Jump to the good stuff: The Story | Some Thoughts | The Final Verdict
The Story:
Chrissy Judy is about a thirtysomething drag queen forced to reinvent himself in the face of diversity. It depicts gay life and relationships in a way that’s honest and surprisingly touching.
Chrissy (Wyatt Fenner) and Judy (Todd Flaherty) are New York City drag queens in their thirties who have been performing together for years. They’ve been together so long personally and professionally that they’ve become inseparable.
While hanging out with friends on Fire Island, Chrissy texts his boyfriend, who lives in Philidelphia, and Judy gets annoyed with him. The friends make a joke about Chrissy and Judy being co-dependent, to which Chrissy insists they’re not and Judy says that Chrissy isn’t going anywhere, then winks at him.
Later that evening, after a drag performance, Chrissy tells Judy that he’s going to leave the act and move in with his boyfriend. Judy is beside himself, confused and upset. What follows is a terse exchange.
Lost and unsure of how to perform solo, Judy wanders back to the city. He tries to carry on with his life, but how can he do that when he no longer understands who he is? Judy has two options, reinvent himself or burn out in a fit of misplaced rage.
Some Thoughts:
Despite being set in the present, Chrissy Judy is shot like a classic movie you would see on TCM. Even the soundtrack harkens back to yesteryear. The black and white visuals and music fit the mood and story, even if it’s not entirely clear why such a choice was made. And honestly, it doesn’t matter because it works.
Chrissy and Judy are well defined in the opening scene, when Judy strolls into Chrissy’s retail job to ask him to leave work early. The banter between the two men cements their identities and the rest of the film builds off it.
Chrissy Judy would fall apart if it didn’t have a well written script and good leading actors to make you believe it. Flaherty and Fenner have chemistry and an understanding of the nuances of gay friendships. Their interactions are dramatic at times, tender at others, and never ring false.
Although Judy is a mess by nature, watching him unravel and self-destruct is sad. Judy’s childish antics and lashing out repel everybody around him, even some of his closest friends. And as uncomfortable as it can be to watch, you can’t help but hope that Judy will pull himself together.
Chrissy Judy is not a perfect film, but it comes damn close. It’s delightful, campy, funny, and sad. The story is timeless and holds your attention. And sometimes, that’s all a film needs to do.
The Final Verdict:
Chrissy Judy is a great film about love, friendship, and identity that should not be missed. Todd Flaherty, who wrote, directed, and stars in the film, handles the messy subject with compassion and honesty.
