Not too long ago (10 years, a month and a day-before-yesterday) I might have been “too cool” to have paid attention to subjects such as the Topp Twins, but through this documentary, Linda and Jools Topp have won me over and they could very likely win you over, too. I hadn’t heard of the New Zealand cultural treasures, but they have won New Zealand’s Best Country Album twice, routinely sell out shows and have produced a couple-dozen mainstream comedy television shows.
For over 30 years the Topp’s have performed country music, political commentary and comedy and won over audiences of conservative farmers and miners, urban sophisticates and anachronistic youth. As renowned musician Billy Bragg points out, “Political bands can really wallop an audience and leave them numb, but the Topps are more of an anarchist variety act.” The twins are unpretentious, unashamed, welcoming and kind-hearted. Equally inviting is the genuine enthusiasm of their audiences. Nobody is shielding the ears of children from these farm-raised “yodeling lesbian twins.”
Irrepressibly political, the twins have been in the thick of activism and civil disobedience concerning apartheid, decriminalization of homosexuality and nuclear disarmament. Their approach is to utilize charm and wit to break down barriers. Perhaps the attitude that breaks through most often, whether busking, headlining a rally or performing in a large theater, is “we’re in agreement.” They are incredible leaders and audiences are happy to follow along.
Out of the blue, the Topps will inject a joke: “Why can’t lesbians wear makeup to Weight Watchers? You can’t eat Jenny Craig with Estee Lauder on your face.” GOTCHA. The audience climbs aboard their good time express.
Their army of comedic characters range from Ken and Ken – middle-aged men whom audiences adopt as friends, losing sight that they are two women – to Dilly and Prue (the Ramsbottom sisters), an “absolutely fabulous” pair of serial socializers. Audiences howl as they harmlessly skewer social types. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Kiwi cocktail toast “Chuckers old girl” becomes popular with those who see this film.
The documentary The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls is packed with recent and historic footage of their very well-documented lives. It’s safe to say Leanne Pooley’s film delivers a mega-dose of Topp Twins; but instead of cloying, the film feels like a huge comfortable chair … with a kitten or puppy in your lap.
Very personal revelations and family history are freely shared, without earth-shaking gravity. The twins recall seeing a group of women who were lesbians, then thinking, “We’re quite a bit like them, we must be lesbian.” They talk about how their parents have always been supportive and accepting, but when their brother turned out to be gay, their folks honestly admit: “It was hard realizing we wouldn’t have grand children.” There is never a doubt that mom and pop Topp love their kids.
This documentary is energetic, endearing, hilarious and heartwarming. In this era where insults and harsh pranks pass for comedy, it’s a relief to find two successful performers who seem not to have a mean thought between them.
Grade: B+
The film screens June 10 – 16 at the Denver FilmCenter/Colfax, information available at www.denverfilm.org or by calling 303-595-3456.
