Simply Perfect

Absolutely Fantastic

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

The Topp Twins are accomplished musical stylists, episodically gifted songwriters, respectable cultural commentators and excruciatingly dreadful comedians, but that's not why this movie was made. It's actually a sort of socio-political pornography aimed squarely at existing fans. The purpose of this movie is essentially to allow people who've never knowingly met a lesbian and don't know which end of a sheep to feed to feel smug about liking and hating all the right things - hooray agrarian sensibilities and homosexual law reform, boo 1981 tours and nuclear ships. The Twins seem all too happy to contribute to this, not even complaining when the editors fade out their most lovely song, "Milestones", in favor of an interview where they congratulate each other for being so humble as to not use limousines on tour. We do eventually learn the real reason these girls are untouchable - they're lightning rods for the conceits and enthusiasms of New Zealand's suburban, heterosexual, middle-class liberal establishment - but that reason is nothing much to be proud of.

A feel-good movie that captures one's attention from the beginning and keeps it riveted to the end. The story of the Topp Twins unfolds chronologically with humor. They share the stage with other New Zealand artists and activists, whom we don't have the pleasure of knowing about here in the United States. The movie tickles with gender shifts, positive political activism, music, family, respect, and love while imparting important messages about tolerance, class differences, human rights, and the power of enjoying one's life to the fullest. As an identical twin, I enjoyed watching the connection between Jools and Linda play out over the time period covered by the movie. The editing of the title song at the end is brilliant as it shifts from one time period to another. The movie is inspiring and uplifting and a darn good time!

Rarely have I been so moved that I roared with laughter, tears obscuring the screen. No-one objected as everyone was also in such a joyous mood. Mind you, there could have been a few tears for the tough times, but somehow these girls just let you enjoy their triumph over adversity. This is a documentary that feels like a good movie script with superb actors. Damn, they are good! How often does one instinctively clap the credits? This is a winner, believe me, no matter where you live. The twins are unique international comedians of the first order and have been directed with the lightest of touches so bringing forth all their artistry. A rare and great combination. Thank you all.

The older I get, the more moved I am by people who perfectly express who they are. The Topp Twins are "New Zealand icons": yodelling lesbian comic singers with (as one show-biz type acknowledges) zero commercial prospects but who are nonetheless approaching three decades into a career as peerless audience-pleasers with perfect entertainment pitch. This film tells the story (including the Topps' key role in the repeal of sodomy laws in NZ just by being more fun than the opposition) with no frills but enormous heart.But wait! You also get: the funniest lesbian joke I've ever heard. (Hope that's not a spoiler)