sasha_feather: Retro-style poster of skier on pluto.   (hot fuzz)
sasha_feather ([personal profile] sasha_feather) wrote2014-12-27 01:11 am

Top Five

Top Five, written, directed by, and starring Chris Rock, rated R, 2014

This is a tightly written film about a comedian named Andre Allen, who reluctantly agrees to do an interview with Chelsea Brown (Rosario Dawson). They spend the day together talking as Allen does press for his new film and attempts to handle his reality-star fiancee (Gabrielle Union). There are lot of threads and characters, deftly handled, as the two wander around New York. They discuss addiction and recovery and Allen takes stock of his career, which is at a turning point.

This film has a lot going for it-- fun cameos, a lot of honesty from Chris Rock's character, and good pacing. However I cannot recommend it to my friends, and here's why.

There are two major sex scenes in the film. They are both disturbing and yet played for laughs.



In the first, Allen relates his lowest point which involved an alcohol and drug-fueled night spent with two women in Houston. The night takes a downward turn when the man who arranged the whole thing joins in, causing Allen to be a) afraid and b) disgusted. Later then women turn up again demanding payment; when they don't get paid they literally cry rape. WTF.

In the second set of sex scenes, Brown tells of her relationship with her (now ex) boyfriend, who seems to be a closeted bi or gay man. There is a scene here involving a non-consensual, painful sex act, committed by her. And she is supposed to be the protagonist. Allen later says "it's funny!" Major, major wtf.



Chris Rock seems to be savvy to a lot of issues, particularly involving race and snappy dialog, but he fails on this one.

Zuko I am disappoint!
jesse_the_k: text: Be kinder than need be: everyone is fighting some kind of battle (Fucky fuckity fuck)

[personal profile] jesse_the_k 2014-12-27 04:06 pm (UTC)(link)
:(

Thanks for the detailed anti-rec.