"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.
122 Reviews
Much Better Than I Thought It Would Be
hisown13 March 2006
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.
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.
Like show tunes? You'd better.
=G=2 September 2004
"Connie and Carla" is about two dinner theater performers (Vardalos & Collette) who, on the lam from the mob, bring their musical show to L.A. where they pose as drag queens while one falls for a guy. More lively than sophisticated, this little musical romcom (emphasis on comedy) wears its flimsy premise out while filling in the blanks with loads of show tune song and dance snippets. A step down for writer and lead Vardalos, "C&C" makes for an ebullient, energetic, and somewhat lame powder puff and perfume comedy watch. Slammed by the critics with average marks from the public, "C&C" will play best with females and anyone into drag comedy and show tunes. (B-)
a little wooden, but totally fun
BlockChuckster12 April 2004
Toni Collette will face a lot of comparisons to another Tony: Tony Curtis from Some Like It Hot, and possibly even to Julie Andrews for her performance in Victor/Victoria, why? Simple, there just aren't that many mainstream drag queen movies out there. Should those judgement's toward previous entries into the genre be fair or not will be up to the audience. However, on it's own merit, I found the movie was incredibly well written, particular in the scenes involving the gay community in West Hollywood.
My only problem came with the cartoon-two dimensional depiction of the straights. Whether it be David Duchovny as the brother of a Drag Queen who wants to get close with his brother prior to his upcoming nuptials, his character's intolerant girlfriend who isn't aware of her future brother-in-law's lifestyle, or to a point even Nia Vardalos's acting in general...there were scenes that were stiff. Nia seriously reminds me of Al Gore...she has some moments of brilliance but more often than not, she is as stiff as a board and reminiscent of the talent you see in some small town dinner-theaters.
Despite throwing in the kitchen sink of every gay joke, save one...no references to Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz...it was an overall enjoyable experience. Just enough titillation to warrant a good time by everyone.
My only problem came with the cartoon-two dimensional depiction of the straights. Whether it be David Duchovny as the brother of a Drag Queen who wants to get close with his brother prior to his upcoming nuptials, his character's intolerant girlfriend who isn't aware of her future brother-in-law's lifestyle, or to a point even Nia Vardalos's acting in general...there were scenes that were stiff. Nia seriously reminds me of Al Gore...she has some moments of brilliance but more often than not, she is as stiff as a board and reminiscent of the talent you see in some small town dinner-theaters.
Despite throwing in the kitchen sink of every gay joke, save one...no references to Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz...it was an overall enjoyable experience. Just enough titillation to warrant a good time by everyone.
WELL I LIKED IT
plutus194727 October 2004
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
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
Another winner from Nia Vardalos that's definitely not a drag. (minor spoilers)
vertigo_145 June 2004
Writer and co-star Nia Vardalos seems to have a knack for stories like these. Very simple feel-good stories that seems to really get an audience engaged in the story and have a lot of fun with it. 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding,' for example, was Vardalos's previous success about the simple story of a Greek girl falling in love and getting married. It was like watching a real person's pre-wedding dilemmas and very engaging. You're happy for the characters when things work out and so forth. That's the kind of movie that Connie and Carla is, too. Something where you can really appreciate your characters and want things to work alright cause they're just harmless girls looking for success.
Unfortunately, success comes accidentally, as Connie and Carla, failed showgirls, witness a murder, and hideout in Los Angeles. The story uses the traditional plot of having one gender disguise themselves as another so as not to be recognized much like the comedy classic, 'Some Like it Hot.' But this story, probably inspired by the same, adds a little twist to a conventional story by having them disguise themselves as drag queens. So, essentially, they are women disguised as men dressed as women.
They pose as drag queens so they can perform stage acts at a local bar, and they turn out to be very entertaining, and consequently, very successful, bringing in much business to see the drag queens' musical showcase.
Toni Collette, who plays Carla, seemed to be better at keeping up the charade, however, once she applied all that wild, flashy make-up and remembered to keep her voice deepened most of the time. Nia Vardalos, on the other hand, always just seemed to look like a woman who put on way too much makeup. Not to mention that they never covered up their feminine hands, legs, or necks.
Collette and Vardalos did put on a good performance, nonetheless. You realize they are pretty good singing talents, and they looked like they had a lot of fun making this movie. It is, like 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding,' a very simple story that just seems to bring out the best in it's well-meaning characters.
