Spinning a wry, tall-tale version of his autobiography, the septuagenarian audaciously plays himself at every age and every stage of his improbably picaresque adventures.
It’s disappointing, though, to see that his work, while it’s become more polished, has remained essentially self-indulgent and superficial despite the big themes of racism and identity that it takes on.
50
Chicago ReaderJ.R. Jones
Chicago ReaderJ.R. Jones
The video has a funky, loose-limbed feel, but Van Peebles has been celebrated so much already you have to wonder how many victory laps a man needs.
50
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
Van Peebles' persona and sensibility remain engaging, as do his way with his beguiling score and songs, but his film desperately needs tightening to eliminate tedious moments, especially in the African sequence.
There’s something admirable about the anything-goes energy that Van Peebles brings to this tall tale, but the amateurishness and Video Toaster–era technical tricks start to grate after a bit. It’s a funky, free-form fairy tale, but one that only a mutha could truly love.
30
Village Voice
Village Voice
There's a temptation to "give" this to Van Peebles, but any scene in which actors get to interact is deathly awkward, and 100 minutes should never feel this long.