Dicks: The Musical… Pass or Smash?

Last month, I was invited to a screening of Dicks: The Musical, the first musical from independent studio A24. Known for putting out high-quality, edgy material, the studio has developed a strong fanbase of both critics and audiences; when you see that A24 logo you know it’s a movie that’s going to affect you in some way. What to say about Dicks? I wanted to lead the review with three words but couldn’t decide on which. It was either WTF or I LOVED IT! Both work. Having to wait until the film was finally released, I can’t wait to spill the tea.

If you’re a fan of South Park, this is basically South Park LGBTQ style. It is irreverent, it is politically incorrect, it is over the top, it is shocking, it is sexually divergent, and yet, there is charm and joy in its queasiness. I smiled from start to finish, and it wasn’t because of the pre-movie drinks. The film is based on the off-Broadway musical Fucking Identical Twins by Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson – yes, that’s the title, and yes, it is literal.

The two masterminds behind that show reprised their roles and screen wrote the film. Josh and Aaron are truly ones to keep eyes on, they are destined to become the rebel-rousing gay version of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. How they were able to get Nathan Lane, Megan Mullally, Bowen Yang, and even a showstopping performance from Megan Thee Stallion, is beyond me. I can’t imagine anyone reading the script and thinking, “Wow, that makes sense.” But somehow it all makes sense, even down to the most random storyline, like a runaway vagina that comes to save the day. (Don’t ask.)

The story is simple enough, a blatant take on The Parent Trap, two business world adversaries (Josh and Aaron) find out they are identical twins (forget that they don’t look alike at all) and decide to switch places (by wearing Party City wigs) to get their estranged parents to reconnect. Their parents – a lisping, wheelchair-bound crazy pants of a mother (played by Mullally) and a foppish openly gay father (played by Lane) – reconnect after a date for the books and find out that they still have a spark for each other. Forget the fact that their mom is missing some of her lady parts and that her dad is clearly and proudly gay. Ah, fluid love. Will this family come together and become that picture-perfect image that the boys crave? Well, the family comes together, that’s for sure. Thrown in for good measure is Megan Thee Stallion as the two boys’ boss bitch in a musical number that every drag queen will no doubt add to their repertoire. Making appearances along the way is Bowen Yang as God…in hot pants and gay club gear. If you’re faint of heart in a religious way, you’ll probably want to leave before you hear him sing “God is a faggot.” Did I mention the Sewer Boys? Inexplicably, the father character has become guardian to two sewer creatures that he keeps in a cage in his living room. (Again, don’t ask… it still makes sense.)

Holding their own against the veteran cast they are surrounded by, Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson hold their own. They come across as industry vets themselves, despite their limited film appearances. They master the art of evoking pathos even through their hyper-stylized comedic characters. But the smartest casting I have seen in a while comes from the pairing up of Mullally and Lane as the love-locked parents. Obviously, they are masters of comedy from stage to screen, and all of their talents come together in an embarrassment of riches. They do steal the film, from Megan’s lisp (that could otherwise be a cheap and overused trick) to Nathan’s jazz hands, to their singing that ranges from genre to genre. This is not a film where actors are cast and can barely squeak out the songs, these actors can SING! Their chemistry is palpable, and you can literally see the glimmer in their eyes as actors having the time of their life. They are tearing up the scenery and winking at us (and each other) the whole time. The songs are enjoyable and toe-tapping, just not sure what kind of life span they have beyond the storyline.

The chemistry you see on screen was seen in person at the screening I attended that included in-person attendance by the entire lead cast (minus Thee Stallion). They were all like a pack of cool kids in high school, hugging and laughing with each other, and earnestly watching the film they had made. They clearly enjoyed working together, and what they have made is a naughty basement musical turned Hollywood glam.

The film is full of LGBTQ themes and hot buttons, but not in reverence. What the conservative side makes fun of us for is all there. Sexualizing our culture, making God gay, and making the entire movie “woke,” it’s all there. The entire movie’s message is to love who you want to, even if it’s a sewer monster. Making a film like this when the political conservatives are attacking our community based on sexuality, criminalizing us as perverts, is ballsy. But if we don’t continue to push the envelope, will we get anywhere? What I absolutely loved about this film is that we can just sit back and laugh at our current situation. There is plenty of content out there that makes political and social statements about our community that are usually delivered heavy-handed or deeply emotional and dramatic. This is a comedic middle finger to all those against us, and it is delicious. Comedy often pokes fun at the drama around us, and this film does it magically.

Smash or pass? It was a laugh per minute, I left the movie theater smiling from ear to ear. But it is not for everyone. With those in our community ready to lash out at each other, I’m sure this film will get plenty of haters because it is so irreverent. But everyone needs to take a chill pill and remember that yes, our community can be naughty, we can be sassy, and we can certainly bring humor to any situation. Have a couple of cocktails, go see the film, have a few laughs, and let me know what you think.

VERDICT: SMASH