David Duchovny may be the only drag on this story as the brother of the girl's best-friend, who is a real drag queen that has to deal with being ostracized by his family and basically everyone else that doesn't know him. This being Los Angeles, I can't believe that so many people would have difficulty in excepting them as gay men or as drag queens. But Duchovny always seems to be a one-dimensional actor much like Ben Affleck. He never really changes emotion, and he seems to be about the same in everything he's in.
And yes, as the reluctant brother of a drag queen carefully trying to make amends, he's supposed to be a very conservative (but no too conservative) type with the fitting occupation of being a financial adviser. He becomes Connie's love interest in the story, but of course, she can't blow her cover as drag queen. I think if they had gotten a more versatile actor, this character could've been much funnier in the movie, as much of the supporting cast does a good job in adding to the laughs. David Duchovny just seems to always be there, but never as an interesting sort.
The ending, too, was kind of stupid. One of those situations where Connie and Carla are performing while their captors find them and want to duke it out stage. The audience isn't sure when the show ends and the real fighting begins. But, it just seemed to end too easily, which seems contradictory when you consider that they've witnessed a murder and the guy who has them followed wants to kill them. Perhaps a bigger action moment would've been fine. It kind of lags and really takes away from the steady pace the story had been going on throughout the movie. In other words, there are very few moments in which there isn't something active going on.
Overall, however, I'd say that if you liked Nia Vardalos's previous movie (aside from the Greek stereotypes), and it is likely that a big portion of those fans are female, then you'd probably enjoy this light-hearted comedy. I'd like to see Vardalos and Collette work together again.
Unfortunately, success comes accidentally, as Connie and Carla, failed showgirls, witness a murder, and hideout in Los Angeles. The story uses the traditional plot of having one gender disguise themselves as another so as not to be recognized much like the comedy classic, 'Some Like it Hot.' But this story, probably inspired by the same, adds a little twist to a conventional story by having them disguise themselves as drag queens. So, essentially, they are women disguised as men dressed as women.
They pose as drag queens so they can perform stage acts at a local bar, and they turn out to be very entertaining, and consequently, very successful, bringing in much business to see the drag queens' musical showcase.
Toni Collette, who plays Carla, seemed to be better at keeping up the charade, however, once she applied all that wild, flashy make-up and remembered to keep her voice deepened most of the time. Nia Vardalos, on the other hand, always just seemed to look like a woman who put on way too much makeup. Not to mention that they never covered up their feminine hands, legs, or necks.
Collette and Vardalos did put on a good performance, nonetheless. You realize they are pretty good singing talents, and they looked like they had a lot of fun making this movie. It is, like 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding,' a very simple story that just seems to bring out the best in it's well-meaning characters.
David Duchovny may be the only drag on this story as the brother of the girl's best-friend, who is a real drag queen that has to deal with being ostracized by his family and basically everyone else that doesn't know him. This being Los Angeles, I can't believe that so many people would have difficulty in excepting them as gay men or as drag queens. But Duchovny always seems to be a one-dimensional actor much like Ben Affleck. He never really changes emotion, and he seems to be about the same in everything he's in.
And yes, as the reluctant brother of a drag queen carefully trying to make amends, he's supposed to be a very conservative (but no too conservative) type with the fitting occupation of being a financial adviser. He becomes Connie's love interest in the story, but of course, she can't blow her cover as drag queen. I think if they had gotten a more versatile actor, this character could've been much funnier in the movie, as much of the supporting cast does a good job in adding to the laughs. David Duchovny just seems to always be there, but never as an interesting sort.
The ending, too, was kind of stupid. One of those situations where Connie and Carla are performing while their captors find them and want to duke it out stage. The audience isn't sure when the show ends and the real fighting begins. But, it just seemed to end too easily, which seems contradictory when you consider that they've witnessed a murder and the guy who has them followed wants to kill them. Perhaps a bigger action moment would've been fine. It kind of lags and really takes away from the steady pace the story had been going on throughout the movie. In other words, there are very few moments in which there isn't something active going on.
Overall, however, I'd say that if you liked Nia Vardalos's previous movie (aside from the Greek stereotypes), and it is likely that a big portion of those fans are female, then you'd probably enjoy this light-hearted comedy. I'd like to see Vardalos and Collette work together again.
