The Basics Title: Connie and Carla Rating: PG - 13
Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Best for Ages: 15+
Ages 3 - 7: Red
Ages 8 - 12: Red
Ages 13 - 17: Yellow
Violence Amount: Green
Violence Portrayal:
Green
Fear: Green
Illegal / Harmful: Yellow
Language: Yellow
Nudity: Green
Sex: Green
Review:
Connie (Nia Vardalos) and Carla (Toni Collette)
have wanted to be dinner theatre singers since
childhood. They end up singing at an airport
in Chicago in between waiting on tables. One
night, they accidentally witness their boss
being murdered. They decide to leave town
because the killers saw them. They head for
California. Once there, they try blending
into the scenery by becoming lounge singers
at a drag queen bar. They are women disguised
as men dressing up as women. They get to sing
show tunes to their heart's content and they
become a big hit. Unfortunately, their fame
makes it easier for the killers to find them.
At the same time, Connie meets the brother
(David Duchovny) of one of the other drag
queens. She has a real connection with him
and wants him to know that she is a woman.
This movie is a lot of fun. The show tunes
are well done. Nia Vardalos and Toni Collette
bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to their
characters. It's also great to see that Nia's
hit My Big Fat Greek Wedding was not just
a one-time fluke. Nia again wrote the script
and stars in it. Diversity is a major issue
in the movie. Accepting others for who they
are is also an issue. There are adult thematic
elements, sexual humor, drug references, comic
violence, and most of the movie takes place
in a bar. Families might want to discuss how
to treat people who are different from what
we are used to. How do we keep fighting for
what we want and dream when the going gets
tough?
Linda
Thomas is a native Minnesotan. She
graduated from the University of
Minnesota with a double major in
sociology and psychology. Married
with a family, she has remained
in the Minneapolis area.
Linda has been a lover of movies
since she was a small child. This
love of film eventually brought
her to the point in life where
she is now, a film critic. She
was featured on WCCO radio for
three years on the “Dark
in the Morning” show with
Dark Star.
In December of 2001, Linda became
the film critic for the syndicated
“Ruth Koscielak Show”.
Linda sees over 150 movies a
year and has had the opportunity
to interview a number of directors
and actors when they are in town.
She has also appeared on a public
access show called the "Cinema
Judge" and has ventured into
writing for "Cinestar"
magazine in September 2002. The
Twin Cities movie magazine is
available, for free, at most local
Blockbuster's and local movie
cheaters.
As one of the few female reviewers
in the Twin Cities area, she brings
a unique point of view to her
reviews. Linda has raised two
children, a boy and a girl, and
knows what they like in movies
and what is appropriate. Hopefully,
her reviews will help your family
in choosing where to next spend
your movie-going dollar.
Linda
Thomas is a native Minnesotan. She
graduated from the University of
Minnesota with a double major in
sociology and psychology. Married
with a family, she has remained
in the Minneapolis area.