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"What Is An Eargasm
Anyway?" |
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Directed by Bryan Barber
- Written by Bryan
Barber
Starring Andre Benjamin,
Antwan Patton, Terrence
Howard, Ving Rhames
Distributed by
HBO/Universal - 2006 -
120mins - Rated R |
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Richard Propes'
Review
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C- |
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Hey Ya! |
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What happens when you
mix together Andre 3000, Big Boi, Antwan Patton and Andre Benjamin?
2003's stellar double album "Speakerboxx/The Love Below" proved that
the above combination could produce lively, entertaining,
unpredictable and exciting music that could please even the most
finicky music lover.
Then, there's the long awaited "Idlewild."
Written and directed by longtime OutKast video director Bryan Barber,
"Idlewild" is an ambitious musical journey through a 1930's nightclub
called "Church."
Why "OutKast" continues to exist is beyond me, as their chemistry is
indistinguishable, their styles glaringly different and their efforts
to avoid each other embarrassingly obvious throughout the film. While
their 2003 release may have entertained, there was no mistaking it was
a joint release by two individual artists. It was NOT an "OutKast"
release.
"Idlewild," as well, is two films in one. In the first, Rooster
(Patton) is a flashy, headlining club singer whose cheatin' way is
building a wall between him and his wife (Malinda Williams), who is
left at home to take care of their several children.
In the second, Percival (Benjamin) is a mortician by day and bashful
piano player by night at the club with Rooster. Controlled by his
grief-stricken, alcoholic father (Ben Vereen), Percival is, allegedly,
Rooster's lifelong friend and confidante.
The two films do frequently intertwine as club owner Ace (Faizon Love)
and gangster Spats (Ving Rhames) are removed from the picture by
Spats' up and coming right-hand man, Trumpy (Terrence Howard).
When Rooster promptly seizes control of the club, Trumpy fights back
while Percival falls for a mysterious club singer (Paula Patton).
It feels weird to even spend time explaining the plot, because "Idlewild"
isn't really dependent upon it. Much like their 2003 release, "Idlewild"
is merely an excuse for Patton and Benjamin to showcase their wide and
varied talents to the backdrop of a cinematic love story of sorts.
"Idlewild" often feels like a mix between Baz Luhrmann's "Moulin
Rouge" and Prince's "Under the Cherry Moon." In this case, give
Luhrmann's award-winning film an urban, hip-hop soundtrack and set it
in 1930's Georgia and you would end up with something remarkably close
to "Idlewild." Much like Luhrmann's film, Barber throws in a melting
pot of musical melody ranging from smooth jazz to hip-hop to soul to,
well, you get the point.
Then, take Prince's production design for "Under the Cherry Moon" and
you will have a fairly firm grasp on what to expect from "Idlewild."
While the musical stylings offered in "Idlewild" are varied and
entertaining, they are also, at times, excessive, self-indulgent and
mind-numbingly boring.
Who ever thought I'd refer to an OutKast project as boring?
Watching "Idlewild" will give you an all new appreciation for
Luhrmann's sense of pacing and awareness of the viewing needs of his
audience. "Idlewild," on the other hand, is a jarring experience that
so quickly shifts between eras, cinematography, genres and musical
stylings that what first seemed like a unique vision ends up feeling
like a chaotic mess.
Both Patton and Benjamin do a decent job in their respective roles,
though they are fairly one-dimensional for the course of the film. The
screen clearly loves Patton, and his musical numbers are among the
film's highlights.
Both Malinda Williams and Paula Patton do a nice job, though Patton's
character is almost eerily close to that of Kidman's from "Moulin
Rouge." In his brief supporting role as club owner Ace, Faizon Love
lights up the screen, though I will confess that at least once I found
myself flashing back to his role as the Gimbel's manager in "Elf."
Terrence Howard again proves he's one of the best actors working today
in his portrayal of Trumpy. Howard takes a one-dimensional role and
brings it to life with a sizzling intensity that commands the screen.
Ben Vereen, Patti LaBelle, Cicely Tyson and Macy Gray show up in
smaller, supporting roles. Both Vereen and LaBelle are shamefully
wasted despite their extensive musical backgrounds, but Tyson, in a
single scene, adds an emotional depth to the film that was woefully
lacking.
A fast pace and wide array of musical arrangements can't hide the fact
that "Idlewild" has a paper-thin script, shallow character
development, jarring production design and nary a semblance of
emotional depth. Style over substance can certainly work, but in this
case style over substance is just plain irritating. Throw in the
remarkably inane special effects of a talking rooster flask and
dancing musical notes, and you have a film that tries to be all things
to all people but ends up being almost nothing to anyone.
The film's production design is consistently and depressingly dark
throughout much of the film, and ocasionally takes on extended periods
of graininess that is difficult and irritating to watch
There are rumors going around that "Idlewild" is to be the swan song
for the OutKast duo. While it is always sad to see a talented musical
duo part ways, if "Idlewild" is symbolic of where their partnership
has gone then, perhaps, a divorce is truly the best thing for all
involved.
Hmmmm. Just had a funny thought. Instead of "Moulin Rouge," we could
call this one "Moulin Rooster."
Hey ya.
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© Written by Richard Propes -
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How We Rated This Film
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TC Candler -
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| Richard Propes
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C- |
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Jacob Hall
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TC Candler's Comment
n/a
Jacob Hall's
Comment
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