IR Portrayal in Comedic Film
Film The Cookout has "an interracial couple composed of a uptight black judge (Danny Glover) who treats Todd with class condescension and his white wife (Farrah Fawcett), who runs screaming at the sight of other black people. "
Film Review: the Cookout
Tue Sep 7, 7:41 PM ET
By Frank Scheck
NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - It's hoped that over this past holiday weekend, more people were enjoying real cookouts than enduring "The Cookout," a painfully unfunny, would-be comedy unleashed by Lions Gate on Friday without press screenings.
Barely managing to produce a single moment of genuine humor, this comedy of no manners manages to squander the talents of some fine performers, including Danny Glover and Queen Latifah (who also co-produced). It sold just $6.2 million worth of tickets during the weekend.
The film revolves around a weekend cookout hosted by Todd Andersen (Storm P), a young black basketball player just out of high school who has signed a $30 million contract with the New Jersey Nets. To the consternation of his old-fashioned parents (Frankie Faison, Jenifer Lewis), Todd immediately begins spending his money, which he hasn't even received yet, on, among other things: a fancy new car, diamond earrings for his gold-digging girlfriend (Meagan Good) and a lavish mansion equipped with 10 bathrooms ("You've only got one ass," his father comments) in a fancy gated community.
Todd's arrival is greeted with less than friendliness by the community's fascist security guard (Queen Latifah), who dons a SWAT suit in anticipation of trouble. Also alarmed are an interracial couple composed of a uptight black judge (Danny Glover) who treats Todd with class condescension and his white wife (Farrah Fawcett ), who runs screaming at the sight of other black people.
The film's humor, such as it is, basically revolves around the personal and class conflicts among the cookout attendees, who also include Todd's high-strung agent (Jonathan Silverman); a pair of morbidly obese stoner relatives; and a gate crasher (Ja Rule) trying to get Todd to sign some sneakers.
The screenplay, credited to three writers, is utterly lacking in the wit and warmth that distinguished such obvious inspirations as "Barbershop" and mainly relies on broad physical comedy, stereotypical characterizations and dialogue on the order of "That don't smell like feet, that smells like ass." Needless to say, the performers are unable to elevate the material to a higher level, and it's truly sad to see some true talents wasted -- Queen Latifah, in particular, should be required to return her Oscar nomination.
Cast: Security guard: Queen Latifah; Bling Bling: Ja Rule; Leroy: Tim Meadows; Lady M: Jenifer Lewis; Todd Anderson: Storm P; Wes: Jonathan Silverman; Brittany: Meagan Good; Mrs. Crowley: Farrah Fawcett; jog Anderson: Frankie Faison; Becky: Eve; Judge Crowley: Danny Glover.
Director: Lance Rivera; Screenplay by: Laurie B. Turner, Ramsey Gbelawoe, Jeffrey Brian Holmes; Producers: Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere; Director of photography: Tom Houghton; Editors: Jeff McEvoy, Patricia Bowers; Production designer: Anne Stuhler.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
Film Review: the Cookout
Tue Sep 7, 7:41 PM ET
By Frank Scheck
NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - It's hoped that over this past holiday weekend, more people were enjoying real cookouts than enduring "The Cookout," a painfully unfunny, would-be comedy unleashed by Lions Gate on Friday without press screenings.
Barely managing to produce a single moment of genuine humor, this comedy of no manners manages to squander the talents of some fine performers, including Danny Glover and Queen Latifah (who also co-produced). It sold just $6.2 million worth of tickets during the weekend.
The film revolves around a weekend cookout hosted by Todd Andersen (Storm P), a young black basketball player just out of high school who has signed a $30 million contract with the New Jersey Nets. To the consternation of his old-fashioned parents (Frankie Faison, Jenifer Lewis), Todd immediately begins spending his money, which he hasn't even received yet, on, among other things: a fancy new car, diamond earrings for his gold-digging girlfriend (Meagan Good) and a lavish mansion equipped with 10 bathrooms ("You've only got one ass," his father comments) in a fancy gated community.
Todd's arrival is greeted with less than friendliness by the community's fascist security guard (Queen Latifah), who dons a SWAT suit in anticipation of trouble. Also alarmed are an interracial couple composed of a uptight black judge (Danny Glover) who treats Todd with class condescension and his white wife (Farrah Fawcett ), who runs screaming at the sight of other black people.
The film's humor, such as it is, basically revolves around the personal and class conflicts among the cookout attendees, who also include Todd's high-strung agent (Jonathan Silverman); a pair of morbidly obese stoner relatives; and a gate crasher (Ja Rule) trying to get Todd to sign some sneakers.
The screenplay, credited to three writers, is utterly lacking in the wit and warmth that distinguished such obvious inspirations as "Barbershop" and mainly relies on broad physical comedy, stereotypical characterizations and dialogue on the order of "That don't smell like feet, that smells like ass." Needless to say, the performers are unable to elevate the material to a higher level, and it's truly sad to see some true talents wasted -- Queen Latifah, in particular, should be required to return her Oscar nomination.
Cast: Security guard: Queen Latifah; Bling Bling: Ja Rule; Leroy: Tim Meadows; Lady M: Jenifer Lewis; Todd Anderson: Storm P; Wes: Jonathan Silverman; Brittany: Meagan Good; Mrs. Crowley: Farrah Fawcett; jog Anderson: Frankie Faison; Becky: Eve; Judge Crowley: Danny Glover.
Director: Lance Rivera; Screenplay by: Laurie B. Turner, Ramsey Gbelawoe, Jeffrey Brian Holmes; Producers: Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere; Director of photography: Tom Houghton; Editors: Jeff McEvoy, Patricia Bowers; Production designer: Anne Stuhler.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
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