Lighten up, folks!
throckmorton19 October 2004
For pete's sakes, I've seen all those other movies just like the rest of ya - Some Like It Hot, Priscilla, all the rest. No, this isn't that. Yes, there are lots of similarities.
So what?
We're sitting here four years into the most oppressive administration in US history, and we need a lighten up. Fun as it is we can't watch Nemo every single night.
The simple truth is that this movie is fun. Set aside the attitude, let your Higher Standards go, and just simply enjoy the fun. Toni is one of the finest actresses of our day. Nia is a fine up and coming talent. Show tunes are fun. Fun!
Worry about the Higher Standards another day.
So what?
We're sitting here four years into the most oppressive administration in US history, and we need a lighten up. Fun as it is we can't watch Nemo every single night.
The simple truth is that this movie is fun. Set aside the attitude, let your Higher Standards go, and just simply enjoy the fun. Toni is one of the finest actresses of our day. Nia is a fine up and coming talent. Show tunes are fun. Fun!
Worry about the Higher Standards another day.
Sophomore Stinks
ponybones14 September 2006
Warning: Spoilers
The girl who wrote and starred in this film had everything. A hit movie about a fat Greek wedding and the world was her own. Then she wrote her second film, and it's possibly the worst movie ever made. It plays like a cheap eighties movie you'd see on cable. Then proceeds to be about girls dressing up as guys dressing up as girls, with a story about one of their male gay friends who tries to reason with his straight brother, who, by the way, the main character, Carla, is in love with. Boring. The main plot of the girls dressing up as guys being girls isn't bad, in fact it's kind of clever. Not entirely original, but it could have worked in some degrees. But the way this film was made, edited, acted, is what makes it so horrendous. It's really one of the worst movies ever, a sophomore jinx the likes we may never witness. That actress, she had it all... and threw it all away just like you will watching this stinker. And Debbie Reynold's cameos might be one of the worst celebrity cameos in the history of modern film.
Maximum Silliness, But Still Fun
Skeptic-819 April 2004
First things first: this is a very silly movie with a cardboard plot, hackneyed characters, and some atrocious dialog. BUT - nobody goes to see a movie like this for its iconic "film" moments. You go because it looks utterly ridiculous and you're in the mood for just that sort of fluff. On that basis, the movie delivers a lot of entertainment - many out-loud laughs and a variety of entertaining songs.
Toni Collette's talent reservoir seems bottomless - she can act, sing AND dance. Nia Vardalos also sings sufficiently well, and her easy, comic manner nicely leavens the somewhat hysterical character played by Collette. Together, the actresses are genuinely entertaining as they work their way through the list of Broadway standards. David Duchovny, in a role that could have been painful to watch in less competent hands, instead brings an unusually light and friendly touch to the role of Vardalos's love interest (Aside: where's he been? He's cuter than he's ever been in his life - stop languishing at home with Tea and Madelaine!).
Yes, the ending is silly; pay attention - I already said the whole movie is silly. But did I laugh loudly several times? Yup. Hysterically a couple of times? Uh-huh. Did I enjoy the musical numbers? Definitely. Will I ever feel the same way about the song "Mame" again? Not hardly. Did I get my money's worth? You betcha!
Toni Collette's talent reservoir seems bottomless - she can act, sing AND dance. Nia Vardalos also sings sufficiently well, and her easy, comic manner nicely leavens the somewhat hysterical character played by Collette. Together, the actresses are genuinely entertaining as they work their way through the list of Broadway standards. David Duchovny, in a role that could have been painful to watch in less competent hands, instead brings an unusually light and friendly touch to the role of Vardalos's love interest (Aside: where's he been? He's cuter than he's ever been in his life - stop languishing at home with Tea and Madelaine!).
Yes, the ending is silly; pay attention - I already said the whole movie is silly. But did I laugh loudly several times? Yup. Hysterically a couple of times? Uh-huh. Did I enjoy the musical numbers? Definitely. Will I ever feel the same way about the song "Mame" again? Not hardly. Did I get my money's worth? You betcha!
doesn't even qualify as science fiction
Rogue-3219 April 2004
"Connie and Carla" is one of the most painfully bad movies I have ever sat through in my entire life, plain and simple. It starts out jaw-droppingly weak and proceeds to get worse, much worse, and by the time it reaches its mind-numbingly pathetic conclusion, I absolutely couldn't wait to see the words "the end" flash on the screen.
