Classics: A Review of To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar By Lauren Ennis

Three friends, thousands of miles, and one national drag competition; what could possibly go wrong? It is this very question that is the premise of the 1995 cult classic To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar. The film hilariously follows the hijinks that three very different New York drag queens find themselves in when they hit the open road only to be stranded in the heart of the midwest. While time has made the story’s shenanigans more sweet than subversive, the film’s humor remains every bit as infectious as the day that it reached number one at the box office. For a frothy cocktail of friendship, laughter, and compassion viewers can thank the film’s stars, Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, and John Leguizamo…and maybe Wong Foo.

The story begins with drag queens Vida Boheme (Patrick Swayze) and Noxeema Jackson (Wesley Snipes) tying for first place in the “Drag Queen of the Year” competition, winning a trip to Hollywood to compete in the “Miss Drag Queen of America” pageant. Along the way they meet inexperienced and despondent would-be drag queen Chi Chi Rodriguez (John Leguizamo). Vida, determined to help Chi Chi reach her full drag queen potential, takes Chi Chi under her wing and persuades Noxeema to let the newcomer join them on their trip. The three form a fast friendship that is quickly tested when their car breaks down, stranding them in an ultra-conservative Midwestern town. The trio then embark upon an adventure that is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming as they teach the residents lessons in tolerance, empowerment, and pizzazz.

Through its fish out of water tale the film confronts viewers with vital lessons in tolerance and empowerment without missing a single comedic beat. The focus upon its three heroines provided 1990’s viewers with an, empathetic if exaggerated, glimpse into the LBGT community. While the film was a far cry from the heavy hitting dramas that would tackle this subject in the future, it still succeeded in shedding light upon a community that film and television had largely ignored. The film particularly stands out for the depth with which each of its very different leading ladies is portrayed, as each struggles with her own search for her place in the world without falling into stereotypes or caricature. As a result, the film’s portrayal of its leads as admirable, likeable, and relatable characters acts as an apt call to tolerance without reducing the script to heavy-handedness or lecturing. Similarly, the film aptly portrays the struggle of modern women as the local ladies that our heroines encounter are continually faced with the limits of gender roles, sexual harassment, and domestic abuse. While the inclusion of these obstacles highlighted vital social issues, the film is at its most empowering when Vida, Noxeema, and Chi Chi embrace their own unique selves and inspire their new friends to do the same. In this way, the film encourages viewers to not only strive beyond their own limits but to also help those around them do the same. Thus, while its story may be slapstick on the surface, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar is a film with crucial messages that will resonate long after the laughs fade.

The films shines thanks to the brilliant work of its cast. Jason London is endearing in his chivalrous turn as Chi Chi’s small-town admirer, Bobby Ray. Stockard Channing imbues her role as abused housewife Carol Anne with an essential resilience and sympathy. Jennifer Milmore is a delight as Carol Anne’s sheltered daughter, Bobbie Leigh. Chris Penn is an ideal villain in his equal parts bumbling and brutal portrayal of bigoted Sheriff Dollard. Even in the midst of stellar supporting performances, however, the film’s crowning achievements belong to Swayze, Snipes, and Leguizamo who carry their unusual roles with infectious charm. Wesley Snipes is superb in his role as sassy Noxeema as he plays her cynical persona and inner idealism with equal aplomb. John Leguizamo infuses sultry Chi Chi with particular depth as he portrays her struggles to navigate both the drag subculture, and her fraught love life. Patrick Swayze brings Vida to vibrant life as he imbues her every larger than life action and gesture with just the right dash of 1990s girl power.

As one of the most wonderfully whimsical films of the 1990’s To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar more than earns its status as a cult classic. Through its by turns slapstick and heartfelt script and engaging performances the film is guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face. Hit the road with Vida, Noxeema, and Chi Chi for a viewing experience that you will be sure to thank yourself for.

Classics: A Review of Lilo and Stitch By Lauren Ennis

After nearly a century of animated adventures Walt Disney Studios has become synonymous with the magic of childhood. While the studio is best remembered for its beloved, but often formulaic tales of larger than life heroes and beautiful princesses the studio has also released numerous more original, if less renowned, efforts. One of the studio’s most unique but unfortunately unsung releases is the endearingly offbeat tale of an eccentric girl and her unusual pet; 2002’s Lilo and Stitch. At once a break with the conventions that the studio is best known for and a return to its roots, Lilo and Stitch is an ode to childhood that puts the ‘family’ in ‘family film’.

