The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls (2009) User Reviews

Fascinating and Entertaining

[proud_luddite · 8/10 · 21 March 2021]

This New Zealand documentary exposes the lives and careers and Lynda and Jules Topp, superstars in their home country for their country singing and comedy routines. They're also openly lesbian, activists on many causes, and they live on a farm as they did when they grew up.

The above description has so many apparent contradictions that I had to see this movie. There is so much to like about these women and the principles by which they live. Here are some examples:

• many good causes including anti-discrimination laws, aboriginal land claims, and nuclear disarmament.

• using humour, friendliness, and inclusion to draw in middle-of-the-road voters during a debate for a bill that would outlaw discrimination against gays and lesbians.

• staying true to their roots by entertaining rural audiences while still being out lesbians.

• also staying true to their roots by refusing to "update" themselves to be more palatable to audiences in the US or England.

The footage of their careers goes back to the early 1980s. The film also has a moving turn when the family must deal with cancer.

Overall, the fun spirit is what moves this film. Even the names of some of their characters can cause a laugh. Imagine a pair of hoity-toity rich sisters named Prue and Dilly Ramsbottom.

Very entertaining. - dbamateurcritic.

An Exemplary Documentary with a Great Subject

[Wendell Walker · 10/10 · 16 May 2009]

The older I get, the more moved I am by people who perfectly express who they are. The Topp Twins are "New Zealand icons": yodelling lesbian comic singers with (as one show-biz type acknowledges) zero commercial prospects but who are nonetheless approaching three decades into a career as peerless audience-pleasers with perfect entertainment pitch. This film tells the story (including the Topps' key role in the repeal of sodomy laws in NZ just by being more fun than the opposition) with no frills but enormous heart.

But wait! You also get: the funniest lesbian joke I've ever heard. (Hope that's not a spoiler)

The audience applauded at the end as if it was a live concert.

[bellaella-1 · 10/10 · 31 August 2009]

I am a big fan of the documentary genre but I would not have chosen to see this film. I didn't know a great deal about the Topp Twins and I wasn't that interested. I went because my 60 year old mother wanted to see it. I am very glad that she did. I think this is one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. I was immediately engaged in the story and I found the Twins themselves to be inspirational. I enjoyed the music, laughed out loud, cried a little and came away feeling a better person simply for having spent an hour and a half with these two wonderful women. And I wasn't the only one who responded in this way. I have never before been to a film where the audience clapped along with the music and applauded at the end as if they were at a live concert. I honestly enjoyed every minute.

good Kiwi stuff

[leighcatley · 9/10 · 27 May 2009]

A great documentary - well balanced mixture of interviews, performances, old news clips ... Just so easy to watch and enjoy. And I was on a plane ... Doesn't really feel like a documentary in places, because the story of these sisters' lives is so entertaining, both the good bits and the sad bits. Well done to director Leanne Pooley and everyone else who helped put this tribute together. Everyone from the sisters themselves, their parents, partners, colleagues and friends. I'm only writing this to fill up the space, but it did make me feel good to see such a high quality, warm-hearted and totally Kiwi tribute to a totally Kiwi legend like the Topp Twins.

The finest bit of light documentary you will ever find.

[tom-1606 · 9/10 · 26 August 2009]

Having seen the Topps only in concert here in Australia before I knew a little about them, but this open and warm documentary gives you an insight into a career that has spanned more than thirty years, just being themselves. They poke fun at everyone, themselves included, but the love shows through. The mixture of music, old footage and interviews kept the pace moving thought the film.

Get the DVD if you can, it has a heap of extras that were all just as good as what was in the film, but of course would have made it so long it would have never had a release.

My hats off the the twins, and especially their parents, if all gay and lesbian children had parents like this it would be a much better world for everyone.

as powerful as any cinema classic - but entirely true

[jvframe · 10/10 · 13 December 2009]

To anyone who for whatever reason has doubts they'll enjoy the Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls film:

All you need is a sense of humour - because I stress this isn't a regurgitation of their TV show sketches. It's a story of the very interesting lives of two women who've been unflinchingly out and proud as activists and entertainers since the early 70's. There's no other person on the planet who is remotely like them - and only a few who could hope to match them for courage and commitment as equal rights activists. They fought on the front line for gay rights, indigenous rights and against apartheid (at the Springbok demonstrations) - and they gave their comrades a much needed emotional lift.

The film combines pristine archival footage with songs from a recent retrospective concert and comments from people who know them well - including celebrity associates such as Billy Bragg, Mark Trevorrow and John Clarke.

"Untouchable Girls" will do a power of good by inspiring and empowering any viewer to fight for what they believe in - and to value and enjoy each day and the truly good things in life.

Whatever your gender or sexual preference, I firmly believe that the vast majority of viewers will find "The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls" to be richly rewarding. It is very classy cinematography with an effect as powerful as any cinema classic - but with the distinct advantage of being entirely true.

