Lately I haven't had the want to search through streaming services and Google searches for something to watch. I have mentioned more interest in watching television shows lately over anything more. Though recently I remembered White Chicks by the Wayans, this is a film I have seen before, but I couldn't remember a single thing about. I must have seen it at a much younger age. I have seen a lot of films by the Wayans family, even some of their worst films that came about around the same time as terrible parody films. However, I have to admit that the films by the Wayans can actually be pretty funny, and quite likely to generate a few laughs from you even if those types of films aren't quite your thing. In my case, I really love dumb humour. I think I'm generally a very easy person to make laugh and see humour in the slightest of things, so a rewatch of White Chicks seemed very fitting alongside a person that had never seen it before.
I think White Chicks is a pretty interesting film to look at these days, especially in the weird era of cultural representation and odd fragility that results in people finding problems in everything. This is a film that could easily offend, and definitely would offend if the idea was reversed. But in this idea comes a mockery of ourselves; I have mentioned in prior reviews how I feel it is important that people manage to laugh at themselves, to not take themselves so seriously and to, well, loosen up a little. It seems that we get less and less films and television shows like this as the film industry oddly tightens its grip around the idea of representation and political themes. The interesting thing is, is that White Chicks ended up being a universally loved film because it's funny. It handles race in different manners, picking fun at stereotypes and expectations, not taking any sides with any of it, and I can't help but praise this stupid little film for this.
While I am someone that avoids the news and politics as much as possible, it's even more annoying to find it shoved into my face during my attempts of escapism from the chaos of the world. Films, old and new, that can handle certain themes while removing the idea of taking sides and making very blatant points are almost a priority for me. White Chicks wanted to make me laugh, and it did it. Therefore it is good! Pretty simple, right? I guess the review can end here...
White Chicks
With the height of the buddy cop genre already a thing of the last, White Chicks revives the idea with a slight twist: two black police officers attempt to infiltrate a crime syndicate from within by taking on the appearance of two white girls. That is to say they completely change their appearances, dressing up as rich white girls from the early 2000s, covering their bodies with a white skin tone and even going as far as attempting to learn the lingo of a highly generic American upper class white girl. While this is the film's main idea, much of the film is actually about the process and the comedic elements that come as a result of their attempts to learn and fit in. For us, the audience, part of the humour is that their characters look absolutely horrific. They're in makeup, in women's clothing, and masked up in some strange horror show looking faces. To some degree, it looks as if they're peeled the faces of another person off and place them on their own. Despite appearances clearly being a red flag, the characters don't seem to acknowledge this, and everyone seems to fall for the ruse.
The comedy really does come from men learning of the world from a female's perspective. It's a totally different world to them, and as police officers, they also have to reject their way of life to pursue a believable character. This includes hanging around other women as part of their plans to infiltrate and gather intelligence. Since this is a secret mission, the men also can't tell their own loved ones, leading to more comedic moments and some drama as their personal lives take a few hits as a result of their odd behaviour, as well as hard to explain moments such as wearing makeup or having some women's clothing around. But for the most part, this film really is just comedy. I think it handles all of the comedy really well, in fact. It has been a very long time since I last saw this and I really didn't remember it being this enjoyable. The ways the characters interact with each other made me laugh quite a bit, especially in regards to how these two black cops have to attempt to be white girls in voice also. Sometimes their characters break as they lose patience, throwing out some very manly words or gestures. One scene in particular being getting catcalled and then attempting to fight the guy in the street, with a strong deep voice.
Much of the film is essentially like this: the characters getting into what could be considered various awkward interactions to which they have to attempt to find their ways through in a believable manner. Sometimes they don't even try and the unaware characters sort of just accept their weirdness. A character performed by Terry Crews is one, who did a great job effectively playing himself as he always does. These interactions make up the film, so much so that you sort of forget that there is actually a main story to the film regarding the crime syndicate they're attempting to catch red handed, but you don't really need to care for it. It's sort of the bridge that connects the whole idea together that gives it justification, and it's easy to just ignore and enjoy the rest of the film. I do think that watching it today, it almost does capture the essence of an era quite well. It holds a very early 2000s feel to it culturally. I quite like it for that, even in the fashion it screams MTV and Paris Hilton influence.
I think the Wayans did a great job with the film, managing to handle the clashing of cultures and the societal norm of the era, poking fun at the whole idea. As expected, some of the jokes are very low bar, toilet humour and such. But that's to be expected when it comes to the Wayans. They have no fears and don't shy away from trying to use the cheapest jokes imaginable. What matters, though, is how they're done and what is sprinkled inbetween these jokes. With a film near two hours, I think it paced itself well and utilised jokes of varying types quite well. It actually made me quite nostalgic for these sorts of films, perhaps reviving some of that want to watch full length features again.
I'd be surprised if you haven't heard of this film or seen it before, but if you haven't, check it out! It's one of their better films.