Ohana means family; family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten

The story starts with a truly out of this world beginning as an inter-galactic council decides the fate of genetic experiment number 626; a furry weapon of mass destruction gone adorably awry. The council ultimately sentences 626’s creator to prison while 626 himself is placed on death row. Fortunately for viewers if not for the council, 626 is far more resourceful than his wide eyes would suggest, and he quickly escapes to the distant planet earth.  After crash landing in Hawaii, 626 bides his time hiding in an animal shelter where he is mistaken for a dog. Meanwhile, unconventional young Lilo and her older sister, Nani, struggle to cope with the recent deaths of their parents. When Lilo’s oddball behavior derails the pair’s interview with a street-smart social worker, Nani desperately searches for a way to manage her sister and make their empty house back into a home. This search ultimately leads the sisters to the local animal shelter where Lilo immediately attaches herself to its most notorious animal; none other than 626 whom she dubs ‘Stitch’. The unlikely trio then embark upon an series of madcap adventures as Stitch tries to stay one step ahead of galactic bounty-hunters while Lilo and Nani struggle to win over their social worker. Over the course of the film both Lilo and Stitch take a journey into the deepest depths of the human heart as they learn the true meaning of family.

Released between the end of the ‘Disney Renaissance’ of the 1990’s and the rise of Pixar’s now dominant computer animation, Lilo and Stitch arrived at a time when Disney had reached a crucial crossroads. When the fairytale formula that the studio had come to rely upon began to lose its luster the studio was forced to re-evaluate its position in a changing market. During this period of transition the studio needed to find a way to break new ground without alienating its established fan base. In an effort to strike this difficult balance the studio looked both ahead to the futuristic adventures of sci-fi while simultaneously seeking inspiration from some of its own pre-1990’s classics. The result was a film that remains unlike anything else in the Disney cannon.



I bet Lassie doesn't have those moves

The film’s greatest strength lies in the way in which it takes the familiar Disney elements that fans know and love and subverts them into something entirely unique. For example the use of traditional watercolor animation brilliantly captures the lush landscapes of modern Hawaii, while harkening back to such pre-computer studio classics as Dumbo. Simultaneously, however, the animators also lend the visuals a refreshingly modern twist through the character designs, with heroines who have realistic proportions and curves that are a stark departure from the studio’s Barbie-esque princesses. Similarly, the plot merges both the old and new by juxtaposing the science fiction action of Stitch’s adventure with the timeless tale of a lonely child and her pet to create a story that will have something for the entire family. Even the film’s soundtrack, a toe-tapping blend of modern Hawaiian and classic Elvis, adds a unique dynamic as it transports viewers into the characters’ world and mentality (grieving Lilo seeks solace in the music of her hero, Elvis), while breaking with Disney’s tradition of Broadway style show-tunes. The script’s greatest departure from studio tradition lends the film its most endearing aspect; the depth and realism of its characters. Unlike traditional Disney characters who were designed to provide young viewers with idealized role models, Lilo, Stitch, and Nani are characters who children can relate to rather than merely aspire to. While all of the characters prove likeable, each possesses flaws and quirks, which in turn keeps their often outlandish journey grounded in realism. As a result, viewers will be bound to see many of their own experiences reflected in misunderstood Lilo, stressed-out Nani, and destructive Stitch, and can easily find inspiration in the characters’ eventual triumphs. Originally advertised as Disney’s ‘black sheep’, this story of a girl and her ‘dog’ gleefully dances to the beat of its own ukulele, earning it a place amongst the best in American animation.

Easily one of the most original films released by Disney, Lilo and Stitch is an ode to anyone who couldn’t fit in because they were born to stand out. Through its breathtaking animation, infectious music, and engaging voice performances, the film weaves a fantastic tale that pays apt tribute to the best Disney classics while still breaking new ground in family animation. For an animated adventure with a little more action, join Lilo and Stitch for a truly out of this world animation experience that is guaranteed to satisfy.

Now that is what I call a rockin' soundtrack