"A
story of premature reincarnation."
I
truly believe the funniest thing about Chris Rock is
the way his skinny neck manages to hold up such
large bulging eyes and a tremendous toothy grin. I
also think it is amusing how Mr. Rock thinks if he
says an ordinary phrase slowly, loudly, and with
high pitched exclamation, the ordinary phrase
becomes comedic or profound. If you are one of the
many people who think Rock is a great comedian and a
bitingly perceptive social commentator, then you may
enjoy this movie. If you're like me then you will
laugh twice, smile three times, and look at your
watch for most of the ninety minutes.
The plot, for a reincarnation movie, is handled with
breezy simplicity. The black comedian is taken early
by an angel (Eugene Levy, being done a favor by the
duo who directed him in American Pie last year), and
is only returned to earth in an old white man's
body…a "complicated" means to the end,
that Rock desires.
Rock
saw the untapped goldmine of humor, found when a white
person acts black. Maybe he didn't realize that this
joke has been played out by everyone from Seth Green
to Warren Beatty…..and speaking of Mr. Beatty, for
those who don't already know, this movie is
"inspired" by Heaven Can Wait, a well-known
1978 movie written by and starring Warren Beatty. The
difference here is that it is only Rock who sees
himself as black, so he acts accordingly,(i.e. saying
"stop playing" repeatedly) while the rest of
the world sees him as a white geezer. Watch a white
senior citizen get down to Snoop Dog - Laugh. Watch a
him say "nigga" to a gang of black thugs -
Laugh.
However, the best and funniest portions of the film
really have nothing to do with Rock or Charles
Wellington, the deceased elderly billionaire, whom he
has become. New Yorkers, who have seen countless
episodes of "Showtime at the Apollo" will
definitely get a kick out of the hysterical send up of
the amateur performers and the rowdy audience
reactions.
The supporting cast does very well, most notably Greg
Gurmann of Ally Mcbeal and Wanda Sykes as a
disgruntled employee.
What is truly holding back this movie is its
reincarnation theme. I would rather have seen a movie
about the struggling comedian trying to make it or,
perhaps, a comedy about a rich man and his quirky
staff (uhhh ok maybe not).
The romantic interest is played by the talented Regina
King (Jerry Macguire) as a young, African American
hospital owner and 'Wellington' hater. King plays
Sontee Jenkins straight and the only explanation she
can give as to why she has turned around and fell in
love with a freaky old white guy is by constantly
chanting the mantra, " There's something about
your eyes"…weak
Now here is why you should read this review!
Who else is going to make the connection that Regina
King has not played someone with the last name
"Jenkins" since she portrayed Brenda Jenkins
on 227. (sometimes, I scare myself) No applause
necessary, I enjoy it.
In Three Sentences
or Less....
Not
an ambitious follow up to American Pie for the Weitz
brothers. Don't believe it if you hear that Chris Rock
has arrived as a full fledged movie star, because he's
got a ways to go. See it on Channel 11 next
year…that is, if Sixteen Candles isn't on.
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