By Amanda Gilmore
Dicks: The Musical is an instant Cult Classic.
Based on the off-Broadway musical Fucking Identical Twins by Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson (who also co-write and star here), you better believe there has never been a film quite like this before. It’s an uproarious Musical-Comedy riff off of The Parent Trap that needs to be seen to be believed.
It follows identical twin brothers Craig (Sharp) and Trevor (Jackson) who’ve never met each other. One was raised by their mother, Evelyn (Megan Mullally) the other by their father Harris (Nathan Lane). When they show up to work one day, they realize they are identical twin brothers. They concoct a plan to get their parents to fall madly in love with each other again. Unfortunately for them, their dad is gay and their mom’s vagina — literally — ran away.
The Co-Writers adapt their off-Broadway Musical into a cinematic experience that’s proudly, gloriously and unapologetically queer. Director Larry Charles (who also Directed Curb Your Enthusiasm and Borat) brings comedic genius into every musical number and scene. Most importantly, he trusts in the outstanding comedy legends he’s cast. Lane and Mullally are brilliantly cast as the oddball parents. These legendary comedic actors are fully committed to their characters and jump in head first to all the mayhem that ensues.
Dicks: The Musical is sure to be divisive. There are moments that some will find strange and the more conservative viewer will find gross (SPOILER ALERT: there’s a vagina with eyes that flies in the air). Yet, the musical-comedy will be loved by those who go in with an open mind and allow themselves to be swept up in the riotous ride. Even if the ending may make you scratch your head.
Dicks: The Musical screens at TIFF ’23:
Thursday, September 7 at 11:59 PM at Royal Alexandra Theatre
Friday, September 8 at 8 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
Saturday, September 16 at 9:30 PM at Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre
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