To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Three very tall ladies with impressive jawlines get lost on the way to a beauty pageant and accidentally fix a small town using only makeup and tough love.

🍿 To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Drag Queens Win Trip to Hollywood

Noxeema Jackson (Wesley Snipes) and Vida Boheme (Patrick Swayze) win a local drag queen pageant in New York City, securing a trip to the ‘Drag Queen of America’ pageant in Hollywood. They represent contrasting styles and personas within the drag community, showcasing different facets of the art form. They decide to take Chi-Chi Rodriguez (John Leguizamo), a less experienced and somewhat naive drag queen, under their wing. Seeing Chi-Chi’s potential but lack of confidence, Vida and Noxeema cash in their plane tickets to buy a Cadillac convertible for a cross-country road trip, aiming to mentor Chi-Chi along the way.

Stranded in Snydersville

The trio’s journey takes an unexpected turn when their car breaks down in Snydersville, a small, conservative town far removed from the vibrant drag scene of New York City. The women must navigate the challenges of being outsiders in a place where their lifestyle isn’t readily accepted. While waiting for car repairs, Vida, Noxeema, and Chi-Chi find themselves impacting the lives of the town’s residents. They offer advice and support, particularly to women dealing with personal struggles, subtly challenging the town’s traditional values and promoting self-acceptance.

Facing Sheriff Dollard

Their stay in Snydersville is complicated by Sheriff Dollard (Chris Penn), a homophobic lawman who holds a grudge against the queens from a previous encounter. Dollard relentlessly pursues them, fueled by prejudice and a desire to assert his authority. The drag queens must outsmart Dollard while continuing to uplift the townspeople. The film balances comedic elements with serious themes of tolerance, acceptance, and standing up against prejudice.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Vida Boheme (Patrick Swayze): A sophisticated and elegant drag queen who embodies class and strives to make a positive impact on those around her.
• Noxeema Jackson (Wesley Snipes): A confident and assertive drag queen who carries herself with pride and provides wisdom and guidance to others.
• Chi-Chi Rodriguez (John Leguizamo): A naive and inexperienced drag queen princess who learns to embrace her inner confidence and find her place in the world.
• Carol Ann (Stockard Channing): A battered wife in a small town who finds the strength to stand up for herself with the help of the drag queens.
• Sheriff Dollard (Chris Penn): A homophobic and bigoted sheriff who antagonizes the drag queens and represents the prejudice they face.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Vida: “Noxeema, sometimes, even in a dress, one must be a man.” – Vida says this to Noxeema when she needs to be assertive and stand up for herself and others.
• Noxeema: “You are not a woman until you’ve been smacked around by a man!” – Noxeema sarcastically remarks on Chi-Chi’s inexperience and naive understanding of womanhood.
• Vida: “Larger than life is just the right size.” – Vida says this, encapsulating the glamorous, over-the-top attitude of a drag queen.
• Chi-Chi: “I am Chi-Chi Rodriguez! And I get better!” – Chi-Chi exclaims this after standing up for herself, displaying newfound confidence.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $36,474,193
• Worldwide Gross: $47,774,193

💥 To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing this movie as a kid and being completely mesmerized. It was so funny and outrageous! Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, and John Leguizamo were absolutely brilliant. I was surprised at the movie ending up dealing with tough subjects such as domestic abuse and homophobia. It’s a movie that stays with you, making you feel a little bit more open-minded and a lot more fabulous.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of road trip comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in films about drag culture”
  • “Those who enjoy movies with positive messages about tolerance and acceptance”
  • “Fans of Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, and John Leguizamo”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Homophobia”
  • “Domestic violence (briefly depicted)”
  • “Suggestive language”
  • “Some adult themes”

