Chrissy Judy

My first thoughts having finished watching this film is that it is about how to balance your dreams v/s the reality of life. More importantly it's about friendship goes beyond anything you can imagine. It’s platonic, intense, and short of romantic. Shot in black and white, probably to give an artsy feel to it, and based in New York (and of course, I am a sucker for films based in the city), by the time film ends, it is a mirror to a very little discussed topic if loneliness and how it impacts all of us in todays life.

Judy and Chrissy are two queer men, best of friends and have a rock solid relationship. They do drag shows together which are reflected in the names that they use, although very much struggling to get any audience. They are so close that they even had a pact to marry at some point if they are both single. Out of blue, one day Chrissy declares that he is moving to Philadelphia to be with his boyfriend leaving Judy in complete shock. This leaves Judy down a spiral of doubt, loneliness, awkwardness and concern. He simply doesn’t know how to be alone. When he seeks the companion of others, he does awkwardly and almost aggressively. He continues to struggle to perform drag as a solo artist and even harder to just get by in life money wise. Over a long weekend, Judy's invited by Chrissy to experience Philadelphia, but seeing the 'suburban' life, he continues to question Chrissy on why he would chose to leave the city for a life like this. Continuing his drinking habits, he almost embarasses his friend and probably also see mirror at the same time trying to figure out what to do with his life. Having had enough of no-strings attached hookups, he finally decides to take up the summer job in P-town in motel so that he can also embrace his solo drag acts. This comes out as a complete sunrise to him, because not only he rediscovers himself, both as a performer and an artist, he also realizes that he will eventually need to grow up in life.

Even though the title is about two friends, the film is clearly about the charter of Judy. And what I didn't realize until writing this that the actor playing Judy also is the director of the film. Now, I am impressed. He’s solid in his role as a lonesome queer man whose safe space is far too empty. But growing feels necessary this time. He knows he will have to face the possibility he never even considered. His friendly chemistry with Chrissy is amazing and something. Most queer friends will be able to relate to. They play off each other with a natural flair that speaks to the type of dynamic that no matter what drama has occurred between them or the distance that currently separates them, theirs will always be a connection unbroken. And the unexpected climax almost proves it. It's a point in time, when Judy has almost embraced the reality of life and this is when he meets Chrissy again in P-Ton who is there for a weekend just to get a break. And this is when the friends reconnect but in a very different mental space. The film is about the complexities of growing up and growing apart with thorough respect. Change is hard and not everyone adapts to it as easily as the other person. The film may not be everyone's cup of tea but there were definitely elements that resonated with me around loneliness. This film felt like something someone has gone through up, close and personal. Try to give this film a chance. (6.5/10)