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...
Erasmus is a TV talk show/chef, raging camp old queen who lives with his producer boyfriend Paul of 10 years. They live in a huge mansion in Santa Fe, and very out of touch with reality (at least that's the feeling I got). They are visited by a young boy of 10 years old Angel, who announces himself as grandson of Erasmus and that he is there because his father was jailed. Paul is shocked and thats when Erasmus tells how this happened. Neither of them is ready to take the responsibility of the child, but slowly and steadily they start it and in fact unknowingly also enjoy it. Paul becomes more of a caretaker while Erasmus still remains the fun loving friendly grandad. The bond between the three is tested when the kid's father is released and he takes his son back. Turns out Paul and Erasmus were dealing with their own little issues as a couple and Paul decides to call it quits, but he can't leave Erasmus. They work on their relationship while still missing the kid a lot. A freak accident by the father while driving brings back Angel in their lives and finally they get custody of him.
As a queer comedy film, the idea must have been, what can be more funny than two neurotic gay men as parental figures? Personally, I thought it was alright executed. Yes, Erasmus was over the top and Paul was the balancing factor but together I think they made it work. I believe you have you see and interpret the characters for what they are supposed to be. Yes, the film starts with them dealing with an unexpected kid, but later come to have a new appreciation for their partnership, thanks to the nurturing spirit brought on by Angel. There are all kinds of scenes with them trying to take care of a 10-year old that you can imagine. Waking up early, cuss words, dropping him to school, preparing lunch, visits from Child Services etc. Most fun comes from the never ending banter between the couple. They are really in their own world and find everything so odd when they meet "regular" people. They make the central relationship feel entirely believable, with the result that we truly come to care about them and the fact that we want the kid to stay with them. Yes, the gay couple is stereotyped here, but c'mmon; we can probably overlook some of these factors and just chill, enjoy and smile for a change.
A feel good, good-hearted film whose positive message about same-sex parenting is emphasized in the end credits, this will leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling. Don't expect great cinema at all. (6/10)
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