The premise, of course, isn't original, I knew that going in, but I really like Toni Collette and I was hoping perhaps Nia Vardalos would do something creative with the idea, but no such luck. For openers, and most importantly, since it IS the plot: there was absolutely no way on earth that anyone who wasn't blind or deaf could have possibly believed that Vardalos was male, since she does NOTHING to alter her behavior, her voice or her appearance. In fact, I think that even blind and deaf people would have sensed it as well.
None of the characters bear any resemblance to a human being, although Toni Collette does an amazing job of implying a real person. This is a major feat, considering that she is given literally NOTHING to work with.
The film might have been a shade more successful if it had been played as a complete farce, making it perhaps almost possible for the viewer to suspend disbelief. Instead, Vardalos makes the proceedings even MORE insulting to any viewer with half a brain by adding 'sensitive' little subplots - like one of the cross-dressers trying to rejuvenate his relationship with his straight brother, played by David Duchovny, who is also - of course - Vardalos' love interest.
In fact, the most painful scenes involve Duchovny and Vardalos - scenes where he has to stand in close proximity to her and act like he believes she's a man. What's he doing here, trashing his career (along with Debbie Reynolds, who completely defiles herself in her brief-but-not-brief-enough appearance)?! Perhaps he was hoping to mine his experience in the science fiction genre, but this claptrap doesn't even qualify as science fiction, which generally has some form of intelligence at its core.
The premise, of course, isn't original, I knew that going in, but I really like Toni Collette and I was hoping perhaps Nia Vardalos would do something creative with the idea, but no such luck. For openers, and most importantly, since it IS the plot: there was absolutely no way on earth that anyone who wasn't blind or deaf could have possibly believed that Vardalos was male, since she does NOTHING to alter her behavior, her voice or her appearance. In fact, I think that even blind and deaf people would have sensed it as well.
None of the characters bear any resemblance to a human being, although Toni Collette does an amazing job of implying a real person. This is a major feat, considering that she is given literally NOTHING to work with.
The film might have been a shade more successful if it had been played as a complete farce, making it perhaps almost possible for the viewer to suspend disbelief. Instead, Vardalos makes the proceedings even MORE insulting to any viewer with half a brain by adding 'sensitive' little subplots - like one of the cross-dressers trying to rejuvenate his relationship with his straight brother, played by David Duchovny, who is also - of course - Vardalos' love interest.
In fact, the most painful scenes involve Duchovny and Vardalos - scenes where he has to stand in close proximity to her and act like he believes she's a man. What's he doing here, trashing his career (along with Debbie Reynolds, who completely defiles herself in her brief-but-not-brief-enough appearance)?! Perhaps he was hoping to mine his experience in the science fiction genre, but this claptrap doesn't even qualify as science fiction, which generally has some form of intelligence at its core.
Lots of Fun
Campdmg19 April 2004
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!
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!
NICE LITTLE COMEDY
iohefy-214 April 2004
This is a nice little comedy, with a lot of similarity to the hit of years ago SOME LIKE IT HOT. It does not compare with Tony Curtis, Jack Lemon and Joe E. Brown's comedy but it is ample. The musical numbers were pretty good and there were a lot of laughs. Nia Vardalos did not quite get up the the laughs in GREEK WEDDING, but she and Toni Collette had nice voices and the picture was entertaining. If you want to go see a light hearted movie that you can enjoy, go see CONNIE AND CARLA, it is a treat with the quality of the movies coming out now going down hill fast.
Cringe-worthy
Sweet_Ophelia25 November 2004
This film is about "girls pretending to be guys pretending to be girls". Connie (Nia Vardalos) and best friend Carla (Toni Collette) are show-tune performers who get themselves mixed up with the Chicago mob-scene when they witness their boss get shot by mob-boss Rudy (Robert John Burke). The girls now have to go into hiding and choose the perfect place where these criminals wont even think to look for them... someplace where there's "no culture whatsoever"...Los Angeles!
The laying low is going well until the girls get a familiar itch to perform... and audition for at the only place where cabaret is applauded... a drag queen bar. Connie and Carla, as drag queens, blow their audience away and are hired. But, of course, the crooks are still after them....
