Hurricane Bianca: From Russia with Hate
- Director: Matt Kugelman
- Writer: Derek Hartley; Matt Kugelman
- Producer: Ash Christian; Molly M. Mayeux
CGiii Comment
As much as we love Bianca...aaargh! WTF happened!
The writing, that's what happened...or, to be more precise, the lack of...
When it comes to doing a drag extravaganza, plausibility is not an issue. Slap-plastered, big wig-wearing men-in-frocks can and do make salient political asides...but, to base a whole film around a political situation - homophobic Russia no less, on a budget - was nothing but an insane and inane idea.
In order to pull off such a premise [with a limited budget], the writing had to be top notch...with scathing shards of condemnation, an acidic vitriol on Russian [repressed & homophobic] society...coupled with illuminating insights and sucker-punches aplenty.
Hartley & Kugelman's writing is - simply - bereft of any punch. Indeed, there are a few fine one-liners scattered hither and thither...and, Bianca does her best with such threadbare material. As for her sidekick Rex [Doug Plaut]...well, let's just say he fared less better...coming across as an intensely annoying little drip!
The warmth and familiarity seen in the first film is gone...bring Bianca back home, give her great material...and, let her do what she does best!
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
After winning over the staff and students of Milford High School, chemistry teacher Richard Martinez aka Bianca Del Rio (Roy Haylock) sent her nemesis Vice Principal Deborah “Debbie" Ward (Rachel Dratch) to jail in a flawlessly executed plan. When Debbie is released from jail, she conjures up a scheme to do away with Bianca Del Rio once and for all, by luring her on a dangerous journey to Russia to accept a teaching award and cash prize. Filled with laughs, celebrity cameos and America’s drag superstars, HURRICANE BIANCA: FROM RUSSIA WITH HATE is packed with surprises and unlikely partnerships that spark friendship and acceptance.
Cast & Characters
Roy Haylock as Bianca Del Rio;
Alicia Goranson as Angela Jo;
Kristen Johnston as Roksana;
Dot Jones as Svetlana;
Rachel Dratch as Deborah;
Wanda Sykes as Prison Matron;
D.J. 'Shangela' Pierce as Stephen;
Katya Zamolodchikova as Katya;
Heather McDonald as Beverly Ann;
Jasson Finney as Russian Prison Guard;
Matthew Camp as Security Guard;
Doug Plaut as Rex;
Sally Jessy Raphael as Herself;
James Zeiss as Russian Prison Guard;
Sara Harman as Student