A unique globally relevant and first class documentary, and one of the very best feature films I've seen.

Not actually about the twins at all.

[hieronymusdiamondback · 2/10 · 31 October 2012]

The Topp Twins are accomplished musical stylists, episodically gifted songwriters, respectable cultural commentators and excruciatingly dreadful comedians, but that's not why this movie was made. It's actually a sort of socio-political pornography aimed squarely at existing fans. The purpose of this movie is essentially to allow people who've never knowingly met a lesbian and don't know which end of a sheep to feed to feel smug about liking and hating all the right things - hooray agrarian sensibilities and homosexual law reform, boo 1981 tours and nuclear ships. The Twins seem all too happy to contribute to this, not even complaining when the editors fade out their most lovely song, "Milestones", in favor of an interview where they congratulate each other for being so humble as to not use limousines on tour. We do eventually learn the real reason these girls are untouchable - they're lightning rods for the conceits and enthusiasms of New Zealand's suburban, heterosexual, middle-class liberal establishment - but that reason is nothing much to be proud of.

Laughs from belly and heart

[cobi-2 · 10/10 · 29 August 2009]

Rarely have I been so moved that I roared with laughter, tears obscuring the screen. No-one objected as everyone was also in such a joyous mood. Mind you, there could have been a few tears for the tough times, but somehow these girls just let you enjoy their triumph over adversity. This is a documentary that feels like a good movie script with superb actors. Damn, they are good! How often does one instinctively clap the credits? This is a winner, believe me, no matter where you live. The twins are unique international comedians of the first order and have been directed with the lightest of touches so bringing forth all their artistry. A rare and great combination. Thank you all.

Not to be missed!

[vihunter · 10/10 · 2 June 2011]

What a great movie this is! If you like to be entertained and have a good laugh, you will like this movie. It is a very interesting tale of two remarkable Kiwi women who are identical twins. It charts their lives from early years growing up on a farm, their involvement in New Zealand's political and social issues of the times, and their rise to fame on the national and international stage. The subjects are likable and down to earth, and funny and spirited. They have an amazing joyous attitude throughout everything, and the audience can feel this. The singing of the twins is also great, with beautiful harmonies. It is presented in a straight forward and simple style, which is perfect, as the main subjects are so diverse. The director has allowed the twins' humorous eccentricities, their love of life, and strong joyful spirits to shine through! Don't miss it!

Upbeat and hilarious movie about identical twin yodeling lesbian country singers and comics

[aliceteeter · 10/10 · 23 August 2010]

A feel-good movie that captures one's attention from the beginning and keeps it riveted to the end. The story of the Topp Twins unfolds chronologically with humor. They share the stage with other New Zealand artists and activists, whom we don't have the pleasure of knowing about here in the United States. The movie tickles with gender shifts, positive political activism, music, family, respect, and love while imparting important messages about tolerance, class differences, human rights, and the power of enjoying one's life to the fullest. As an identical twin, I enjoyed watching the connection between Jools and Linda play out over the time period covered by the movie. The editing of the title song at the end is brilliant as it shifts from one time period to another. The movie is inspiring and uplifting and a darn good time!

My favourite feel good documentary!

[Turnbull063 · 10/10 · 22 March 2012]

This documentary is one of the best feel good films I've ever seen. I saw it on Netflix and loved it. The Topp Twins are amazing and the documentary itself is beautifully made. I had heard it won the audience award at the Toronto Film Festival a few years ago and so I had high expectations and it didn't let me down. The story of two completely unique women who aren't afraid to be themselves and take life head on is inspiring. The film made me laugh out loud, and cry a little. It really is a wonderful journey. Perfectly paced, with fabulous juxtaposition of humour, politics, music and social comment. The central device of a concert at which the Twins tell their story is brilliant. I felt like I was part of the audience. I'm not gay but I wish every homophobic person in the world could see this film as it is absolutely impossible to not enjoy getting to know these two middle aged lesbians. I don't think I've ever seen a documentary quite like it. It is a little sad that they aren't better known in this part of the world, I guess I'll have to go to New Zealand one day to see them live.

I guess you have to be a Kiwi?

[derekph-1 · 2/10 · 24 May 2011]

I'm gay, and the friend I went to see this with is a lesbian, and we like gay-positive films, and the New York Times review of this was VERY positive, so we went, expecting to have a good time. Not so much. The accents are almost impenetrable (and we both thought we understood folks from Down Under pretty well), the sound quality in general is awful (at least at the Shattuck Cinema in Berkeley), and the "story" is pretty thin and repetitive. The stereotypes they are poking fun at must be local ones, as we found the songs and skits pointless, silly, and way out of date. SO unless you are already a fan of the Topps, and speak Kiwi, don't expect much from this.