Nia Vardalos hasn't been doing so great. Her 2002 hit "My big fat Greek wedding" was followed by her 2003 series flop "my big fat Greek life", and the funny-Greek-gal who everyone thought would shoot to stardom has made little impact on Hollywood. Connie and Carla wont help her career any, I'm afraid to say. The jokes are all pretty slap-stick, cringe-worthy and ultimately fall-flat. The storyline drags (pun intended!) on for way too long, with a running time of 98 minutes in which watching Vardalos and Collette uglyfying themselves becomes almost excruciating.
David Duchovny plays Jeff, estranged brother to one of the girls drag-queen friends, Robert (Stephen Spinella) and love interest to Vardalos. Duchovny, who hasn't been on the Hollywood scene it seems, since the X-files finale needs to stretch his legs a little more before entering into the business. He gives a cardboard-cutout, dead-pan performance. Somebody needs to tell him he isn't Mulder anymore.
Collette's overly-bubbly and electric Carla is less entertaining and more annoying. It's really quite sad, she went from the masterpiece "Japanese Story" to the horrendous and gawdy "Connie and Carla". Maybe she's trying to show her versatility.... but more likely it was just poor judgment.
This film is honestly a let-down. Don't bother. Not even the songs performed are worth the watch.... the girls don't sing popular and well-known songs... so even that's a disappointment. 2/10.
The laying low is going well until the girls get a familiar itch to perform... and audition for at the only place where cabaret is applauded... a drag queen bar. Connie and Carla, as drag queens, blow their audience away and are hired. But, of course, the crooks are still after them....
Nia Vardalos hasn't been doing so great. Her 2002 hit "My big fat Greek wedding" was followed by her 2003 series flop "my big fat Greek life", and the funny-Greek-gal who everyone thought would shoot to stardom has made little impact on Hollywood. Connie and Carla wont help her career any, I'm afraid to say. The jokes are all pretty slap-stick, cringe-worthy and ultimately fall-flat. The storyline drags (pun intended!) on for way too long, with a running time of 98 minutes in which watching Vardalos and Collette uglyfying themselves becomes almost excruciating.
David Duchovny plays Jeff, estranged brother to one of the girls drag-queen friends, Robert (Stephen Spinella) and love interest to Vardalos. Duchovny, who hasn't been on the Hollywood scene it seems, since the X-files finale needs to stretch his legs a little more before entering into the business. He gives a cardboard-cutout, dead-pan performance. Somebody needs to tell him he isn't Mulder anymore.
Collette's overly-bubbly and electric Carla is less entertaining and more annoying. It's really quite sad, she went from the masterpiece "Japanese Story" to the horrendous and gawdy "Connie and Carla". Maybe she's trying to show her versatility.... but more likely it was just poor judgment.
This film is honestly a let-down. Don't bother. Not even the songs performed are worth the watch.... the girls don't sing popular and well-known songs... so even that's a disappointment. 2/10.
Very funny, but could've been even more so!
RitchCS19 August 2004
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!
Show Tunes and Slapstick
brenttraft1 May 2004
This film got terrible reviews but most of the people who see it think it is pretty good. So what gives?
This is a film that most reviewers would be embarrassed to endorse because it is pretty silly. But if you like the music and you like screwball style comedy, you will probably like this movie. This film is geared to an older crowd who are not looking for a bunch of bathroom and bedroom jokes. The theater I went to had people of all ages and everyone seemed to enjoy it. This is a film to where you can take Grandma and the kids.
This is not a masterpiece but it is better than most for what passes as comedy these days.
7 out of 10.
This is a film that most reviewers would be embarrassed to endorse because it is pretty silly. But if you like the music and you like screwball style comedy, you will probably like this movie. This film is geared to an older crowd who are not looking for a bunch of bathroom and bedroom jokes. The theater I went to had people of all ages and everyone seemed to enjoy it. This is a film to where you can take Grandma and the kids.
This is not a masterpiece but it is better than most for what passes as comedy these days.
7 out of 10.
Very cute movie...Worth the Watch
Honeycombe20 March 2006
Maybe your opinion of the movie starts with what you were expecting to begin with. I didn't expect much. So when I saw it, I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it was funny, funny, funny. Being female, I could relate to Connie and Carla's predicament. It was a fanciful look at a cliché' plot of two gals running from the mob (a la Some Like It Hot, or Victor Victoria). It's no classic like Some Like It Hot, but it's still a very entertaining, well acted small movie made with a small budget. I found myself amused at the girls' confidence throughout the years that they would "make it" professionally, when in fact they were not very good. And I found myself thrilled for them when they DID finally make it (although as drag queens)....they finally saw their dream come true. And the mob guy who chases them across America and becomes infatuated with "Mame" .....hilarious.
