Idlewild

Part 1 of Musical Memorial Weekend

A movie that set as a prohibitionist black gangster film that explores faith, love, jazz, and is also a musical. Complete. Now add in Outkast. Double complete. Now sell it. Umm....This was the issue if I remember correctly when Idlewild came out. It didn't last too long as it seemed too eclectic for some modern young audiences and older people didn't have a connection with Outkast nor care to. Plus the reviews were mediocre for the film. After seeing it, I'm not sure why. I think critics must have wanted the film to be worse than it is. Anyhow, the breakdown!

Plotwise, the film does an excellent job of introducing and bringing us into the story of Rooster and Percival. Their lives and dreams are entwined in a way that becomes more evident as the story goes along. A struggling musician love arc and a gold-hearted gangster arc put together make for a dynamic and fun movie to watch. It has it all from the dead dame and the hot chicks to the greasy underlings and brutal murders. Plus, the musical numbers are inspiring as the dancing is excellent. At times the story is a little rough, but that's not the real flaw in this film. So enough story!

Acting-wise the actors all do decent jobs. Andre comes off surprisingly well as does his partner. Unfortunately, every actor, yes even you Terrence Howard, needs a little bit more work. Howard of course plays the evil kat in this picture, but his accent and characterizations don't seem to jive as well in this film as it does in another film called Hustle & Flow. I will say, that no other person alive can say "Man" like he can. Sure, he's crazy and evil and deadly. But it all feels like its been done before. Like he just walked in and put on the shoes and said "let's do this" without ever preparing for the part. Then there is Big Boi who comes across through most of the film as a quick wheel and dealer and not the supposedly good- natured person that the director tries to make for the audience to root for. His younger version comes off looking smarter than he does. Also, for some bizarre reason there are a couple of musical sequences where I wondered if his voice had been dubbed over by Andre. Andre does a good job but there are definitely moments where you can tell Andre is thinking, "Ok, in acting class they recommend pacing back and forth to give energy and tension to a scene of thinking." Or, "If I look away and then back at her, it adds emphasis." I'm not saying he's bad. IN fact, he's quite good. The problem comes with his being pretty new to the game and not as comfortable in the role yet as he should be. That and the editor needed to have cut sooner. Macy Gray does an excellent job as the envious local bar singer. And Paula Patton is a beautiful siren that does her job well as the romantic lead. I also enjoyed Ving Rhames. Cojack. Whatever you wanna call him and his badass. The guy is stuck playing these type of parts, but its hard not to love him for some reason. I'd cast him in anything I ever do. None of the performances were bad, but they along with the script and occassionally the directing need a little punch up. The only scene that didn't fit in the movie, is probably the one where Andre and the girl kiss in the rain...it feels like two people jumping through a field of daisies type thing. But it's okay because Paula Patton is hot. Period. And I don't know what the deal was with Andre's obsession with Shakespeare, but it works well once it is explained better. Good choice.

The best part of the film for sure, is the cinematography and the great artistic use of color. The opening sequence is just great and I love the special effects and how they are sparingly used to emphasize an artistic venture purposefully. I also love the crazy music videos that occur, especially the one where Andre wakes up in the morning with all of the clocks going off. At times it seems a little much and kind of inflated, but those moments pass quickly and it drags you back in for a fun and enjoyable romp in the fictional world of Idlewild. Also, the backgrounds and sets are gorgeous and the texture is great! For any scenic designers who might be reading this, see this film to see how texture can affect the mood and feel of a scene caught on a 2-D scale.

Conclusion:
Bryan Barber and HBO films might not have made box office gold, but I would argue that this is a worthy addition to the pantheon of fun great musical movies not taken from the theater. In some ways it comes across as a male black Chicago. In truth, it is its own demon to be taken as it is and as long as you don't start talking to your flask afterward, you'll be okay. So enter the club and relax and lets all your cares fly away on the voices of angels, gangsters, and a piano player trying to make it.

3.95 out of 5

Wannabe