Connie and Carla

I was a skeptic about spending seven bucks to see this since I was probably the only viewer in the world who didn't like "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". So, I waited for Netflix to send me the DVD. Got it today and watched it. Extremely funny picture until I saw the "DVD Bonus Material". There's fifty minutes of background, research, deleted scenes and musical numbers, outtakes, etc. and I felt I would've been robbed my admission if I hadn't been able to see what the director, Michael Lembeck deleted. The movie was only 98 minutes, including credits. I think Lembeck sold his audience short thinking that the film would be too long if he included thirty more seconds of Debbie Reynolds song...or the opening (male?) quartet in the finale...just one more minute. Mr. Lembeck, in the future, don't underestimate the knowledge of your audience...or don't let us see what you thought to be unworthy to fit into this film. There were some great scenes cut...which would have only added maybe ten extra minutes to the film. Give us our money's worth next time...or let someone else do your editing!

If you go looking for an Academy favorite, you'll not enjoy this film. If you want to laugh yourself silly and just have a romp with fun, this will be a blast.

Toni Collette is perfect as a woman pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman. From the moment she catches herself NOT lowering her voice followed by an attempt at a drag queen's overdone smile, she wins you over. Her silly and girlish character is a winner....especially after opening an unknown package in the car.

Nia Vardalos will never win an acting award, but still has fun developing her own roles that she clearly writes for herself. She exudes self confidence, taking on the leadership role of the friendship. She allows us to see the weaknesses of her character here, however, making it a happy departure from My Big Fat Greek Wedding where she was so full of self doubt.

You'll be hardpressed to find better on screen chemistry between any two people that will be beat Collette and Vardalos in Connie and Carla.

David Duchovney and Stephan Spinella are also highly effective in the role as anguished brothers, ultimately proving the well known theory about blood and water. Duchoveny, within moments can make you hate his character and then go doe eyed for him again. Spinella came close to making me cry.

These four are surrounded by a wonderful ensemble cast, who were gratefully not over stereotyped. They were not portrayed as bitchy, fingernail weilding mockerys of the drag queen stereotype, but rather as caring individuals who feel they have a common bond and love enough to go around, regardless of your orientation, job description, or gender.

Go see this one. Even is it's just for the music, which by the way, is awesome!

I just saw this yesterday, and thought it was excellent. The first half hour is a little slow and predictable, but once the movie gets going it is very funny. Yes, there are drag queens and when we saw it a few people walked out. But most of the crowd - a few kids, college students, and mostly older retired people - loved it! There are many funny scenes, and the movie itself could be called a musical, as there are plenty of renditions of broadway songs with the ladies dressed in drag. It is a cute story, the drag queens are very likeable and the movie makes some attempt to understand why they dress in drag, and to be understanding about the rest of the world's perception of them. Not everyone is ready to see a movie starring some drag queens, but for those that can look past that, it's a heartwarming story about friendship and acceptance :o)

"Connie and Carla" is a delightful light comedy. It describes two young women in a dinner club in O'Hare airport in Chicago. They witness a murder of their manager, and escape to Los Angeles to avoid their own executions. Connie is played by Nia Vardalo of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" fame. She gives a pithy performance and one is drawn to her likable character. Toni Collette as Carla also gives a warm performance. Together they portray drag queens in their quest for remaining undiscovered. There is a delightful array of "drag queens" in the chorus line that punctuates this well organized film. In addition, there is a charming surprise performance by Debbie Reynolds toward the end. I can recommend this film as a very light way to spend ones cinematic experience. It is not great, but it is lots of fun.

Basically the synopsis is two girls (Connie and Carla) witness a murder and go on the run from the murderer. They end up as two women who find work in a club but have to disguise themselves as men who dress up as women. (Thats about as complicated as it gets). This is where Victor/Victoria and Sister Act come in.

True Connie and Carla is a combination of several films, including Some Like it Hot but I found it quite entertaining nevertheless.

To be honest I started watching with trepidation as I am a red blooded heterosexual and I thought that a film about cross dressers would not be much to my liking. But I was wrong.

For the most part I thought the script was tastefully written by Nia Vardalos (Connie), equally tastefully directed (Michael Lembeck) and acted by all concerned.

The soundtrack, although quite reasonable was not so good that it will be remembered but was catchy and enjoyable. The choreography quite passable and I did like the voice of Vardalos.

Although it will definitely never win any awards I would not be disappointed to find it in my Christmas Stocking.

Nia Vardalos certainly has both writing and acting talent.

I have always liked Toni Collette since her portrayal of Muriel in Muriel's Wedding. She has certainly lost some weight since ballooning in order to play that part.

Not the best ever movie but a deserved 6/10