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...
Chouchou arrives in Paris migrating from Chile (although I feel from looks and setting that the arrival should have been from somewhere North Africa, but that detail is irrelevant). Trying to find place to stay, he is taken in by a kindly priest Father Leon and Brother Jean, who also help him get a job in a psychoanalyst office as a receptionist and cleaner. The lady doctor is very friendly and one days asks what Chouchou's wish is. He tells her he would love to b a woman from head to toe. Unsurprised the doctor asks her to come dressed as woman and be herself. Chouchou is very happy. When the doctor has to go out of town for few days, an aggressive policeman, a patient of doctor shows up and assaults Chouchou who manages to run away. On street he meets his cousin who works as a drag artist in a bar, and Chouchou also starts working there as a waitress. One of the patrons Stan, a very rich man, takes a liking for her and soon there is a whirlwind of romance with him introducing Chouchou to his family. When Chouchou is back at doctor's office, the mad cop shows up again asserting the doctor and Chouchou both but this time he knocks off the policeman, who then takes them both to the station. Timely interruption from commissioner saves them both and Chouchou finally marries the man f his dreams.
Oflate I have seen many stories of transgender people but few of transvestites and this was. Welcome addition. Sure, the movie is not trying to talk about the struggles or issues of trans people, but it takes that as the basic theme and tries to create a slice of life story with how positive and innocent Chouchou is and how everyone deserves to be happy, albeit with a very light humor and fun on comedy. And this is precisely why the film works. The film is full of cliches, has an absurd plot nd will probably rub many people in the wrong way, but its really hard to dislike the film. You can't help but laugh at the loud antics and jokes. The story feels sincere and you feel that both the director and the actor were having a lot of fun while making the film, you do end up laughing at the comic situations and the scripted jokes. Imagine making a loud comedy film touching subjects of immigration, transsexuality, love and integration; but this film somehow works. The story touches us for the warmth but the execution is a laugh riot. The film is not trying to take sides or provide any meaningful answers to big political questions. Its aim is to make the audience entertained and I feel it does that very successfully. Needless to say that, if not for the unabashed beautiful acting by the lead actor, this film would have fallen to pieces. I had a lot of fun watching this film and I hope you do too. Sometimes, all we need is a good laugh without judgements. (6/10)
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