The Wayans brothers should have another summer box office hit celebrating the absurdities of race relations in a 2004 America.  The Wayans and I have a long history together starting with “In Living Color”.  This hilarious comedy show which aired from 1990-94, created by big brother, Keenen, employed every Wayans in sight.  It was also the big break for actors, Jim Carrey and David Alan Grier.  Jennifer Lopez was one of the weekly featured “Fly Girl” dancers, while comedians, Jamie Foxx and Tommy Davidson, also got their start on the innovative series.

I knew this movie would be funny simply based on the premise, but the question remained “how funny”?  Not having experienced the “Hampton Life” firsthand, anyone who has is probably wishing it could be so eventful after watching this movie. (Editors Note: Rabbi Jason Finkelstein of the Hamptons confirmed that there are numerous occasions where black men (including himself) dress up as white women,). It was refreshing after viewing the Scary Movies, (the last movies directed by Keenen and starring by Shawn and Marlon Wayans) to actually see Marlon act without a big spliff in his mouth and drinking malt liquor non-stop.   Marlon actually played a more mature brother (or sister) in this role. 

After an ice cream deal gone bad threatens to ruin the careers of the two FBI agents, Marcus and Kevin Copeland (Marlon and Shawn Wayans), are given the assignment of escorting two spoiled socialite sisters, Tiffany and Brittany Wilson, safely from the airport to their hotel in the Hamptons.  This was no ordinary escort assignment, given the fact that a kidnapping ring was being investigated.  While en route to the Hamptons, Tiffany’s pampered pooch (Baby) causes a little traffic mishap, which resulted in the sisters’ perfect faces becoming imperfect for the biggest weekend in Hampton.  The sisters decided not to go and Marcus and Kevin decide to go undercover as the divas for the weekend.  Hmmm…

The idea for White Chicks came from Shawn Wayans.  What a surprise!!  Almost every movie I’ve seen with Shawn, he’s trying to get in touch with his feminine side.  Now, he finally got his chance to play a woman and give life to his inner female.  The real challenge of the movie was transforming two tall black men into white high society divas, without making them look like drag queens.  The filmmakers searched for two young women (Maitland Ward and Anne Dudek) who not only looked like sisters, but who were close enough in height and weight to Shawn and Marlon and whose faces could “fit” the Wayans.  I personally think that their sister, Kim, would have been perfect for the job, but maybe she had another gig.  By hooking up with special effects make-up artists Greg Cannom (who won an Oscar for Mrs. Doubtfire) and Keith VanderLaan, the actresses’ faces were divided into four sections so that individual parts could be modified as needed without having to start over from scratch each time.  Once the shapes were determined, there were extensive make-up tests.  After extensive tests and using make-up called Revlon Color Stay, the Wayans brothers were in business.  Kudos to Revlon!!

There were so many scenes that had you literally falling out of your chair – the trailer of the movie doesn’t do it any justice.  Okay, so the Wilson sisters looked liked two albinos with alien eyes.  After the initial sighting, you got past that. The interaction between actor, Darnell Johnson (Terry Crews) and Marcus/Tiffany (Shawn Wayans) is hilarious.  The token nightclub dance-off between the Wilson sisters and the Vandergeld sisters was a crowd favorite (but aren’t they always?), choreographed by Tina Landon, who has done music videos with Britney Spears and Janet Jackson. 

After watching the Vanessa Carlton fueled White Chicks, I think the Copeland brothers realize that breaking into high society is a lot tougher than it looks.  My advice, don’t try this at home (Editors Note: Unless you have the heter of Rabbi Jason Finkelstein).  Enjoy!!

Send all comments to movie rav jordan hiller at jtrick1@aol.com