Britney Spears has dominated the youth market with her music and image projected nearly every minute of every day for all to see. Entertainment lovers with a few years behind them see her as a talented young lady but nowhere near the talent that performers of the past have had. We can only hope that she matures into the real thing instead of the manufactured image she seems today. Don’t misunderstand; I enjoy some of her music. But the fact is more concerted effort is put forth into her image than her talent.
That being said, I popped in BRITNEY BABY ONE MORE TIME with a tad bit of hesitation. A movie about Spears without Spears? Worse yet, a movie about Spears starring a female impersonator? What are the odds that this movie would be entertaining to watch? Well it turns out my gut feelings were all wrong.
The first clue that this movie had a chance was the fact that its main character, no not Britney but director Dude Schmitz is portrayed by Mark Borchardt. Those who aren’t familiar with him should check out a film called AMERICAN MOVIE, a documentary about his trying to make a film (which he did) called COVEN on no or little money.
This movie stars Borchardt as a director trying to raise money to make his new movie. As he is about to go on the air at a local Minnesota station, the news director has a brilliant idea when his star reporter is tied up at a cheese fire. Send Borchardt, a local celebrity, out to interview Britney Spears, a national celebrity. Armed with a Winnebago full of equipment and a satellite link up, Borchardt and his crew head out. But when he asks the burning question that everyone wants to know (are they real?) he is tossed out on his ear.
Also tossed out by the maniacal road manager is Robert (Angel Benton), a female impersonator who won a Britney look-alike contest. But since he is a female impersonator, he is tossed out on his ear.
At a local restaurant, down because he will end up not getting paid for the interview, money that was to help finance at least a portion of his new film, Borchardt and crew are stunned when Britney walks in and sits down next to them, crying. Yes, this is not Britney at all but Robert who tells them his story.
You can almost see the light bulb glow over Borchardt’s head as he comes up with a plan. He convinces Robert that they are on their way to interview the real Britney at her next stop in New Orleans and wants him to come with them. In reality, he plans on using interviews of Robert to send to the station as exclusive footage. Off they go on the road, camera in hand and wig on head.
The adventures that this rag tag team has along the way become hilarious at times and interesting at others. “Britney” saves a woman and her young daughter from a car wreck, a picture of it ending up in some gossip rag. “Britney” has a run in with a group of truck drivers in a fine establishment (one of the many with an EAT sign out front) that is one of the funniest things you will see.
All of this happens as the trek to New Orleans moves forward. Along the way, the crew begins to see Robert for who he truly is while Dude Does little more than focus on his own project and how to come up with money for it, never considering how he is using Robert.
The movie offers a few laughs, a few moments that speak about who people really are behind the masks that they choose to wear and makes fun of a culture that worships an image so much that they are willing to allow themselves to believe that the person in front of them is the idol they worship even when it isn’t.
The acting is not some of the best ever found but that is part of the charm of a movie like this. It features an original idea with a casts that is more filled with the charm of making movies than of seeking an Oscar. They give it their best but it doesn’t make it the best. In particular is Mike Schank (who was also a part of AMERICAN MOVIE) as Dude’s hapless brother who seems continually lost in the ozone.
If you’re looking for the regular Hollywood blockbuster, then this movie isn’t for you. But if you are looking for something a little bit different that gives you a few laughs along the way, then check this one out.
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