Earlier than Dicks: The Musical unfurls its fucked up model of The Mum or dad Entice, three title playing cards give this raunchy song-and-dance fest some context. It was written by two homosexual males, who’re taking part in straight males within the film, and sure — the title card informs us — that is “very courageous” of them.
It was at this second I assumed I’d simply love this film. At first look Dicks: The Musical would possibly appear like a bro-down between two misogynist women’ males who uncover they’re long-lost twins. Nevertheless it’s really a cruel and maniacal parody of the sorts of fratty comedy that deal with ladies as nags, T&A, or punchlines. That is not all, both. On prime of mocking that arguably cringe nook of straight tradition, Dicks goes arduous at satirizing queer tradition, looping in musical theater, f-bombs, a number of intercourse montages, and sewer boys.
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Wait — what’s Dicks: The Musical about?
Writers/actors/homosexuals Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson have tailored their off-Broadway musical Fucking Equivalent Twins right into a gobsmackingly gonzo film musical. On the helm is Larry Charles, who’s finest recognized for his collaborations with Larry David (Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm) and Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat, Bruno, The Dictator).
Dicks: The Musical facilities on two “alpha males,” who sling big penises, bang ladies usually, and are prime salesmen at an organization that sells robotic vacuum components. However there is a gap they’ll by no means fill — till they uncover they’re “fucking an identical twins.” (Do they appear like twins? No. However for those who’re getting hung up on that — Dicks is not the film for you.)
Upon discovering their father and mom divorced and every took a child to lift solo and separate from their twin, the brothers resolve to attempt to trick their dad and mom (Nathan Lane and Megan Mullally) into falling in love once more. That approach they’re going to be a “actual household.” There are only a few issues: their dad has simply come out as homosexual and their mother is a deeply eccentric shut-in. Additionally, there are sewer boys.
Dicks: The Musical is brazen and completely bonkers.
That is an unrelenting explosion of comedy. Sharp and Jackson swing large and broad, becoming each their Dumb and Dumber-fashion jokes and the musical theater track numbers. Jackson specifically remembers ’90s-era Jim Carrey together with his rubber-faced mugging and eccentric elocution. There’s additionally gross-out gags, provocative punchlines, juvenile nudity, and Bowen Yang as a homosexual and glam God, who drops iconoclastic jokes that had the group on the TIFF World Premiere completely screaming with laughter. Becoming a member of this ensemble in mocking the archetype “alpha males” is Megan Thee Stallion in a supporting function that’s fierce and fiercely humorous, climaxing in a rap quantity that is wild enjoyable.
To Jackson and Sharp’s credit score, each track in Dicks is hilarious, jam-packed with so many jokes that the film calls for repeat viewing to catch all of them. Nevertheless it’s a stroke of brilliance to usher in Broadway stars Mullally and Lane for a number of songs. Throwing on a trove of style equipment and a lisp, Mullally makes a meal of wacky lyrics — and even turns her uncanny capability to carry a notice right into a punchline. In the meantime, Lane — who stole scenes earlier this yr as a plucky papa in one other A24 film Beau is Afraid — offers his all, committing to bit after bit — and spit after spit!
“There are new kings on the town, they usually’re Dicks”
A scandalous sendup of queer tradition is woven all through, in every thing from parody Broadway posters (My Queer Woman! Lube!) to Yang’s drama-craving God. However Lane’s track quantity about how homosexual tradition connects to the creepy blood-chugging, mind-reading critters he retains caged in his house is a standout on this satire. In a profession of very good comedy, he is in prime kind right here, and seemingly having a hoot!
And that is not all. Dicks additionally boasts jokes a few purposefully complicated setting, combining components like classic footage of New York Metropolis with flip telephones and exterior studio units that willfully appear like Los Angeles to poke each sort of enjoyable attainable. Charles even consists of takes the place his forged breaks, laughing out of character on the mayhem taking part in out earlier than them. And you understand what? It is charming. These included slip-ups give the movie an infusion of spontaneity that displays its theater roots. And it makes it really feel like we’re all invited to understand how really, really nuts this film is. As outtakes roll over the tip credit, we’re welcomed additional into the membership, cackling together with Lane as he marvels on the indignity he is committing to 1 mouthful of ham at a time.
I really like, love, love this film that dares to be this willfully silly, gross, and gleefully outrageous. I laughed so arduous my face nonetheless hurts. I left the theater drop-jawed that this film bought made in any respect. Like Bottoms and Problemista, Dicks: The Musical is a queer comedy that refuses to play it protected for mainstream audiences. For many years, straight bros cornered comedy with giddily offensive films filled with dumb jokes. However there are new kings on the town, they usually’re Dicks.
Dicks: The Musical was reviewed out its world premiere at 2023’s Toronto Worldwide Movie Competition. Dicks: The Musical opens in theaters Sept. 29.