A great little movie worth the watch. Entertaining from start to finish. A few laughs, a few tender moments. Kudos to the actress/producer who persevered to get her movie made, despite many obstacles.
A great little movie worth the watch. Entertaining from start to finish. A few laughs, a few tender moments. Kudos to the actress/producer who persevered to get her movie made, despite many obstacles.
Thoughts on Connie and Carla
wind-talker25 June 2004
Warning: Spoilers
*may contain spoilers*
Connie and Carla is an enjoyable movie to watch. Two local girls see something they shouldn't have and end up being hunted down by a small time drug dealer. In a fright they leave their small town to hide in the wilds of LA and think of a plot to keep themselves safe and with enough money to make ends meet.
"Connie and Carla" does a good job at exploring the value of family even if what family does is not agreeable to you and exploring the journey there.
While this is a fun movie to watch and is clever in many ways, one question is never answered well by the movie. They witness a man being killed and a cop being involved in it. They never explain why they didn't go elsewhere and tell what they saw. Our two main characters haven't done anything and they do some things which seem unrealistic if it were real life.
Don't be surprised if you enjoy the movie, and equally, don't be surprised if watching it once is enough.
Connie and Carla is an enjoyable movie to watch. Two local girls see something they shouldn't have and end up being hunted down by a small time drug dealer. In a fright they leave their small town to hide in the wilds of LA and think of a plot to keep themselves safe and with enough money to make ends meet.
"Connie and Carla" does a good job at exploring the value of family even if what family does is not agreeable to you and exploring the journey there.
While this is a fun movie to watch and is clever in many ways, one question is never answered well by the movie. They witness a man being killed and a cop being involved in it. They never explain why they didn't go elsewhere and tell what they saw. Our two main characters haven't done anything and they do some things which seem unrealistic if it were real life.
Don't be surprised if you enjoy the movie, and equally, don't be surprised if watching it once is enough.
Why do bad movies happen to good people??
BJBatimdb27 November 2006
Wow. What can I say? All I could think of through this whole messy film was: It takes some feat of directing to make Toni Collette look as bad as she does in Connie and Carla. The first half of the film is an hysterical pastiche of Some Like it Hot, possessing none of that film's wit and warmth, but much more than its quota of shrieking slapstick which is merely irritating. I love musicals, but I could barely watch the drag revue stuff because the film had alienated me so badly. Everything's done at top speed with the minimum of subtlety and the maximum of ham. Scenes are choppy and by rote, seemingly unconnected to what's come before or what follows. The only relief comes from David Duchovny (in the tentative Marilyn Monroe role) as the straight brother of a drag queen who reluctantly starts to enjoy hanging out with Nia Vardalos (as a man). Duchovny alone refuses to buy into the hysteria around him and brings the only note of honesty and reality to the movie. Thank god for his oasis of calm in an otherwise overwrought film. The scene where he gets a manicure from Vardalos is appealing and funny and gives an insight into how the rest of the movie could have played out in better hands. But Duchovny is swimming against a serious tide of manic over-acting and finally even he flounders in the wholly predictable finale which is tired and smacks of convenience and a lack of imagination.
very funny, likeable cast
charys31 March 2004
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)
Some like it not too hot!
jotix10017 April 2004
Wow! Nia Vardalos must have intended to combine several film plots into a masterpiece. Well, "Connie and Carla" is what came out of the closet! It is a combination of "Some Like it Hot", "Sister Act", "Victor/Victoria", and others of the same genre.
This is one of the worst possible comedies to come out this year. It is so full of cliches and deja vu situations, to make any impact. The screening I attended was so quiet that no laughs could be heard in the almost empty theater.
The idea that a sophisticated gay crowd can go for these pair is laughable, at best. It's not saying much of L.A. gays to go to any venue where these two would be performing. The whole idea of a gay dinner theater is ridiculous at best.
Stay away from this stinker.
This is one of the worst possible comedies to come out this year. It is so full of cliches and deja vu situations, to make any impact. The screening I attended was so quiet that no laughs could be heard in the almost empty theater.
The idea that a sophisticated gay crowd can go for these pair is laughable, at best. It's not saying much of L.A. gays to go to any venue where these two would be performing. The whole idea of a gay dinner theater is ridiculous at best.
