Rocking his own reality
Comedian paints a funny self-portrait while trying to be serious, writes
TIGHTLY scripted and featuring a great soundtrack of classic hip hop tracks, Top Five deftly mixes vulgar comedy and social commentary.
For a film about a comedian who dressed up as a bear and his reality TV star fianceé, Chris Rock’s third directorial effort is a welcome surprise delving into complicated themes, yet slyly funny to boot.
Rock has mined his own experience to ask serious questions about what it means to be a black celebrity entertainer, delivering a slightly satirical stab at the business that is showbusiness. He exorcises all the bad feelings he has about movie critics, obsessed fans and reality TV, but, he also doesn’t eschew what is his best talent, improv stand-up.
He plays André Allen, a comedian trying to launch a serious movie, just as his fiancée, Erica Long (Union) is hitting her stride on her reality TV show. Erica has persuaded André that they simply must broadcast their wedding and in between trying to handle marketing for his own (fast-tanking) new film, he has to make nice for her show’s cameras.
“If it’s not on camera, it doesn’t exist” seems to be Erica’s motto and she admits that fame for the sake of fame is the only thing she clings to, and he is not going to mess this up for her.
A New York Times reporter who shadows him for the day, though, forces André to reflect on what he is doing, and why. André is scared that he cannot be funny without the aid of drugs or alcohol, but is driven to try, even if, again, he doesn’t understand why.
The interaction between Rock and Dawson as Chelsea Brown the reporter, forms the anchor of the story which touches on themes of African-American identity without breaking out the obvious tropes.
“I’ve got nothing to do with that,” says Chelsea when André initially refuses to talk to her because his stab at making a serious drama about a Haitian revolution is getting panned. “Yeah? But that’s your people,” he throws back at her.
Their repartee is unfussy, coming across as real and unforced, with some of the best improv happening between them. Chelsea has her own demons, which he recognises and calls her out on this idea of authenticity. Dawson is a warm, complex character and the chemistry between them sparks.
Rock manages an appealing mix of caustic comedian mad at the world for only wanting one thing from him, and charming, smart guy who notices a whole lot more than people give him credit for.
Also making cameos are all manner of comedians like Adam Sandler and Whoopi Goldberg who play themselves while poking fun at themselves as only they can, but watch out for DMX – that one will surprise and delight.
The title takes its cue from a question André keeps on throwing at friends as he runs some last- minute prewedding chores and shows Chelsea around his old neighbourhood in New York, across this one busy day. Choosing a Top Five list of, in this case favourite rappers, gives him an insight into people’s likes and interest as this film gives us a glimpse into what Rock thinks of being famous as being a black comedian.