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 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.

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 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!

I saw this film at Fusion 2005 in L.A., and I laughed from start to finish, as did the entire screening audience. Cho's turn as her mother is priceless. Jane Lynch as a lesbian survivalist and Danny Hoch as a neo-nazi clerk hopped up on sump'm are both hilarious. And the super-bitch played by Elaine Hendrix made my jaw drop at times with her racist rants...when my jaw was not busy laughing. What is funniest about the movie is its willingness to "go there" with stereotypes, queer or otherwise, and turn them on their respective ears. The plot is sort of like "Priscilla: Queen of the Desert" in reverse, with a trip from nowheresville to NYC in the queerest car you've ever seen. What I have not seen reflected in any of the reviews of this film so far is that, at least at Fusion, EVERYONE WAS LAUGHING! So once it's out in theaters, grab your friends and go see it!