The Adventures Of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert

The plot is fairly easy: Two drag queens and a transsexual get a cabaret gig in the middle of the desert and travel from Sydney to Alice Spring. On their journey they collide with small town citizens, aborigines and tourists.

Is this just one of these a typical gay movies? Gays in drag and a lot of hilarious scenes? Yes and NO at the same time.
Yes because you have all these stereotypes and typical hilarious scene. First one thinks that is properly all. But as the bus tour gets under way and the 3 guys travel through the desert one gets to learn more and more about them, learns about the past, their experiences as gays and drag queens, their hopes, their traumas. Steps by step one learns that under all the make-up, mascarra and fake coolness that are presented to the out-side world one finds nice and decent guys.

Maybe all this is portrait in such a great way because the three principal actors are straight, but are able to create sympathetic gays with characters
Hugo Weaving (better known for his part as Agent Smith in the "Matrix" movies and "The Lord of the Rings") plays the most "straight" part, Tick, who has a ex-wife and a little son. A father in drag? His fear how the son would react to it. Great acting when he had to confront his fears, his son and ..... no watch it how it is solved.
Guy Pearce as Adam is the most "gay" in the sense of being the most outrageous. He portraits the most of the well known cliches. But he is able to bring enormous depth and insight into his part.
My favorite is nevertheless Terence Stamp (yes, I do mean HIM!) as the transsexual Bernadette. Dignity, a great sense of humor, depth of experience and hurt, but strong come mind seeing his acting - absolutely believable. His love story with a mechanic is wonderfully touching!

and above all: great songs and music.
I loved particuarly the scene with the aborigines.
All your senses will be touched.

5 stars are simply not enough!


Superb!   July 10, 2005
12 out of 12 found this review helpful

Probably the best film ever to come out of Australia!

Further to the previous review, this film is a road movie meets feel good movie with comedy and issues thrown in. The casting is inspired, (when I saw that Guy Pierce of Neighbours was in it as a drag queen......well!), but he steals the show as the bitchy Felicia. Terence Stamp as the transexual Bernadette and Hugo Weaving, (Agent Smith - Matrix & Elrond - Lord of the Rings), are also both excellent!

You don't have to be "that way inclined" to enjoy this movie. I'm as straight as they come and I enjoyed every minute. If you're feeling down - watch this film, it'll pick you up in no time.

Don't delay, buy today!


One of the funniest...   February 12, 2006
Karma (UK)
16 out of 17 found this review helpful

I'm going to put it as simply as I can; This film is one of the funniest comedies I've ever seen, its absolutely unmissable.

Go see it. Right now, go on! Still here? Go!


Fantastic!   May 7, 2006
RM Brown (Northampton, UK)
15 out of 16 found this review helpful

This is a fantastic film that everyone should watch! This is a classic film which will make you laugh out loud and cry. It has some great heart-warming scenes and makes you see things in a different light. The outfits are outrageous and fabulous and the three main actors are brilliant in their roles. With a fabulous soundtrack which will get you humming along, this film should not be missed!