CREWS SCORES MOST IN 'WHITE CHICKS'.Byline: Bob Strauss Film Critic THE MOVIE may be called ``White Chicks,'' but it really belongs to an African-American man. I'm not talking about Shawn or Marlon Wayans, who play the title race- crossing cross-dressing brothers. The two woebegone woe·be·gone adj. 1. Affected with or marked by deep sorrow, grief, or wretchedness. See Synonyms at sad. 2. Of an inferior or deplorable condition: a rundown, woebegone old shack. FBI agents have a penchant for disguise that leads them to impersonate im·per·son·ate tr.v. im·per·son·at·ed, im·per·son·at·ing, im·per·son·ates 1. To assume the character or appearance of, especially fraudulently: impersonate a police officer. 2. a pair of blond Hamptons debutantes. And even though their real-life brother, Keenen Ivory Wayans Keenen Ivory Wayans (born June 8, 1958 in New York City, New York) is an American actor, comedian, director and writer best known as the host and creator of the FOX sketch comedy series In Living Color , fills the film with his trademark directorial mix of low humor, sight gags and slightly stinging cultural satire, he's not the real story here, either. The funniest element in this hit-and-miss comedy is Terry Crews. The former pro football player scores a gleefully glee·ful adj. Full of jubilant delight; joyful. glee  ful·ly adv.glee energetic parody of athlete vanity as Latrell Spencer, a super sex machine determined to claim his ultimate status symbol - a rich, well, white chick. Needless to say, he picks the wrong gal. That would be Marlon's Marcus Copeland, disguised as bubbleheaded heiress Tiffany Wilson (his big brother, Shawn's Kevin, dolls up as blond sister Brittany - and no, it's not worth explaining why they do this). Despite Marcus/Tiffany's best efforts to disgust his/her suitor SUITOR. One who is a party to a suit or action in court. One who is a party to an action. In its ancient sense, suitor meant one Who was bound to attend the county court, also, one who formed part of the secta. (q.v.) , Latrell only becomes more enamored en·am·or tr.v. en·am·ored, en·am·or·ing, en·am·ors To inspire with love; captivate: was enamored of the beautiful dancer; were enamored with the charming island. . And most brilliantly, more vulnerable; in his wild, wicked way, Crews actually takes the old, once-unbeatable Joe E. Brown routine from ``Some Like It Hot'' to comically confused new lengths. Crews is not the only funny thing in ``White Chicks,'' but he's certainly the most reliable. The Copeland brothers don't really look like the girls they're impersonating - despite the mammoth efforts of Greg Cannom Greg Cannom is a Hollywood special makeup effects artist. Cannom has been nominated for eight Academy Awards[1] and has won three times.[2] He has also been nominated for seven Saturn Awards and received one. and Keith Vanderlaan's makeup team to Hiltonize them. That none of their society friends really notices the difference is supposed to be a running joke. There are, of course, a million deceptions, close calls, jealous mates and kidnapping attempts. A la ``Tootsie toot·sie n. Slang 1. Toots. 2. A girl or young woman. 3. or toot·sy A person's foot. [Origin unknown. ,'' both Copelands learn a thing or two about being better men - if not better undercover agents - from their time spent as women and hanging out with the Wilson sisters' neurotic friends (Busy Philipps is the least caricatured of this trio). Much mileage is attempted from the sight of supposed blond girls knocking down their rivals in insult contests and disco dance-offs. Bowel distress is a major motif. While everybody here is some kind of stereotype or another, most of the film's racial humor is likably light-footed; points are made with very little residual hostility (Latinos and gays, however, may wonder where the humanizing scenes for their folks went). Not quite this year's ``Bringing Down the House'' - it's not as consistently funny - ``White Chicks'' is still a classier act than the three Wayans' ``Scary Movie'' spoofs. And if Keenen is still as smart as he was back in the ``In Living Color'' day, the next thing he'll direct will be a star vehicle for Crews. Bob Strauss, (818) 713-3670 bob.strauss(at)dailynews.com WHITE CHICKS - Two and one half stars (PG-13: violence, language, drug use, bathroom humor) Starring: Shawn Wayans Shawn Wayans (SW1) (born January 19, 1971 in New York City, New York) is an American actor and comedian who starred in In Living Color and The Wayans Bros. He is the brother of Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans, Marlon Wayans, and Kim Wayans. , Marlon Wayans, Jaime King, Terry Crews, Busy Philipps, Faune Chambers, John Heard John Heard (born March 7, 1945 [1]) is an American actor. Biography Early life Heard was born in Washington, D.C. to John and Helen Heard.[2] He finished high school at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C. . Director: Keenen Ivory Wayans. Running time: 1 hr. 48 min. Playing: Wide release. In a nutshell: Sporadically hilarious cross-dressing, cross-racial comedy can be crude and insensitive but maintains a sweet-souled attitude. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Marlon, left, and Shawn Wayans go undercover - waaaay undercover - in ``White Chicks.'' |
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