Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Paul Morrissey's drag-queen opus delivers the goods, May 6, 2000
Paul Morrissey is known for directing for Andy Warhol a trilogy of films starring male sex icon Joe Dallesandro ("Flesh", "Trash", "Heat"). Morrissey took a break in-between "Trash" and "Heat" and directed "Women in Revolt", a showcase for the three drag queen Superstars of Warhol's Factory: Candy Darling, Jackie Curtis, and Holly Woodlawn. Darling is a willowy blonde with a breathless voice; Curtis is a sassy brunette straight from the Bronx; and Woodlawn is an outrageous raven-haired vixen almost nominated for an Oscar the year before for "Trash". Of the three, Woodlawn unfortunately gets the least screen time, a shame given the heavy amount of talent she displayed in "Trash". But Darling and Curtis get a chance to steal the show after pairing up together in "Flesh" three years earlier. The storyline stems from the feminist movement of the 1970's: Candy, Jackie, and Holly are PIGs (Politically Involved Girls) who demand equality from their men and turn to lesbianism when they don't receive it. We witness their trials, tribulations, and eventual downfall by the time the movie has finished. Some viewers will see the end results of the feminist movement as pessimistic (women can't get along without men) or optimistic (women will continue to struggle on). Morrissey's trade-mark in-and-out focus camera stylings work well with the unbelievable plotline and performances by the leads. Warhol veterans such as Jane Forth, Geri Miller, Maurice Braddell, Betty Blue, and Penny Arcade unfortunately do not match their previous Morrissey appearances and add little or nothing to the proceedings. But Jackie, Candy, and Holly are the stars of the show and are great. Jackie Curtis is my favorite of all three characters, even though her previous appearance in "Flesh" left a lot to be desired. She delivers the funniest lines and is a quite believable actress. Unfortunately, both Jackie Curtis and Candy Darling passed away at an early age (from a drug overdose and leukemia, respectively). I really shouldn't pick a favorite because all three actresses have their own highlighted scenes and provide a break from Joe Dallesandro. Recommended to those new to Paul Morrissey and anyone interested in other (often better) drag queens than Divine and RuPaul.
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
We're young, we're beautiful, and we're miserable!, March 19, 2003
Paul Morrisey's Women in Revolt, while a satire of Women's Liberation in the early 1970s, is really an homage to classic movie cinema of the 1930s, 40s, and 60s. In it, Morrisey alludes to the popular "woman's picture" or, "weepies" of those eras by presenting us with the story of three career girls -- a set up that is most reminiscent of How to Marry a Millionare.
Candy, the beautiful and more aloof one of the trio, has her head in the clouds and aspires to become an actress. It is Candy who makes allusions to old time movies and stars by quoting such campy lines such as "I want to live" from Susan Hayward's movie, and the above. Her scene when she auditions for the movie agent is so reminscent of Lana Turner's audition with the agent in Imitation of Life (the set is so similar, right down to the swinging door!)
In real life, Candy Darling was obsessed with old movies and old movie stars. Her mother was a big fan of them and Candy used to entertain her by impersonating Joan Crawford or Garbo and dressing in drag. Candy is also the more convincing woman when compares to Jackie Curtis.
Curtis, a school teacher and a repressed lesbian, is also fighting for women's rights. But she, too, is a character grouneded in cinema. A "working woman" or "career girl," she is single, beautiful, and a survivor. But Jackie's character is annoying: she gets upset at her houseboy for no apparent reasons and is very cruel to him, at one time throwing matches at his naked body. Still, Curtis is a fantastic performer to watch. He is so alive and funny, having starred and written many off broadway plays. It is ineresting to note that the only reason Curtis started dressing in drag was because he wanted to become a star and knew that Andy Warhol was intrigues by transvestites. Holly Woodlawn, however, just knew how to lie.
When he was preparing to shoot Trash, Morrisey says that he cast Holly without even meeting her. Having read a story in a magazine in which Woodlwan described herself as a Warhol Superstar (without officially being one), he was curious and cast the talented Woodlawn. Unlike her perfomance in Trash, which was brilliant and funny, Woodlwan is reduced to a supporting role that leaves her with less screen time. In her memoir, Woodlawn wrote that she felt intimidated by Darling and Curtis who just dominated every scene and thus she handed the movie over to them. This is a shame because I was really impressed by Holly's acting in Trash and in this movie, she plays a kept women who simply screams and has sex with many men.
Overall, Paul Morrisey's Women in Revolt is a gem. If you like old movies and obscure cult films, you might be able to recognize the allusions to old Hollywood in the film. If not, that is okay too because this is really a good movie. It is funny, interesting, and good.
My only regret is that Image Video does not issue a commentary for this film. There are so many stories on the making of and background of this movie. I would love to have insight into the actress' private life. Someone at Image should hurry up and get Holly Woodlawn (the only surving actress of the trio) and Paul Morrisey's commentary on this important film! The same should be done with Trash because all three of the main characters are still alive.
Still, a good movie to add to your cult collection.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
twisted fun, January 4, 2006
It amazes me how a 30 year old movie can still shock you. Drag Queens making out with "straight" guys? way ahead of its time.
the movie is hilarious and dark at the same time. Candy Darling looks flawless, Holly Woodlawn looks scary and Jackie Curtis is just a mess.DP work is a bit mediocre ( thanks to the mastermind of this project: Warhol himself) and editing could be better. Seeing Holly Woodlawn molesting beautiful Jane Forth is priceless though!
Overall a movie about an era and a scene long gone but very much missed....
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