Professional Reviews

• Entertainment Weekly: “While occasionally veering into predictable territory, ‘To Wong Foo’ charms with its vibrant performances and surprisingly heartfelt message of acceptance. The film is a celebration of individuality and the power of friendship, making it a delightful, if not groundbreaking, cinematic experience. Swayze is particularly memorable.
• The New York Times: “The movie has its moments of genuine humor and showcases the charisma of its leads. However, it struggles to balance its comedic elements with more serious themes, resulting in a somewhat uneven viewing experience. It’s fun, but could have had more depth. Stockard Channing steals every scene.
• Variety: “A hilarious and heartwarming road trip comedy, ‘To Wong Foo’ shines due to the committed performances of its lead actors. It’s a feel-good movie that celebrates diversity and challenges societal norms, though its message sometimes gets lost in the flamboyant presentation. Leguizamo gives a career-defining performance.

Audience Reactions

The performances of the three leads, especially Patrick Swayze, were outstanding and unforgettable.: Viewers praised the movie for its humor, heart, and positive message of acceptance.

The movie made me laugh and cry, and it made me think about the importance of being true to yourself.: The movie’s over-the-top outfits and makeup added to the humor and charm.

Overall Consensus: A heartwarming and funny road trip movie with memorable performances and a positive message, though some find it a bit predictable and uneven.

Awards

1. Golden Globe (Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy)- 1996

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The title is a play on the autograph that drag queens would often ask for from Julie Newmar, best known for playing Catwoman in the 1960s Batman TV series.”
• “Many drag queens were considered for roles, but the director ultimately decided to cast actors, to have well-known actors in drag.”
• “Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, and John Leguizamo reportedly spent time with drag queens to prepare for their roles.”

🖥️ How to Watch To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar?

To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services or cable providers. You can also find it for sale on DVD and Blu-ray from retailers like Amazon and Walmart.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar, you might like these similar films:

• The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994): A road trip comedy about drag queens traveling across a desert, exploring themes of acceptance and self-discovery.
• Kinky Boots (2005): A story about unlikely people coming together to create fabulous and acceptance.
• Some Like It Hot (1959): Classic comedy involving men dressing as women and the ensuing situations.
• RuPaul’s Drag Race (2009-Present): Reality TV series showcasing drag queen artistry, competition, and personal stories.

🛒 To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar Related Products

• To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar [Blu-ray]: Own the fabulous adventure on Blu-ray. Enjoy enhanced picture and sound quality for a truly immersive viewing experience, including special features and behind-the-scenes content.
• Drag Queen Inspired Makeup Kit: Become your inner queen with a makeup kit inspired by the iconic looks of ‘To Wong Foo.’ Features vibrant eyeshadows, bold lipsticks, and sparkling glitters to create stunning drag looks.
• Julie Newmar Autographed Photo: A signed 8×10 photograph by the legendary Julie Newmar. A true collector’s item. This is a genuine celebrity autograph. Each autograph comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
• Cadillac Convertible Model Car: A scale model of the classic Cadillac convertible featured in the film. This die-cast collectible is a detailed replica, perfect for display or adding to a collection.

🎧 Soundtrack

To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Holding Out For a Hero” – performed by Bonnie Tyler
• “Free Yourself” – performed by Chaka Khan
• “Body Beautiful” – performed by Salt-N-Pepa featuring Bernadette Cooper

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

John Leguizamo On Fighting With Patrick Swayze

Did you know there was a real-life rumble on the set of ‘To Wong Foo’? John Leguizamo tells a hilarious story about getting into a fight with Patrick Swayze. You won’t believe what it was over!

Patrick Swayze with Jimmy Carter talks about playing a woman!

Imagine Patrick Swayze discussing his role in ‘To Wong Foo’ with none other than Jimmy Carter! It’s a surprisingly insightful and heartwarming conversation about breaking gender norms. Who knew?!

Patrick talking about To Wong Foo

Ever wondered how Patrick Swayze really felt about playing Vida Boheme? This short clip gives you a glimpse into his love for the character and the film. It’s super cute and makes you wanna watch the movie all over again!

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