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22 out of 25 people found the following review useful: Maximum Silliness, But Still Fun, 19 April 2004 Author: Skeptic-8 from Phoenix, AZ
First things first: this is a very silly movie with a cardboard plot, hackneyed characters, and some atrocious dialog. BUT - nobody goes to see a movie like this for its iconic "film" moments. You go because it looks utterly ridiculous and you're in the mood for just that sort of fluff. On that basis, the movie delivers a lot of entertainment - many out-loud laughs and a variety of entertaining songs. Toni Collette's talent reservoir seems bottomless - she can act, sing AND dance. Nia Vardalos also sings sufficiently well, and her easy, comic manner nicely leavens the somewhat hysterical character played by Collette. Together, the actresses are genuinely entertaining as they work their way through the list of Broadway standards. David Duchovny, in a role that could have been painful to watch in less competent hands, instead brings an unusually light and friendly touch to the role of Vardalos's love interest (Aside: where's he been? He's cuter than he's ever been in his life - stop languishing at home with Tea and Madelaine!). Yes, the ending is silly; pay attention - I already said the whole movie is silly. But did I laugh loudly several times? Yup. Hysterically a couple of times? Uh-huh. Did I enjoy the musical numbers? Definitely. Will I ever feel the same way about the song "Mame" again? Not hardly. Did I get my money's worth? You betcha!
23 out of 28 people found the following review useful: very funny, likeable cast, 31 March 2004 Author: charys from cleveland, OH
I just saw this yesterday, and thought it was excellent. The first half hour is a little slow and predictable, but once the movie gets going it is very funny. Yes, there are drag queens and when we saw it a few people walked out. But most of the crowd - a few kids, college students, and mostly older retired people - loved it! There are many funny scenes, and the movie itself could be called a musical, as there are plenty of renditions of broadway songs with the ladies dressed in drag. It is a cute story, the drag queens are very likeable and the movie makes some attempt to understand why they dress in drag, and to be understanding about the rest of the world's perception of them. Not everyone is ready to see a movie starring some drag queens, but for those that can look past that, it's a heartwarming story about friendship and acceptance :o)
28 out of 38 people found the following review useful: The Funniest Movie of the Winter/Spring 2004 Season, 18 April 2004 Author: tabuno from utah
Connie and Carla received the biggest laughs so far from an audience that I've been with this year. The comic humor and the touching emotions exude of the screen in this movie echoing Whoopi Goldberg is The Sister Act and even earlier comedies by Some Like It Hot (1959). Nia Vardalos as Connie and Toni Collette as Carla are remarkable having to portray women being men being women. Even David Duchovny plays it for great dry humor laughs with excellent character acting. This underrated film goes over the top sometimes in its stereotypical portrayal of gay men (as is unfortunately typical), yet it attempts to maintain a sensitive presentation of the issue. Eight out of Ten Stars.
20 out of 24 people found the following review useful: Lots of Fun, 19 April 2004 Author: Campdmg (campdmg@comcast.net) from Windsor, CT
If you go looking for an Academy favorite, you'll not enjoy this film. If you want to laugh yourself silly and just have a romp with fun, this will be a blast.Toni Collette is perfect as a woman pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman. From the moment she catches herself NOT lowering her voice followed by an attempt at a drag queen's overdone smile, she wins you over. Her silly and girlish character is a winner....especially after opening an unknown package in the car.Nia Vardalos will never win an acting award, but still has fun developing her own roles that she clearly writes for herself. She exudes self confidence, taking on the leadership role of the friendship. She allows us to see the weaknesses of her character here, however, making it a happy departure from My Big Fat Greek Wedding where she was so full of self doubt.You'll be hardpressed to find better on screen chemistry between any two people that will be beat Collette and Vardalos in Connie and Carla.David Duchovney and Stephan Spinella are also highly effective in the role as anguished brothers, ultimately proving the well known theory about blood and water. Duchoveny, within moments can make you hate his character and then go doe eyed for him again. Spinella came close to making me cry.These four are surrounded by a wonderful ensemble cast, who were gratefully not over stereotyped. They were not portrayed as bitchy, fingernail weilding mockerys of the drag queen stereotype, but rather as caring individuals who feel they have a common bond and love enough to go around, regardless of your orientation, job description, or gender.Go see this one. Even is it's just for the music, which by the way, is awesome!
