Coming out of the same studio that gave us RuPaul's Drag Race, and stacked with a whole crew of former contestants, Stop! That! Train! plays like RuPaul basically taking a bow for the entire franchise she's built. It's not really a gay film in the traditional sense, but with so many drag stars from Ru's shows popping up alongside a few cameos from well known out gay actors, I figured it earns a spot on this blog anyway. The whole thing is completely over the top, packed with GenZ slang, loud flashy visuals, and humor that's constantly winking at you knowing how ridiculous it is. Going in you'd assume it's meant to be a laugh riot, and a lot of critics online seem to be eating it up, but I just couldn't get into it at all. I've never really been someone who vibes with campy silly stuff like this, so honestly my reaction doesn't surprise me one bit. The setup follows Tess and DeeDee, two low level stewardesses who sneak onto the fancy Glamazonian E...
What could have been a beautiful story to tell turned into an amateurish experience because of the shoddy screenplay and direction. There are so few movies based in India and this could have been the one to make a difference but unfortunately it did not.Ravi and Paul are two Brits visiting India. They go to a gay party where Ravi meets Mani and instantly falls for him. They also meet an elderly couple Murthy and Anna who have been living together for over 20 years. We are told later that Murthy ws in London and came back to India when his mother died. Anna, by then a married man persuaded him to stay back. Later only when Anna's wife died did they end up living together. Meanwhile Ravi has completely fallen for Mani. But Mani is struggling with his own responsibilities. He has to get married soon. Ravi even says that he will sponsor Mani and take him to London with him but nothing of that sort can work out. Ravi seeks Murthy & Anna's help, but the couple hide behind words of wisdom and express inability to bring Ravi & Mani together. In the end itstime for Pul and Ravi to go back and Ravi goes back with is lost love in Mani and memories of a wise elderly couple.
The story sounds interesting but was directed in a shoddy way. Scenes would just change weirdly from one to another. Too much drama and dream sequences to confuse the viewer. The movie was very sluggish but with lot of naked Indian skin. Also why would Ravi fall so soon for Mani was not clear. I am pretty sure he had his share when he was in Uk.
Overall a disappointment but maybe I had a little too much expectations. (4/10)
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