8 Film Musicals For People Who Don't Like Musicals
6. The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert (1994)
The Agent Smith, General Zod and the guy from Memento are on a bus. Is it a joke? No, it's the unlikely story of three cabaret performers, two drag-queens and a transgender, as they embark on a journey across the Australian outbacks in a pink bus they've named Priscilla. This rollicking adventure balances smoothly between sidesplitting saucy comedy and genuine melodrama. On one hand, writer and director Stephen Elliott has come up with irresistible, raunchy dialogue. On the other hand, he never shies away from the harshness of reality, when the three performers are subjected to violence and abuse from the homophobic locals. Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce and Terence Stamp are all charismatic enough to hold the screen alone - with Stamp receiving a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor. Their glorious on-screen chemistry gives a true sense of authenticity to their relationship and makes the movie soars. Whether they are performing to 80s disco songs or bickering about their lack of comfort in a hotel room, they are always a joy to watch. More importantly, they all bring an unexpected depth to the characters. Because, under their extravagant, Oscar-winning feathered costumes, and their glamorous make-up, there's nothing more than three insecure human beings, trapped in a tiresome job all struggling against their fear of loneliness, parenthood and acceptance. They are as down-to-earth with their profession and their identity as they are afraid of breaking a nail.