13 out of 18 people found the following review useful: One Good Laugh Deserves Another., 19 April 2004 Author: narnerbee
Yes, this Laverne & Shirly type of comedy is better than anything else released so far in 2004. Toni Collette has always delighted me in her accidental roles that get into trouble by mistake. This one goes for the gold, and the ambition as two light headed singers are intwined with a big mob screw-up! What do you do? Well of course, you disguise yourself! As for the drags n fags, can't comment, not one of them, but art is well spoken in this film, and Vardalos makes it fun with good clean cut, slapstick situations which bring down the two leading women to a mistaken ending, for the better. Collette and Vardalos are sizzelin hot! Duchoveny is honest, and the rest, well, the are believable. Pure fun like an Ellen DeGeneres comedy hour, this one never takes itself to seriously, or too foolish either. Give it a chance, you might like it.
10 out of 14 people found the following review useful: Light and Airy, 25 April 2004 Author: Dale Haufrect, M.D., M.A. (dhaufrect@yahoo.com) from Houston, Texas
"Connie and Carla" is a delightful light comedy. It describes two young women in a dinner club in O'Hare airport in Chicago. They witness a murder of their manager, and escape to Los Angeles to avoid their own executions. Connie is played by Nia Vardalo of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" fame. She gives a pithy performance and one is drawn to her likable character. Toni Collette as Carla also gives a warm performance. Together they portray drag queens in their quest for remaining undiscovered. There is a delightful array of "drag queens" in the chorus line that punctuates this well organized film. In addition, there is a charming surprise performance by Debbie Reynolds toward the end. I can recommend this film as a very light way to spend ones cinematic experience. It is not great, but it is lots of fun.
6 out of 7 people found the following review useful: Worth the watch, 14 September 2006 Author: iaklaw from United States
This is a cute movie as it lightens your spirit and makes you laugh. An important part of life. The characters are flat and do what is expected but that makes it even more fun to watch. I don't have to figure out any sub plots and it doesn't do any brain drain. After a hard day in the office it was a great movie to get my mind off my problems. The drag queens were great. Their costumes and figures are better than most women. David Duchovny as a romantic lead works for me. Nia Vardalos can go up against Meg Ryan for cute and funny in a movie. She does an excellent hometown type leading lady. The plot has enough of a story line to keep you going without getting bored.
9 out of 13 people found the following review useful: delightful, entertaining and worth the money!, 19 April 2004 Author: Bentleyx from Alberta, Canada
this was a surprise, a nice surprise. How delightful to be entertained for a change and leave the movie with a smile on your face. It was almost a continual smile everytime you thought about the movie. Made the world seem sunnier. It was funny, well edited, and gave the audience a few things to think about in the meantime.! It did have a little resemblance to 'some like it hot', but not completely. Talented, smart, funny, and wonderfully canadian 'Via' has given Canada lots to be proud of..! I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and would recommend it to anyone and everyone, and if I get the chance will see it again..thanks our winnipeg star..!
2 out of 2 people found the following review useful: Kudos for Connie & Carla!, 27 July 2005 Author: Amy Adler from Toledo, Ohio
Connie (Nia Vardalos) and Carla (Toni Collette) have been putting on musical shows since their school days. Although the audiences are mostly small and nonplussed, they keep plugging away, singing their hearts out. After witnessing a mobster's murder, however, they head from the heartland to Los Angeles. There, by a strange turn of events, they score as drag queens in a gay bar. It's good cover from the mob that's after them but, how will it affect their chances for romance? This is a darling movie with plenty of spunk and sparkle. Vardalos and Collette are funny and charming as the gals with a big secret under their costumes. David Duchovny, as always, gives a vibrant, appealing performance as the love interest for Connie. The costumes are just amazingly wonderful and abundant. Then, too, the gentlemen who portray the other drag queens are touching, amusing, and brave. If you wish to giggle through a movie with plenty of heart and humanity, this is a good choice. If, however, you are somewhat offended by gay themes and situations, you could skip this film. Those who pass over this movie will nonetheless be missing something special.
5 out of 8 people found the following review useful: Like show tunes? You'd better., 2 September 2004 Author: George Parker from Orange County, CA USA
"Connie and Carla" is about two dinner theater performers (Vardalos & Collette) who, on the lam from the mob, bring their musical show to L.A. where they pose as drag queens while one falls for a guy. More lively than sophisticated, this little musical romcom (emphasis on comedy) wears its flimsy premise out while filling in the blanks with loads of show tune song and dance snippets. A step down for writer and lead Vardalos, "C&C" makes for an ebullient, energetic, and somewhat lame powder puff and perfume comedy watch. Slammed by the critics with average marks from the public, "C&C" will play best with females and anyone into drag comedy and show tunes. (B-)
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