When Robert Townsend learned that the only screen jobs available to himself and other black actors were more or less the same, stereotypical assortment of pimp, prostitute and criminal character roles, he didn't get mad, he got even, channeling his frustration into a homemade satire of Hollywood discrimination (financed, according to PR legend, almost entirely by credit cards). The episodic plot stars Townsend himself as an aspiring actor forced to endure a series of absurd auditions and interviews, at one point being blatantly judged by his ability to imitate Eddie Murphy. The often broad and obvious humor works well during the sometimes hilarious fantasy digressions: a Siskel and Ebert parody by two ghetto critics; a mock film noir scenario; and an irreverent commercial ad for The School of Black Acting. The more straightforward dramatic scenes make less of an impression, but at least illustrate the point that racial typecasting is a ridiculous practice. In all it's a valuable lesson from a natural comic talent, and a humorous insider's guide to an industry where equal opportunity hasn't evolved much since the days of D.W. Griffith.
Review of Hollywood Shuffle
