Sh*t & Champagne

Shit & Champagne is a rollicking comedy-action flick from D'Arcy Drollinger, presented in all its wild and wacky glory. Released in 2020, this bundle of amusement is more than just another film; it's an experience that urges viewers to embrace its absurdity while simultaneously basking in the sardonic wit and campy humor of its script. Written and directed by Drollinger, who also plays the lead role, the film emerges as a potent cocktail of fun, spice, and all things less-than-nice set in the colorful era of the 1970s.

In Shit & Champagne, Drollinger plays the spirited Champagne Horowitz Jones Dickerson White, a stripper on a curious path that diverges rather wildly from her sultry occupation. When she loses her fiance and brother to an unfortunate accident, Champagne isn't the type of woman to sit back and drown in her sorrows. Instead, she opts to dive headfirst into the dark underbelly of the city, determined to unveil the sinister plot that cost her loved one's lives. Her adventure is tinged with a steely determination, but Drollinger also infuses her role with a significant dose of hilarity, ensuring that the laughter never dies down even as the tension escalates.

Adding to the ensemble is Matthew Martin, whose portrayal of a prim and proper store manager complements the bold and brassy Champagne. Seton Brown is cast as a philandering undercover agent whose charm and glamour only serve to further complicate Champagne's twisted tale. The eccentric characters, committed performances, and vibrant time-period aesthetics combine to create a memorable ride through champagne-laced laughter and shit-stained adversity.

While the movie combines several genres, it primarily channels the spirit of an old-school action comedy, replete with elaborate chase sequences, slapstick humor, over-the-top villainy, and glaring plot holes that just add to its charm. The 1970s setting provides an appealing backdrop, replete with outrageous costumes, extravagant sets, and disco-flavored soundtracks. The film's pacing, as effervescent as Champagne herself, ensures that the plot rarely slows and the humor remains constant.

The physical comedy is outlandishly hilarious and well-timed, showing Drollinger's grasp over the genre. The intricate dance of comic timing is masterfully played out scene after scene. The humor is definitely for an adult audience, pulling no punches in its approach to sexual innuendo, crude moments, and some gleefully ridiculous gore. Still, the film somehow maintains an enjoyable soft-heartedness amidst all the chaos.

Shit & Champagne showcases an array of diverse characters, a vocal antidote to the homogeneity often seen in popular cinema. As a drag queen herself, Drollinger successfully broadens the narrative space to include more queer characters. The film’s representation is tastefully assured, not overshadowing the plot but working in harmony with it, making this movie an important addition to LGBTQ+ cinema.

A significant aspect of Drollinger’s film is its ability to mock and pay homage to iconic 70’s tropes simultaneously. The fashion aesthetics and vivid color palettes are a sight for sore eyes, and its mise en scéne harks back to the campy essence of the bygone era.

In essence, Shit & Champagne is an audacious, joyous cinematic spectacle. Drollinger in the dual role of the writer-director-star delivers a film that is as cheeky as it is heartfelt. Hilarious, outrageous, and delightfully chaotic, the film is a loving nod to the 1970s farces while marking a significant moment for drag queen artists stepping into mainstream movie spaces. It’s a comedic roller coaster that embraces its insanity, ridiculousness, and style with unabashed fervor, resulting in a boisterous must-see experience. All in all, Shit & Champagne is a film for those who don't take life too seriously and love to have a laugh with a side of action, camp, and plenty of sparkling wit.