Idlewild (C or 2/4 stars)
If there were such a thing as a crime musical, it would be 'Idlewild', written & directed by Bryan Barber. Set in the Prohibition-era American Deep South, this 'musical' tells a story of love, loss, & crime. Both lead performer and owner, Rooster (Antwon Patton) has to contend with some gangsters who want his nightclub. And Percival (Andre Benjamin) must choose between his love of piano playing, the nightclub's singer, his woman, & an obligation to his dad (Ben Vereen). This film is offers highly creative choreography, editing, cartoon work, camerawork, & color schemes. But the acting, story, & execution could have been a lot better.
Percival, a shy man, works for his dad at a morgue. By night, he does what he loves, playin' the piano at 'Church', the name of the nightclub. His childhood pal, Rooster, has now grown up to own this club. He leads a life of gambling, partying, & eye-popping business deals. One night, an argument erupts at the club and Spat (Ving Rhames), Trumpy (a great Terrence Howard), and others. The, a sexy St. Louis singer, Angel Davenport (Paula Patton) arrives at the club and commences flirting with Percival. She has stage fright because she harbors a dark secret, but Percival writes her an inspiring song to sing; they fall in love. And they now have dreams to travel the world & perform.
Meanwhile, Rooster has a fight with his wife, Zora. She leaves, he goes out to look for her, and stumbles across an old woman, Old Mother Hopkins (Cicely Tyson). Mysteriously, she tells him that he is an angel and hands him a bible. This is obviously some sort of cryptic, philosophical moment for Rooster's character, but we go with it for now. But later, a gunfight ensues btwn. Rooster & Trumpy's gang. Fate steps in and one main character will be saved by Old Mother Hopkins' bible! Things don't go well, though, for another main character (and bystander in the gunfight). Grieving, reflection, consolation, and healing follows.
'Idlewild' is able to mix drama with comedy, reality with 3-D animated surrealism, & 1930's style with hip-hop music. It's very hard to describe the plot, purpose, & execution within this film; it's just a spectacle that would have to be seen to understand. All those involved in making this are obviously passionate about creating a new vision in cinema; it has zip, it has soul. The movie is rowdy, energetic, & inviting. The editing is steady. The problem is ... the acting, writing, & exposition are pretty poor. The sex is way too graphic. There are MANY cliches, dead-air moments, & weirdness. And most of the actors are either underwhelming or exploding with hectic energy. Macy Gray is annoying as a screeching, jealous, fading club singer. It has its flaws, it's messy. But it wasn't horrible.
Percival, a shy man, works for his dad at a morgue. By night, he does what he loves, playin' the piano at 'Church', the name of the nightclub. His childhood pal, Rooster, has now grown up to own this club. He leads a life of gambling, partying, & eye-popping business deals. One night, an argument erupts at the club and Spat (Ving Rhames), Trumpy (a great Terrence Howard), and others. The, a sexy St. Louis singer, Angel Davenport (Paula Patton) arrives at the club and commences flirting with Percival. She has stage fright because she harbors a dark secret, but Percival writes her an inspiring song to sing; they fall in love. And they now have dreams to travel the world & perform.
Meanwhile, Rooster has a fight with his wife, Zora. She leaves, he goes out to look for her, and stumbles across an old woman, Old Mother Hopkins (Cicely Tyson). Mysteriously, she tells him that he is an angel and hands him a bible. This is obviously some sort of cryptic, philosophical moment for Rooster's character, but we go with it for now. But later, a gunfight ensues btwn. Rooster & Trumpy's gang. Fate steps in and one main character will be saved by Old Mother Hopkins' bible! Things don't go well, though, for another main character (and bystander in the gunfight). Grieving, reflection, consolation, and healing follows.
'Idlewild' is able to mix drama with comedy, reality with 3-D animated surrealism, & 1930's style with hip-hop music. It's very hard to describe the plot, purpose, & execution within this film; it's just a spectacle that would have to be seen to understand. All those involved in making this are obviously passionate about creating a new vision in cinema; it has zip, it has soul. The movie is rowdy, energetic, & inviting. The editing is steady. The problem is ... the acting, writing, & exposition are pretty poor. The sex is way too graphic. There are MANY cliches, dead-air moments, & weirdness. And most of the actors are either underwhelming or exploding with hectic energy. Macy Gray is annoying as a screeching, jealous, fading club singer. It has its flaws, it's messy. But it wasn't horrible.