To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar

To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
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Name	To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
Director	Beeban Kidron
Producer	G. Mac Brown
Writer	Douglas Carter Beane
Starring	Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, John Leguizamo, Stockard Channing, Blythe Danner
Music	Rachael Portman
Cinematography	Steve Mason
Editing	Andrew Marcus
Studio	Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment
Released	September 8, 1995
Runtime	105 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$30 million
Gross	$47.7 million

To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar is a 1995 American comedy film directed by Beeban Kidron and written by Douglas Carter Beane. The film stars Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, and John Leguizamo as three drag queens who embark on a road trip from New York City to Los Angeles, with stops in Chicago, Illinois, and Dallas, Texas. Along the way, they meet various characters, including Stockard Channing and Blythe Danner, and encounter the works of Julie Newmar, a Golden Globe-nominated actress known for her roles in Batman and Star Trek. The film features music by Rachael Portman, a BAFTA Award-winning composer, and cinematography by Steve Mason, who has worked on films like The Remains of the Day and The English Patient.

● Plot

The film's plot follows three drag queens, Noxeema Jackson (Wesley Snipes), Vida Boheme (Patrick Swayze), and Chi-Chi Rodriguez (John Leguizamo), as they travel from New York City to Los Angeles to compete in the Drag Queen of America pageant, a fictional event inspired by the Miss America pageant. Along the way, they meet a young woman named Carol Ann (Jennifer Milmore), who is escaping her abusive husband, Frank (Chris Penn), and decide to help her, visiting places like Mount Rushmore and The Grand Canyon. The group faces various challenges, including a run-in with a group of bigots in Sycamore Springs, Illinois, and a visit to the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. As they near their destination, they reflect on their experiences and the lessons they have learned, including the importance of self-acceptance and friendship, values promoted by GLAAD and The Trevor Project.

● Production

The film was produced by G. Mac Brown and Amblin Entertainment, a production company founded by Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy, and Frank Marshall. The screenplay was written by Douglas Carter Beane, who has also written plays like As Bees in Honey Drown and The Little Dog Laughed, which have been performed at The Public Theater and The Second Stage Theatre. The film was directed by Beeban Kidron, a BAFTA Award-winning director known for her work on Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit and Sylvia, a biographical drama about Sylvia Plath. The film features a soundtrack with music by Rachael Portman, Elton John, and Diana Ross, among others, and was edited by Andrew Marcus, who has worked on films like The Remains of the Day and The English Patient.

● Cast

The film stars Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, and John Leguizamo as the three main characters, with supporting performances by Stockard Channing, Blythe Danner, and Chris Penn. The cast also includes Jennifer Milmore, Arlene Golonka, and Beth Grant, among others. The film features a range of characters, including drag queens, LGBTQ+ individuals, and allies, promoting diversity and inclusion, values supported by The Human Rights Campaign and PFLAG. The film's cast has been praised for their performances, with Wesley Snipes and Patrick Swayze receiving Golden Globe nominations for their roles.

● Reception

The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the performances of the cast, particularly Wesley Snipes and Patrick Swayze. The film holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 44%, based on reviews from Roger Ebert, Gene Siskel, and other critics. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $47 million at the box office, making it a box office hit, similar to other films like The Birdcage and La Cage aux Folles. The film has since become a cult classic, with a dedicated fan base, and has been recognized as one of the best LGBTQ+ films of all time by The Advocate and Out Magazine.

● Themes

The film explores a range of themes, including identity, self-acceptance, and friendship. The film also touches on issues of homophobia, transphobia, and bigotry, highlighting the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, as documented by The Williams Institute and The National Center for Transgender Equality. The film promotes a message of acceptance and inclusion, encouraging viewers to embrace their true selves, a value supported by The It Gets Better Project and GLSEN. The film's themes are reflected in the characters and their experiences, with Noxeema Jackson and Vida Boheme serving as role models for self-acceptance and empowerment, similar to Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera.

● Legacy

The film has had a lasting impact on popular culture, with its influence visible in films like The Birdcage and La Cage aux Folles, as well as television shows like RuPaul's Drag Race and Pose. The film's legacy extends beyond the screen, with its message of acceptance and inclusion continuing to inspire LGBTQ+ individuals and allies around the world, as recognized by The Trevor Project and The Human Rights Campaign. The film has been recognized as a landmark in LGBTQ+ cinema, with its impact felt in the work of filmmakers like Todd Haynes and Gregg Araki, who have gone on to create films like Velvet Goldmine and Mysterious Skin. The film's influence can also be seen in the work of artists like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, who have used their platforms to promote LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance, values supported by GLAAD and PFLAG. Category:American comedy films