Who payed the critics

Such a frustrating disappointment

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Like a broken bookcase, "Connie and Carla" doesn't work on so many levels.To sum up the dumbed down "Victor/Victoria"-esque plot, Connie (Nia Valdaros, of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding Fame"--dangerously close to becoming a screen version of the one hit wonder) and Carla (Toni Collette--how on earth did she get mixed up in this nightmare?) are two Chicago girls that love performing showtunes in Cabaret, but, witness a mob murder, so go into hiding in LA--resurfacing in a Drag Club Cabaret bar as the hottest drag queens in town.If that summary seemed a little brief, you're welcome. Because, in the play by play you weren't subjected to, this fairy tale tripe couldn't have gotten any worse if cast and crew collectively executed a suicide pact at the end, capturing every moment of death on film.Valdaros and Collette are about as convincing as drag queens as Peter O'Toole would be if he ever decided to tackle the role of a pre-teen ballet dancer. Anyone who has seen drag can attest to the fact that the wit is scathing, the performers are larger than life, and each have a take-no-prisoners attitude while they're on stage. What Valdaros and Collette try to pass off as any of the above is the kind of caliber you'd expect to see at a Fifth Grade Comedy Night, sponsored by your local PTA.To think that as performers, Connie and Carla would pack houses, much less get other queens to want to "learn from them," is down right laughable. While on stage, their jokes have been told twenty years ago by better--and the punch lines are delivered with the same pleasure as passing a kidney stone (if it weren't for the extras yucking it up in the background, god only knows when the punch line was supposed to happen...at least they were paid to react to the so called humor...the rest of us didn't fair so well). Their voices are by no means enviable, and to call the material the film producers would like you to believe is brilliant anything other than the dog doo you're witnessing first hand, is down right insulting to the viewer. In short, if these two were to try out their act at even the lamest of gay cabaret bars, they'd clear the room faster than a bomb threat.The potholed premise aside, Valdaros and Collette don't even remotely resemble their roles--there isn't anything masculine about them. Bare in mind, every drag queen has an Adam's Apple. Lesbians, maybe--but, drag queens? Absolutely not.Even the situational poignancy--like the estranged relationship between one fellow drag queen and his straight brother (played by David Duchovny--who I'm sure is still trying to live this one down) has all the sappy sentiment of the worst After School Special from your childhood. This film couldn't get to our hearts if it used a clever.But, I do want you to rent it. Run out and rent every copy of this film that you possibly can, pile them up in your backyard, dowse them with gasoline, and burn them beyond recognition. It might seem like a pricey endeavor, but, in the long run, it'll be a small price to pay if it lets Hollywood know that you can hand it to us in a seemingly pretty package, but, if it's a pile of pig droppings, it's still going to stink.

This is a cute movie as it lightens your spirit and makes you laugh. An important part of life. The characters are flat and do what is expected but that makes it even more fun to watch. I don't have to figure out any sub plots and it doesn't do any brain drain. After a hard day in the office it was a great movie to get my mind off my problems. The drag queens were great. Their costumes and figures are better than most women. David Duchovny as a romantic lead works for me. Nia Vardalos can go up against Meg Ryan for cute and funny in a movie. She does an excellent hometown type leading lady. The plot has enough of a story line to keep you going without getting bored.

This movie is hilarious! Sure it's corny... but I haven't seen a stage show yet that wasn't. The over-blown drama is exactly the way it is in plays, musicals, and dinner theatre. Without the big drama... it's just another movie taking up shelf space at your local video store.Adjusting to the concept of drag queens was strange at first, but by the end of the movie you actually develop an understanding of and insight into why they are who they are and why they do what they do. In the movie they refer to it as an 'art form of being true to one's self' ...and even I can relate to that.The best-friend relationship between Connie and Carla really carries the movie, not to mention all the different characters and the facial expressions they use. The characters also show growing pains along with their growth, which stays true to the drama of Broadway shows.This movie is about two girls having a dream, and overcoming the obstacles of realizing that dream. It's obvious that these actors loved doing this movie and had fun while doing it. This movie has surprisingly become one of my favorite movies. Just watch it and give it a chance... you will adore it.

In short, I really enjoyed this movie more than I thought I would. When I would go through my Direct TV program guide and see it listed as an offering I would skip it but for some reason today I decided to give it a go. I'm glad I did.Kind-of a mix of Sister Act, Victor/Victoria and the Birdcage this film is fun from start to finish. Campy, silly, and corny it is just plain enjoyable (if you enjoy light drag-queen humor however - I suppose those who find men dressing badly as women non-entertaining would not enjoy this movie). I was thrilled to see Debbie Reynolds (is that a spoiler?) show up toward the end of the film and do a little song-and-dance herself. Maybe movie-goers were looking for another "Greek Wedding", but I seriously don't know why this didn't do better in the theaters. Nia Vardalos has a keen sense of humor and should keep on writing for stage as well as screen. I wasn't aware of her singing ability, although it's doubtful she will ever be considered the next Streisand (she and Toni Colette do a passable version of "Don't Rain On My Parade") she can certainly belt out a tune when necessary.While "Connie and Carla" is not brain-food it definitely does a good job of keeping you smiling and laughing, all the while making a positive statement about drag-culture and the gay community. Rent it, buy it, watch it on a pay channel but definitely see it if you want to have a good time.