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To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar Customer Reviews (4 - 6 of 13 Reviews)

Uneven but when it's good it's GREAT
"To Wong Foo" seemed horribly miscast when you found out who was in it ... I mean, John Leguizamo had done drag before, proving himself to be very convincing and most definitely in touch with his "feminine side" -- but Wesley Snipes and Patrick Swayze??! Two macho movie stars pulling off parts as drag queens on a road trip?

But then you saw the movie ...

The three men do excellent jobs, Wesley Snipes in particular a total surprise in his role as Noxeema Jackson, drag queen with Attitude. Swayze, as Vida Boheme, is the "lady" of the trio who can get down and dirty when she has to -- and Leguziamo as Chi Chi Rodriguez is nothing short of perfection.

The plot is simple: At New York's Drag Queen of the Year contest, Noxeema and Vida tie for the crown. The title comes with a free airline ticket to Los Angeles, to compete in the Drag Queen of America competition, and the two "girls" couldn't be more excited. But then they meet little Latin Chi Chi Rodriguez, whose drag queen self-esteem was not at all helped by losing this competition. Vida, the kind of person who always believes in helping those less fortunate, talks a VERY disgruntled Noxeema into selling their plane tickets ... and using the money instead to buy a cheap car and drive to the L.A. contest. The night of the win, Vida spots an autographed photo of Miss Julie Newmar on the wall of the reataurant they are dining in, and reads the inscription: "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar". For those not in the know ... for years actress/model Julie Newmar, best known for her role at Catwoman on the tv series "Batman," has had rumors floating around saying that she's a drag queen in real life -- not a woman. She's just too statuesque, her face too strong on bone structure, to be a real woman! When Vida sees the framed autographed photo on the wall, she takes this as a sign that the three of them will be blessed on their quest. She also takes the photograph.

Halfway 'cross country, in Nebraska, the threesome is stopped by a racist sheriff who notices their tail light is out. Taking Vide back toward his car, he comes onto her, thinking she is a real woman. When he reaches under her dress and learns the truth, Vida tries to break free ... and knocks the sheriff to the ground, where he conks his head. They drive off quickly, before he can come to and REALLY do them all some damage.

Soon after, their old Cadillac breaks down, and Chi Chi hitchhikes them all a ride into Snydersville, a town that makes Mayberry look like New York City. Tiny and hick and populated with small-town minds as well, Snydersville seems to be the LAST place three drag queens would want to get stranded (if they want to live, that is), but when these three are stalled there for the weekend, until they get their car repaired, they decide to make the best of it by making over the town's women, addding some spark to a Strawberry Social - and, in general, bringing tons of color to an otherwise drab existence. But little do they know that Sheriff Dollard (Chris Penn) - who is less than thrilled by being knocked unconscious by a "boy in a dress," is out to find them ...

The movie is uneven in spots - the scenes in the town go from hysterical to being too stage - but overall whenever Snipes or Swayze or Leguizamo are on-screen, you could never be bored. Funny and with some VERY sharp one-liners, the movie comes close (especially in the end) to turning sappy with its "why can't we all just get along" mind-set -- but never quite pushes that envelope. The three leads are EXCELLENT, and backed beautifully by a great supporting cast the includes Stockard Channig, Melinda Dillon, Chris Penn, Jason London - even "Alias" star Michael Vartan. Ru Paul and Robin Williams add both class and style to brief cameos ... as does the one and only Miss Julie Newmar herself.

Stylish and funny and just corny enough to work, this comedy is anything but a drag ...

FUNNY IN YOUR FACE DRAG HOWEVER...
The movie itself is still great (but not a great as The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) but the DVD version is disappointing.
When I found out that it was going to contain deleted scenes, I was hoping that they would have been included in the movie. Instead they group them together as an extra. Granted after watching those scenes, it was understandable why they were deleted and/or changed. The only scene I would have added is when the "girls" are driving up the mountain and the car stalls and a truck was barreling down on them.
I have always enjoyed this movie. Wesley Snipes is hysterical as Noxeema Jackson (Jessie's daughter). His one liners and acid like tongue were perfect. Patrick Swayze was very matronly as Vida Boheme. The too tall drag queen that still has her driver's license with the name of Eugene on it. John Leguizamo was the most brilliant of everyone. He was so outrageous and razor edged funny (not to mention you had to think if it was really a woman playing Chi-Chi). He was the struggling would be drag queen who describes herself as the "Latino Marilyn Munroe-I got more legs than a bucket of chicken."
Basically the movie is your typical need to be accepted and proving the odds wrong.

Thank You, Wong Foo--For Everything!
Although critics have scrapped it as a Priscilla rip-of, it isn't. This movie has a different story to tell. Three drag queens set off to Hollywood to compete in the Miss Drag Queen America Pageant (There really is one you know) and in the process, discover their fabulousness and strengths. Patrick Swayzee is the demure Vida, an unsinkable optimist with a caring heart who is like the mother to this trio. Wesley Snipes is too wonderful as Noxzema Jackson, a sassy black queen who learns to reach further outside of herself and to trust again. John Leguizamo is Chi-Chi a fiery Latino "boy in a dress" who learns that it takes heart, strength and "having a foundation closer to my own complexion" to become a full fledged drag queen. This movie is an American Fable that guts, inner strength and a fabulous outlook can pull you through the bad times and that there is more love in this world than we think. Let go your perceptions and trust your heart, the movie says. We all want to be loved and beauty is more than looks--it is determination to live your dreams. Overall, Wong Foo is a gem, an overlooked movie with wonderful performances. Look for Stockard Channing who plays an abused wife who finds friends from unlikely places and her own voice. Also features cameos by Robin Williams and the one and only "statuesque" Julie Newmar.

Watch this movie and try not to use the word heartwarming.

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