Stay away from this stinker.
Some Like It NOT!
twanurit28 August 2004
Anyone see "Some like It hot" (1959), "Victor/Victoria" (1982), "Tootsie" (1982) or "Sister Act" (1992)? Nia Vardalos has written and starred in one of the most unoriginal films in years, cribbing from the 4 films to the point of plagiarism. Toni Collette and her witness a mob hit and flee from Chicago to a safe haven (Los Angeles!) where they become female impersonators in a drag club. Vardolas, big-featured and with not much screen persona, falls for David Duchovny, a neighbor who has to come to terms with a gay brother (Stephen Spinella - skinny!). That subplot is as ludicrous as is the ending, "Tootsie" -style, where the two women reveal themselves to the club in a most mawkish, badly directed (Michael Lembeck) sequence; Debbie Reynolds is thrown in to sing a one verse-song. Some of the supporting cast is OK, particularly Alec Mapa as a Filipino Drag artist. Two performers are wasted: Duchovny is a natural, easy-going, nice-looking actor who deserves better (and seems embarrassed) and the mega-talented Collette, shunted to the sidelines and whose character ends up with the same white-trashy guy from Chicago. For a time better spent, see the originals.
Worth the watch
iaklaw14 September 2006
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.
Camper than a row of tents.............
AndrewPhillips22 January 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I had great hopes for this movie, two actresses I have enjoyed watching before on screen and lots of show tunes what could I not like.In fact I did like it, there were some funny moments, the stage numbers were good, both ladies performing very well, Toni in particular. Stroke of genius having Debbie Reynolds turn up at the end, though it would have been good to see all of the song, just to make it a bit camper! So there is lots going for it, that said it is what it is, light and without a great deal of substance. I expect it will appeal to gay men more than any other demographic group but it should not be dismissed out of hand, because of that, so lets not get snobby about what is essentially a bit of fun.
Not a Funny Movie at all
christian12313 November 2004
Nia Vardalos and Toni Collette play Connie and Carla, struggling dinner theater performers in Chicago who are on the run after witnessing a mob hit. They end up in Los Angeles, where their talent is best suited for pretending to be drag queens, making them hits on the cabaret circuit. That is, until Connie falls for a guy {David Duchovny} who does not know that she's really a woman.
The plot is nothing new as this type of story has been done before. I never really liked this type of comedy before. The Hot Chick and Tootsie were pretty good but the rest that I have seen were rather lame. The preview did little to change my mind so I skipped it in theaters. I rented it recently and my suspicions were correct. The film is just not very funny or creative. There were maybe a few small chuckles but most of the jokes fell flat. The musical numbers weren't very good either so I don't understand why the audience went crazy for them. A big flaw in the film is that they didn't look like men at all. I had trouble believing they could fool anyone.
Nia Vardalos did a good job with My Big Fat Greek Wedding but she seems to have gotten lazy here. The script was just very by-the-number and lame. It was probably written in about five minutes. Her performance wasn't much better either. Toni Collette was pretty weak and unfunny as well. David Duchovny was just underused and his subplot was very poorly handled. The whole film just felt so cheap and rushed. They should have spent a longer time on it and the movie would have been funnier. In the end, Connie and Carla may find some fans on video but for the most part this film is worth skipping. Rating 3/10
The plot is nothing new as this type of story has been done before. I never really liked this type of comedy before. The Hot Chick and Tootsie were pretty good but the rest that I have seen were rather lame. The preview did little to change my mind so I skipped it in theaters. I rented it recently and my suspicions were correct. The film is just not very funny or creative. There were maybe a few small chuckles but most of the jokes fell flat. The musical numbers weren't very good either so I don't understand why the audience went crazy for them. A big flaw in the film is that they didn't look like men at all. I had trouble believing they could fool anyone.
Nia Vardalos did a good job with My Big Fat Greek Wedding but she seems to have gotten lazy here. The script was just very by-the-number and lame. It was probably written in about five minutes. Her performance wasn't much better either. Toni Collette was pretty weak and unfunny as well. David Duchovny was just underused and his subplot was very poorly handled. The whole film just felt so cheap and rushed. They should have spent a longer time on it and the movie would have been funnier. In the end, Connie and Carla may find some fans on video but for the most part this film is worth skipping. Rating 3/10
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