Dvd

Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls

Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls

2009

Kiwi entertainment's most irrepressible double act comes to the big screen in Leanne Pooley's documentary - offering a revealing look into the lives of the world's only yodelling lesbian twin country-and-western singers.

Doco uses the Twins' archive of home movies and performance footage, talks in depth to the girls themselves and also their alter egos: Ken and Ken, Camp Mother and Camp Leader, and Prue and Dilly. But this a bigger story, not just charting the career of the two sisters but also the 25 years of seismic social change that accompanied it, as the country struggled to find its national identity.

Read our interview with director Leanne Pooley here.

Starring Jools Topp, Lynda Topp

Directed by Leanne Pooley ('Relative Guilt', 'Try Revolution', 'Being Billy Apple')

Produced by Arani Cuthbert

Cinematographer Leon Narbey, Wayne Vinten

Festivals & Awards People's Choice, Best Documentary at the Toronto Film Festival 2009. Best Feature Film (with a budget under $1million) at the NZ Film & TV Awards 2009. Audience Award winner at the Melbourne International Film Festival 2009.

Music, Documentary, Comedy | 1hr 24mins | Rated (M) | contains offensive language and sexual references | Origin: New Zealand

Flicks review

  • You often hear how one of the most important things about local films is getting our stories up on screen. If that is truly one of the main factors in determining the cultural worth of New Zealand’s cinematic output, then this documentary is amongst the elite.

    What at first appears to be a celebrity biopic soon branches out to be a travelogue of the defining moments in this country’s recent history. It never descends into a dry classroom lesson – a testament to the charismatic presence of the Twins themselves. They have a rare talent for accentuating the comic elements of any given situation, no matter how serious they may first appear.

    Likeable mockumentary segments, in which the Twins discuss themselves via various characters, are structured around a recent concert performance that is a brief history of their own lives and a tribute to those who have impacted upon it. The country and western nature of the songs might leave some cold but the way they hold the audience in the palms of their hands is a joy to behold. Like the film itself, it’s a great mix of laughter and heartfelt emotion.

    By Andreas Heinemann, Flicks.co.nz

 Our Rating       4

The Peoples voice

  • Not a Kiwi but I loved it

     5

    I moved to New Zealand in 2007, and saw the Topp Twins at a festival about a month later. I'd never heard of them before then, and thought they sounded like something I'd hate, but we saw them by accident and I loved them!


    My husband and I went to see the film on the strength of their live performance, and we weren't disappointed. It was nothing like their live show, but more of a history of their lives. We learned a lot about them and about New Zealand's recent history, and were thoroughly entertained along the way. We laughed, we felt sad, and we were unfailing impressed. Despite not "getting" any of the references to characters that the twins have played in the past, because I never saw those characters before, I recommend this film to anybody, not just to people from New Zealand.

    By Jenny

  • Is this only for Kiwis?

    I'm looking for objective movie reviews, and found these that rave about NZ national pride without giving any information on what the movie's about, so I'm wondering if it will be as good for an Australian audience? Guess I'll have to look elsewhere for an objective review and to decide if I want to see the movie.

    By Deb

  • Quality with Grace

     5

    Charming loving story about their lives.
    Musically moving,Daring,Fun,and Honest.
    The Topp Twins are cool chickys!!
    10/10

    By Harlee Anderson

  • SEE THIS MOVIE, NOW!!!!

     5

    THIS MOVIE ROCKS ALOT!!! IT ISNT NABOUT THE TOP TWINS MORE A BIG CHUNK OF NEW ZEALAND HISTORY WATCH IT!!

    By NZ ROCKS

  • A Gorgeous Movie!

     5

    What's right? It's interesting, informative, funny, entertaining, charming, it's set in New Zealand, and we get to listen to the Topp Twins' songs
    !
    What's wrong? Not a thing!

    By Topaz

  • Mucho admirationo

     5

    Historical, relevant, life-affirming, gorgeousness, all with humour - loved it.

