Tuesday, April 8, 2008

AFI Dallas movie review: Pageant

By John Garcia of The Column

Before you dismiss this documentary because you're assuming it is just a simple film about drag performers -- don't. It is so much more than that. It has so much heart, love, and acceptance that it fills your own heart with such warmth and happiness. Why? Because the film shows just how much the world has changed around us.

Let's preface this immediately by stating that this documentary is not about or based on the hit off-Broadway hit musical, Pageant. Instead this documentary takes you behind the scenes as 52 ordinary gentlemen go to extraordinary lengths in order to capture that coveted rhinestone crown of the Miss Gay America pageant. This contest is about the art of illusion, so hormones and surgical body enhancements are forbidden.

The film singles out 5 out of the 52 contestants and follows their journey, from beginning to the actual crowning. Carl Glorioso from Kansas City who competes as "Victoria DePaula" has a mother, little brother, and a family who supports him with so much love. David Lowman is "Coti Collins" (from North Carolina), who impersonates country legend Reba McEntire so well that she personally picked him to tour with her, impersonating the red-headed legend on her world tour.

Then there is Tony Brewer as "Alina Malleti" (from California) -- a vicious competitor who has a supportive husband and stepson back home; Robert Martin is "Chantel Reshae" (from Florida) who struggles to keep up with the pros in the competition; and Victor Bowling as "Victoria parker AKA Pork chop" (from South Carolina) -- a competitor who is determined to show the world that you do not have to be thin to wear a crown.

The film is gut-busting hilarious from beginning to end. It is so hysterical that it does require several viewings. Why? Because you are holding your sides from laughing so hard, that you miss the other jokes or comments that happened during the ear-shattering laughter from the previous joke. The one liners and comments come from all sides, leaving you rolling the aisle. It's been a long time at the movies where I laughed that much and that long at a movie. This includes those big budget comedies that have major film stars in them.

Pageant takes us through everything, from early rehearsals, to costume fittings, to the preliminary rounds of talent, solo talent, the interview with the judges, and evening gown -- all the way down to the final big night. It is riveting to see unfold on screen the highs and lows of competition. The revelations of what it takes to compete are very compelling and just so fascinating to watch.

One competitor does an entire number from Elton John's Aida (with dancers!), while another does a Dreamgirls number that had the sold out audience at my screening applauding loudly, cheering, and whistling -- and remember, it's a movie. The images and scenes involving the talent numbers are some of the best moments within the film.

What gives the film its heart and compassion is the great back stories of the five performers that the documentary singles out. These are so entertaining, moving, touching, and even hilarious that you honestly have a hard time who to root for to win the crown at the end!

My personal favorites from the five were Porkchop, Carl Glorioso, and Robert Martin.

Porkchop's outlook on life and the competition is heartfelt, honest, and touching, but bathed in knee-slapping humor. He knows he's not the pretty one or the thin one, but has the talent to overcome that.

Glorioso's loving family and little brother gives the film a soothing aura of family love and acceptance that will put a lump in your throat.

Finally Robert's inner battles of having to compete with the pros will move you deeply. He struggles with what he lacks, and overcomes that with such determination and focus that leaves you cheering him on to make into the top 10. But he has some major drawbacks during the competition that you could seriously feel the theater audience feel his pain. It's that engrossing! Another touching element is his relationship with his choreographer/best friend who happens to be straight. This storyline will leave tears in your eyes as you see how true friendship has no labels.

The only major flaw that I found in the film was that I wish they showed even more the rounds of competition and backstage drama. It would have been interesting to see other talent numbers, more contestant interviews with the judges, rehearsals of other numbers, and just more back stories on the other contestants. But then that would make it a five hour film, which leaves you so grateful for DVD. Who knows how much more they can add there.

Regardless, this documentary is full of glitz, glamour, and riotous laughter, but it also tears down those bejeweled walls to show the love, compassion, and streak of competition that keeps your eyes glued to the screen. You are either wiping your eyes from a heartfelt moment or holding your sides because they ache from laughing so much. Either way you walk out of Pageant only wanting to return to the box office and buy another ticket to see it all over again!

GRADE: A+

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