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Priscilla is the story of
three drag queens -- Bernadette/Ralph (Terrence Stamp),
Mitzi/Tick (Hugo Weaving from Jocelyn Moorehouse's Proof),
and Felicia/Adam (soap star Guy Pearce) -- on their
way across the Australian desert to play a gig. Along
the way, their bus, Priscilla, breaks down, and they
have to rely on help from strangers. And, while crossdressing
performers are accepted in the big city, their welcome
in a less urban setting is not always warm and friendly.
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The dance numbers are lavish and fun to watch, whether
they're performed in the middle of the desert, atop a bar
in some out-of-the-way town, or on a stage in Sydney. Mostly
seventies disco hits (including once-popular tunes by Gloria
Gaynor, the Village People, and Abba), these songs are
lip-synched and gyrated to with gusto by the transvestite
trio as they don garish costumes and even worse makeup
to wow their audiences.
There are moments of seriousness amidst all the zaniness
as the twin specters of intolerance and homophobia (two
sides of the same coin) cast a pall over the proceedings.
Give director Stephan Elliot credit for not dwelling overmuch
on these instances. He knows that their mere inclusion
is sufficient to get the message across.
The often-ribald comedy varies from amusing to hilarious.
Most of the best lines are too "colorful" to
repeat here. Priscilla is not a film for those
who are made uneasy by Benny Hill. The end credits (during
and after) contain some of the movie's most inventive humor.
Early departers deprive themselves.
While each of the three leads is good, the standout performance
belongs to normally-serious veteran actor Terrence Stamp,
who has previously appeared in such diverse outings as Billy
Budd and Superman (I and II). Here, he brings
a quiet dignity to the role of Bernadette. That's not easy
to do considering some of the outrageous costumes he's
required to wear.
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is
a great deal more appealing than many might suppose it
to be. It's a road movie that's anything but typical or
traditional. So, whether or not you share the proclivities
of Bernadette, Mitzi, and Felicia, the trio's cinematic
cabaret is nevertheless something to smile and laugh your
way through. It's a gay movie best!!!
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