    By Kara

  • Wonderful

     5

    You laff, you cry, you're entertained, and educated, and if you're almost teh same age as the Topps like me, you go "they made a movie about my lifetime"!

    By John Davies

  •  5

    Have just been with the staff to watch your movie. I laughed, and cried, and when it finished wanted to stay and watch it all over again. Thank you for a couple of hours of total enjoyment. Good Luck, Good Health, and God bless you both.
    Lorraine
    Papamoa Beach Top 10 Holiday Resort

    By Lorraine Trivett

  • i loved it

     5

    an absolutely wonderful encapsulation of al that is so enviable about nz culture

    By s

  • Iconic - a 'Must See'

     5

    Absolutely watchable and so much better than you might expect from the trailer. Skillfully structured and edited and without a dull moment. Insightful and iconic - AND the harmonious duo are worth it alone! As one of the persons interviewed in the film stated "like one voice in stereo".
    If you really want to see a proper "good feel" movie see it! - and at your local cinema

    By John Hammond

  • Not quite the right balance

     3

    While the film was enjoyable there wasn't enough footage of their stage acts and there was too much said about them being lesbians, which was very boring, particularly Helen Clark's segment. I don't care whether they are lesbians or not and I don't want the fact that they are lesbians rammed down my throat. It would have been a much better movie by emphasizing their talent rather than their boring sexuality.

    By Elston

  • When is it coming to San FRancisco USA???

    I want it now!! These are my favorite girls. I'd go all the way to Michigan to see them! I want to see the movie too. When is it coming here?

    By Quentin Childs

  • took my time writing this

     5

    just like the Topp Twins getting around New Zealand in a caravan. This is very clear storytelling that makes me want to see it again for bits I missed. The film had laugh out loud moments that touch/change you like nothing else. Lynda and Jools are who they are and nothing can be taken from them for that. Don't miss this essential part of our country

    By Ken Burns

  • masterpeice

     5

    Get your gear on and go to this movie. There is a peice of every Kiwi going on here. It ticked all the boxes but hued with national pride. These girls stand for something, in the most natural way. You will laugh out loud. This was a pearler.

    By catherine

  • Delivers

     5

    Fantastic movie...not long enough for me..hilarity through the cinema...an inspiration to all kiwis dedicated to being who they truly are

    By Mary Macharper

  • See This magical movie.

     5

    Icons...Stars.....Legends.....The Topp Twins are the best...most terrific....most fabulous...most joyous....most talented...most special....most fantastic....and simply the BEST entertainers for the entire population we have ever had in New Zealand. There have never been or ever will be again two gals who have rocked,moved and made us laugh the way these two have. A pure joy to watch whatever they do....LOVE THEM.....forever!....SEE THIS MOVIE!!!!NOW!!!!!!

    By murray swann

 Collective Voice    0000000000005.00

Your review has been posted, you have spoken, and for that we thank you. – Ed.

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Press Reviews

  • Christchurch Press (Margaret Agnew)

    Very funny, very moving… guaranteed to leave the theatre with a spring in your step and a song in your heart.

  • NZ Herald (Russell Baillie)

    4 4 out of 5 stars

    You'll laugh, you'll cry, you might just yodel.
    Click to read the full review

  • Otago Daily Times (Christine Powley)

    5 5 out of 5 stars

    They were radicals singing about changing the world and the only person each twin was interested in entertaining was the other. Times change and that is the other fascinating thing about this film - just how much we as a nation have changed in their wake, allowing the old-time radicals to become cuddly Kiwi icons.
    Click to read the full review

  • The Listener (David Larsen)

    Funny, moving, richly intelligent study of the Topps’ life and times...
    Click to read the full review

  • TV3 (Kate Rodger)

    4 4 out of 5 stars

    This lovely little doco will warm the cockles of any heart, and made me feel proud to call myself a Kiwi.
    Click to read the full review

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