"Cross-Dressing Cross Country"

THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT

Year: 1994
Country: Australia
Language: English, Filipino
Number: 1003
Director: Stephan Elliot
Starring: Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce, Terence Stamp, Bill Hunter
Oscar wins: Best Costume Design

Stephan Elliott's The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is along with Muriel's Wedding the two Australian films from '94 that both have gained a big cult status, not only in Australia alone, but all over the world, with their use of ABBA music, unknown Aussie actors that later became world famous and two amazing performances by Australian character actor Bill Hunter.

Priscilla is the story about two drag queens, Mitzi (Hugo Weaving), Felicia (Guy Pearce) and a transsexual woman named Bernadette (Terence Stamp) who bought a buss that they named Priscilla in order to travel cross country to perform their drag queen dance numbers. But the trip is also a way for Bernadette to forget about her dead husband, while Mitzi just discovered that he has a son from a previous heterosexual marriage.

Priscilla is an enjoyable and entertaining road trip movie that have gained a big cult status in the gay and drag community. Where similar trips have occurred in real life, which includes standing on top of the Ayers Rock in drag. There's some pretty good dancing numbers as well that every one can enjoy. There's also some unforgettable supporting characters like Bill Hunter's Bob, an outback mechanic and his crazy Filipino mail order bride Marion, who is known for shooting ping pong balls out of... eh... somewhere. It's a road trip movie that teaches us very much about how tough the life is for most gay and drag people, and how they cope with it by breaking loose. Thumbs up.

Rating: B+

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