Bam Bam and Celeste

I just saw this movie at the Toronto International Film Festival and Margaret Cho was there greeting fans at the entrance. She took questions, she took pictures, she was infinitely sweet and patient and I wanted nothing more than to love this movie; a fag and fag-hag road trip comedy, what could be better? Unfortunately I found the comedy was often of the "Psychics with ESPN" variety or that the timing was just off and I felt a bit disappointed that Maragret and also very funny Bruce did not imbue Bam Bam & Celeste with more character and personality since both in real life are such engaging and fun comedians I know it's a comedy and I wasn't expecting in-depth character development but they often came across a bit flat. I did however LOVE the supporting cast and the cameos alone make it worth watching. Plus Elaine Hendrix as the villainous high school tormentor turned beauty salon bitch was a brilliant casting choice. And Margaret playing her mother is reason enough to give the movie a shot.

It's really colourful, really honest and clearly straight from Maragret's heart--I just wish more of the personality she shows in her stand-up would have translated into the script.

I LOVE this edgy flick and I'm here to tell you Celeste & Bambam is gonna be a CULT Classic. YOU HAVEN'T SEEN A FILM LIKE THIS BEFORE! The kinda wild combo of a funky Korean-American girl, Celeste Chun (MARGARET CHO) and hip, gay Black American guy, Bambam (BRUCE DANIELS) teams up to escape "in your face" white racism in the U.S. Midwest. While they work their way cross-country to overcome their past, Celeste tells Bambam "Someday people are gonna wanna hear what WE have to say!" Right on, Celeste! Then there's Margaret's spot-on interpretation of a goofy yet loving Mom, also played by HERSELF. "Who is this?" Mommy asks Celeste on the phone, "I'm sorry, I have to ask everyone for security reasons." There's so much going on in this film and there are more memorable lines & quirky characters. Brit actor ALAN CUMMING plays nice guy Eugene: "High school is the natural habitat of dictators," while JOHN CHO (Harold of "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle") plays the host of a TV show called "TRADING FACES." I love JANE LYNCH, too, as "Darlene Dawson" - "Just a leeettle bit'a in-breedin'. Just-a touch." And later to Celeste: "I think you're even more beautiful-er in the mornin'." Darlene's the white "lesbian Lone Ranger" with a sweet heart of gold. Later Celeste has a run-in at a gas station where she tells off a racist store attendant calling her ALL kinds of names. "If you're gonna be racist, get a 'neo-Nazi to English' dictionary!" You go, Celeste! I'm not giving away anymore, but mark my words: CELESTE & BAMBAM IS a whole new Cult Classic. If you can handle it check out this flick. Thanks Margaret and Bruce!!

I saw this film at the Frameline Film Festival in San Francisco! The film was funny, campy and a great send-up of 80s high school life! The audience at The Castro Theatre hooted and hollered and cheered all the way through. The moment we first saw Margaret we ALL applauded. I laughed throughout the film along with everyone else. Bruce Daniels was fun and watched it with us. (He and the director did a Q&A after.) Great first feature... well directed and great pink car! I don't want to give any spoilers but if you want to see a silly, campy romp then check this film out when it plays in limited release later this fall. Spread the word and hopefully it will get bigger distribution!

Horribly directed. I'm going to assume that this is why Margaret looked like she couldn't act her way out of a paper bag but even the director couldn't ruin her turns as her mother, which were the film's highlights.

Who told Daniels to talk like that? He had to raise his voice so people would believe he was a fag? Oh please. It's kind of insulting if you think about it.

I was really looking forward to Margaret's first narrative film but was so disappointed. I've read her books and have seen most of the concert films. I find it hard to believe she actually thought this was funny but supposedly, she wrote the script. Perhaps she should stick to stand up.

I really like Margaret Cho, I think she's awesome.

But this whole movie was in total contrast to the intelligence, wit and actual humour which make her standup so great.

It was boring, unoriginal and totally stereotyped. I'm not from America, so I don't know, but are there really *that many* racist/homophobes? That would be that horrible outright? It just seemed contrived. In my experience people tend to be racist/homophobic behind your back, not right to your face.

And I normally like Bruce Daniels, but why is his voice so high? I think it's as another member said, to make him sound gayer *rolls eyes*.

Overall: Bad script, bad directing, pretty bad acting.

I don't know what Alan Cummings was doing in this movie, he is far more talented than the material allows for.