laughter and applause throughout and I found myself laughing and applauding along. (I hadn't expected to.)

Patrick Swayze is Vida Boheme, a drag queen from Bala Cynwyd, PA living in New York City. Bala Cynwyd is pivotal in his story. So is Noxeema Jackson (Wesley Snipes). Boheme and Jackson are friends competing against Chi Chi Rodriguez (John Leguizamo) and others for "Drag Queen of the Year". Well, as luck would have it, Boheme and Jackson tie for the honors and both win an all-expense paid trip to Hollywood.

Well, Boheme is a queen with a heart. She can't stand to see Chi Chi, who lives in the same building, so upset about not winning the crown; so, Vida bullies Noxeema into trading their paid-for airline tickets for a car and, together, the three set off to drive cross-country. Shades of Boys On The Side.

Early on, the trio is stopped in the middle of nowhere by a county sheriff (Chris Penn in a hoot of a role). What happens next brings more remembrances of Boys On The Side.

Eventually, our fun-loving "females" end up in Snydersville, a small hamlet where everyone seems to have a problem and our girls have a solution for every single one of them. Despite this manipulation, To Wong Foo... delights at every turn. It's laugh-out-loud funny and not at all subtle. Normally, that would be a criticism, but in this case, it turns out to be a refreshing change of pace.

Of course, all of the elements in the story come together for a schmaltzy conclusion. But, that's OK. You'll get all wrapped up in it anyway, just like I did.

(Boy, was I surprised.)

[Originally written 10 September 1995]

"To Wong Foo" seemed horribly miscast when you found out who was in it ... I mean, John Leguizamo had done drag before, proving himself to be very convincing and most definitely in touch with his "feminine side" -- but Wesley Snipes and Patrick Swayze??! Two macho movie stars pulling off parts as drag queens on a road trip?

But then you saw the movie ...

The three men do excellent jobs, Wesley Snipes in particular a total surprise in his role as Noxeema Jackson, drag queen with Attitude. Swayze, as Vida Boheme, is the "lady" of the trio who can get down and dirty when she has to -- and Leguziamo as Chi Chi Rodriguez is nothing short of perfection.

The plot is simple: At New York's Drag Queen of the Year contest, Noxeema and Vida tie for the crown. The title comes with a free airline ticket to Los Angeles, to compete in the Drag Queen of America competition, and the two "girls" couldn't be more excited. But then they meet little Latin Chi Chi Rodriguez, whose drag queen self-esteem was not at all helped by losing this competition. Vida, the kind of person who always believes in helping those less fortunate, talks a VERY disgruntled Noxeema into selling their plane tickets ... and using the money instead to buy a cheap car and drive to the L.A. contest. The night of the win, Vida spots an autographed photo of Miss Julie Newmar on the wall of the reataurant they are dining in, and reads the inscription: "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar". For those not in the know ... for years actress/model Julie Newmar, best known for her role at Catwoman on the tv series "Batman," has had rumors floating around saying that she's a drag queen in real life -- not a woman. She's just too statuesque, her face too strong on bone structure, to be a real woman! When Vida sees the framed autographed photo on the wall, she takes this as a sign that the three of them will be blessed on their quest. She also takes the photograph.

Halfway 'cross country, in Nebraska, the threesome is stopped by a racist sheriff who notices their tail light is out. Taking Vide back toward his car, he comes onto her, thinking she is a real woman. When he reaches under her dress and learns the truth, Vida tries to break free ... and knocks the sheriff to the ground, where he conks his head. They drive off quickly, before he can come to and REALLY do them all some damage.

Soon after, their old Cadillac breaks down, and Chi Chi hitchhikes them all a ride into Snydersville, a town that makes Mayberry look like New York City. Tiny and hick and populated with small-town minds as well, Snydersville seems to be the LAST place three drag queens would want to get stranded (if they want to live, that is), but when these three are stalled there for the weekend, until they get their car repaired, they decide to make the best of it by making over the town's women, addding some spark to a Strawberry Social - and, in general, bringing tons of color to an otherwise drab existence. But little do they know that Sheriff Dollard (Chris Penn) - who is less than thrilled by being knocked unconscious by a "boy in a dress," is out to find them ...

The movie is uneven in spots - the scenes in the town go from hysterical to being too stage - but overall whenever Snipes or Swayze or Leguizamo are on-screen, you could never be bored. Funny and with some VERY sharp one-liners, the movie comes close (especially in the end) to turning sappy with its "why can't we all just get along" mind-set -- but never quite pushes that envelope. The three leads are EXCELLENT, and backed beautifully by a great supporting cast the includes Stockard Channig, Melinda Dillon, Chris Penn, Jason London - even "Alias" star Michael Vartan. Ru Paul and Robin Williams add both class and style to brief cameos ... as does the one and only Miss Julie Newmar herself.

Stylish and funny and just corny enough to work, this comedy is anything but a drag ...

This movie is one of those rare perfect films. Casting is brilliant (especially Stockard Channing, who only gets better and better as the years go by--and she was always totally incapable of less than a fantastic performance). The general plotline of the movie is congenial, and the themes are fulfilling.

In essence, the movie deals with the healing of "broken people." (For other such films, see such gems as "Batteries Not Included" and "Fried Green Tomatoes.") The unlikely angels? Three drag queens from New York City. The vehicle? Their car breaks down in a red-neck hamlet. Unlikely hijinks and dangerous confrontations lead to a thoroughly satisfying finale.

And Julie Newmar was never better!

The star power alone is enough reason to watch this delightful movie. Yes, it's saccharine Hollywood sentimentality and little of the over-the-top dares that made "Priscilla" what it was. But...

"Too Wong Foo" is more than worth watching, especially for the performances and the countless cameos. Kudos to all the stars for taking the risk and bringing this story on screen, and for giving performances that dare Hollywood stereotypes about "star image," when there was no Will & Grace. John Leguizamo walks away with the movie, effortlessly. If Naomi Campbell was a dragqueen, she'd be Wesley Snipes -- sure enough, she's the one who taught him how to walk in heels, rumor has it. Patrick Swayze has great moments, at times elegant, and then at times reminds one of Jack Lemon in "Some Like it Hot." What can you say about Stockard Channing except that she wins your heart. Among the most memorable cameos, the innimitable Robin Williams. And if you watch the camera pan in that same scene, you might chuckle as you catch a glimpse of none other than George Costacos.

The film's color, costumes, the unbelievable makeup and hair transformations and off-the-cuff theme, are best when they don't try to pass for real. Give me the fairytale, give me the glamor. A fun reminder of the RuPaul days.

I took the time to read some of the reviews and although I try to be as objective and respectful of everyone's opinions as I can, one particular review that annoyed and irritated me is of one who is in a sense critical and judgemental, as if it were personal, believing his views and comments are above anyone else's. I saw this movie and in fact loved it because in it's own way, it shows us that no matter who we are or where we come from, we all deserve, perhaps not acceptance(and it's a shame that in this day and age, we're still not there yet), but respect and tolerance. Whether this reviewer chooses to believe it or not, we are all GOD's children. He whom is without sin, should cast the first stone. This is not a gratuitously violent or sexual movie. It is a movie about facing and overcoming adversity, about learning to respect each other's differences. This is a fun and entertaining movie. Enjoy it for what it is, and I highly recommend it...