Order this DVD from Amazon.com

I was not looking forward to Connie and Carla. Even just the idea of the movie made me cringe. Something about Nia Vardalos rubs me the wrong way. I can't quite put my finger on it - but there she is - rubbing. She's just so...awkward. I know, that's part of her charm, but I don't like it. So, it was with some trepidation that I slipped this one into my DVD player. And as I suspected, in the first few minutes of the movie there she was - and I was grinding my teeth. I couldn't believe I was in for this for the next 100-plus minutes. But then something strange happened. I began to like it. And the more I watched, the more glued I was to the screen. The story and the music had me hooked to the point that I even forgot who I was watching. Now that, ladies and gentlemen, is an accomplishment.

Connie and Carla is the story of two wannabe lounge singers. Alright, they're actually lounge singers, but they are just very unsuccessful at being lounge singers. So, one night their boss slips a kg of cocaine into their possession when he's catching some heat from some local gangsters. Later that night, the girls witness said gangster shooting their boss. They scream, get spotted and head out on the run, ending up in California. Once in LA, they visit a local bar which turns out to be a bar for transvestites (men who dress as women). It turns out the bar's singing act is heading to the Vegas looking for fame and fortune, opening the door for a new act. So, Connie and Carla pretend to be men dressed as women and they successfully audition for the gig. Soon, their show is the hottest ticket in LA. But, it's not long before they are tracked down by the gangster. And so the story goes.

The movie started slow, but before long, I was swept up by the comedy and the singing/dancing routines. There were moments where I stilled cringed, and there were other moments where I was distracted by either Nia Vardalos' nose or Toni Collette's teeth, but other than that, I really enjoyed it. I'm big enough to admit that I really underestimated this movie.

There are plenty of special features included with this DVD. They include some deleted scenes and bonus musical numbers, both of which are individually introduced by director Michael Lembeck, about six minutes worth of outtakes, a making-of featurette titled "Backstage with Connie and Carla" with your standard behind the scenes clips and interviews with the cast and crew, a brief "Dressing in Drag" featurette looking at the film's costumes and makeup and another feature looking at Debbie Reynolds and her participation in the film. The features are concluded by a rather fun and informative feature-length commentary with Lembeck and Vardalos.

Who would have thought that a song and dance movie with transvestites and Nia Vardalos was my thing? Should I seek help? Probably not. Despite the fact that this movie pretty much bombed with audiences, it's not a bad movie. If you're a little open-minded and can talk your guy friends into it, this one is worth checking out. Or if you can't talk your guy friends into it, at least it will make a fun girls-night-out.