When Brad’s homophobic mother discovers he is gay, she throws him out of the house. Sleeping rough in her old car (that he ‘liberated’) he finds a new home in the bizarre and wonderful world of ball culture. It’s an underground scene in which different ‘Houses’ compete on a dance floor catwalk to see who is the most fiercest and fabulous stylish that will capture the judges eyes. The crowd is largely black …. African/American and Latino … gay and transgendered people and drag queens who adopt new names to suit their new personas, and the surname of the house that they are part of.
Regardless of its inadequate narrative the sheer energy and exuberance of the music and dancing will really enchant you. Obviously inspired by the 1990 award-winning documentary ‘Paris is Burning’ which gave Madonna’s career a new lease of life when she ‘adopted’ vogueing, it shows that this particular whole flamboyant underground culture is still very much alive.
The fact that this rare example of a gay black musical succeeds is due to some talented hands at the helm. The 11 brand new infectious songs have music penned by Kim Burse whose day job is Beyonce’s Music Director, and the incredible dance routines are by Miss Knowles’s choreographer, Frank Gatiss Jnr. The rather flamboyant cast ….many of whom have abbs to die for …. have two stand out performances with Broadway actor Ephraim Sykes (also in TV’s ‘Smash’) as Brad, and Barbie-Q (of The B-Girlz) with his powerhouse voice shines as Queef Latina who has the best wicked one-liners. And then there are the indescribably dazzling outfits that are so sexy and real WOW pieces.
A far from perfect movie, but if you love musicals with a lot of attitude and brimming with style that is very entertaining, then this is one you will want to see. And probably dance along with too (or was that just me?)
Available on DVD or VOD at Amazon
Labels: 2011, African-American, dance, musical, romantic comedy
