Hollywood Shuffle
Robert Townsend (in his directorial debut) stars as Bobby Taylor, who wants to be a respected actor. He has the talent, but he needs to convince Hollywood casting agents that gangstas, slaves and "Eddie Murphy types" aren't the sum of his talents. When Bobby wins a stereotypically black role as a pimp-daddy, he must choose between taking the role or keeping his pride. Townsend financed the movie himself and filmed it on scraps of used celluloid.
Member Reviews
Sharp, biting and smart - LePants
This is an extremely clever, well-written and very funny movie that tackles the plight of the black actor with biting irony and a lot of heart. It is packed with hilarious side-sketches that would normally interfere with the flow of a movie, however the solid story and great characters shine through. The message of not selling yourself out, being true to your ideals and believing in yourself works on a universal level, which I think is one of the points Townsend was trying to make.Film I am very glad to have seen - Moir
I thought the film handled thought provoking material skillfully - not 'running aground' on serious message giving as it is so easy to do. It also went beyond simply seeming to be about the situation of the African American actor with conflicting demands and pressures creating a treacherous mine field on the way to any success at all, especially to the chance to be allowed to believe in oneself.
A serious problem for any artist, or even for any human, after all a bird that does not believe in its wings is not likely to be able to fly. This is a problem faced by women, by any stereotyped group, as well as , to some extent, by anyone, given what it is like to be human. [Also I fear by too many people as a side effect of going through the official school system].
I do not mean it is faced as severely as it is for those identifiable as belonging to victimised minorities and having to deal with the inevitable after effects of such victimisation.
I feel it is not a great film but one I respect and am glad to have seen and not just because of its message.Tom-my! Rent My Movie Bay-be!! - Paula4
The comedy Hollywood Shuffle tackles the few streotypical roles offered to Black Americans in the 1980s (Eddie Murphy, a Slave, Gangsta, and Servants).
While this film may not have stood the test of time to welll it still has some classic comedy moments. Namely, the opening, "Tom-my, you kill-ed my brother bay-by", and "Sneaking into the movies" should be classics and well worth the rental if the "Gravitity and the polarity" make it possible for you to watch it.
Member Reviews
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Sharp, biting and smart - LePants
This is an extremely clever, well-written and very funny movie that tackles the plight of the black actor with biting irony and a lot of heart. It is packed with hilarious side-sketches that would normally interfere with the flow of a movie, however the solid ...Film I am very glad to have seen - Moir
I thought the film handled thought provoking material skillfully - not 'running aground' on serious message giving as it is so easy to do. It also went beyond simply seeming to be about the situation of the African American actor with conflicting demands ...Tom-my! Rent My Movie Bay-be!! - Paula4
The comedy Hollywood Shuffle tackles the few streotypical roles offered to Black Americans in the 1980s (Eddie Murphy, a Slave, Gangsta, and Servants).
While this film may not have stood the test of time to welll it still has some classic comedy moments. ...