THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 23, 1995 TAG: 9508230039
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Movie Review
SOURCE: BY MAL VINCENT, MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
HAIR SPRAY clouds the air in ``Wigstock: The Movie.''
After all, a good wig is hard to find.
This part-documentary and part-concert film chronicles New York City's annual Labor Day drag festival, Wigstock. It is replete with outrageous good humor that heralds gender-bending freedom. It's often great fun but, at the same time, it is just as often routine and lacking in focus.
Director Barry Shils hasn't strained himself to either make a statement or to use much imagination. This has both its down and up side.
The free-wheeling documentary lacks the bitter attitude that almost turned earlier documentaries on the subject into downers. ``Wigstock'' leaves out the sad, tormented, confused side of drag that filmmakers once felt compelled to include. At the same time, it is somewhat refreshing, and relaxing, not to be burdened with any plot whatsoever.
The performers include the mistress of ceremonies, Lady Bunny, as well as Jackie Beat and the famed Lypsinka, who uses such intricately edited recordings that you never know who you'll hear next.
There's hardly a dull moment, at least when the camera is on stage. The backstage preparations, and talk, on the other hand, can become merely talky.
A party atmosphere has inspired audience participation at local screenings. In fact, the in-part bewigged audience at the Naro is a rival to the on-screen sights. On opening night, there were beehives, and even stilts, that were more imaginative than anything the New York performers displayed.
The broad-minded, and you know who you are, will have fun. Others had best stay away. If gender-guessing is not your game, stay home and watch ``Hercules.''
A very unimportant, routine diversion - but always a diversion - ``Wigstock'' uses its subjects without making any comment.
One can somewhat identify with the director's reluctance. What comment would be appropriate? ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
MOVIE REVIEW
``Wigstock: The Movie''
MPAA rating: (not rated, language, brief nudity)
Mal's rating: 2 stars
Location: Naro in Norfolk
by CNB