THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT (1994) **1/2 What is it with Australia and Abba, anyway? This film represents an excellent point of entry for the uninitiated, into the glamorous world of second-tier female impersonation. There's very little explicit physical affection, and what little there is is balanced by wholesome and morally unassailable brawling and profanity. Terrence Stamp is, in fact, a man's...man's...transexual, able to drink anyone in Australia (including a large, real woman) under the table, kick anyone's ass, and keep most every little hair exactly in place throughout it all. And what hair it is! Gloriously tacky, elegant, vegetarian headgear and plumage appendages, like rays of the sun seeking the exalted underworld of the edge of the stage. Australia is shot wide open, it looks like fun riding atop the bus on gossamer wings with opera blaring. The strange...strangest thing is that despite it all not all that much happens: the protagonists experience domestic difficulties, medical issues, career decisions, cheap hotels, prejudice, insults, triumphs, hangovers, car trouble...in fact most of it looks pretty boring. Which means that they're...just like...everyone else? The line about cake is one of the funniest in modern film history.
back to Brilliant Observations on 1776 Films page, or Index
go back home, or send me email
Reviews won't do it any more! I need sustained brilliance! I want to buy your novel!