** MILD SPOILERS **
An outstanding, if uneven, satire on racial prejudice and stereotyping in Hollywood. Robert Townsend nails this picture in several different daydream sequences (a la Walter Mitty). Townsend is likeable and a little goofy when playing himself, which makes his stand for integrity more powerful. In the daydream sequences, he cuts loose and is obviously having a good time.
The supporting cast is really good. You'll see Keenan Ivory Wayans and Damon Wayans in here, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Anne-Marie Johnson, Dom Irrera, and Franklin Ajaye. There are some unforgettable bits here, like the Black Acting School, At the Movies, and the Health Clinic. You won't see another exploitave Hollywood product without thinking about this movie. Kudos to Townsend for believing in it enough to get it made.
My only gripe (a small one!) is that the flow is a little uneven and bogs down from time to time. But, so did Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and that's a classic! So is Hollywood Shuffle.
9 out of 10
An outstanding, if uneven, satire on racial prejudice and stereotyping in Hollywood. Robert Townsend nails this picture in several different daydream sequences (a la Walter Mitty). Townsend is likeable and a little goofy when playing himself, which makes his stand for integrity more powerful. In the daydream sequences, he cuts loose and is obviously having a good time.
The supporting cast is really good. You'll see Keenan Ivory Wayans and Damon Wayans in here, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Anne-Marie Johnson, Dom Irrera, and Franklin Ajaye. There are some unforgettable bits here, like the Black Acting School, At the Movies, and the Health Clinic. You won't see another exploitave Hollywood product without thinking about this movie. Kudos to Townsend for believing in it enough to get it made.
My only gripe (a small one!) is that the flow is a little uneven and bogs down from time to time. But, so did Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and that's a classic! So is Hollywood Shuffle.
9 out of 10