4.5/5 Top Five There is a certain quality good comedy has that allows it to transcend all race barriers. These comedies usually are the ones not catering to any particular group; they are funny for funny’s sake. Chris Rock’s Top Five is one of these movies, transcending creed, code, and decency to deliver us a comedy that is sure to stand the test of time. That is not to say Top Five lacks ethnic character. On the contrary, it is a movie Rock deems simply “black" in its truest, purest form (and it is all the better for it). Without making any grand statements of injustice or social commentary, this is a film that celebrates a rich body of people and a culture. At the same time, it feels like a gift that everyone can enjoy, regardless of color. Alright, enough forwarding praise. Let’s dig into what this movie is all about. Andre Allen (Rock) is a comedian who has hit the big time with a string of successful, but unrewarding, Hammy the Bear movies. Hoping to rid himself of the bear costume and be taken seriously, Allen has made a drama about Haitian revolutionaries that really is not causing much of a buzz. To solve this, Allen (begrudgingly) accepts an interview with the New York Times with Chelsea Brown (Rosario Dawson). Hilarious flashbacks illuminate certain crucial events in Allen’s life and career, such as him hitting bottom and going sober, but the bulk of the film follows these two with day-in-the-life immediacy as they make various promotional stops. | Director: Chris Rock Starring: Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson Writer: Chris Rock |
When stand-up comedians hit the big screen, most of them (including Rock) fall victim to one particular damning notion: to dull down their jokes, smoothing out the edges so as not to offend too many people in the audience. With Top Five, Rock’s third film behind the camera, he finally gets it right. The best comedians, from Richard Pryor to Louis C.K., win us over with their disarming sense of humanity that may not always be pretty, but is always relatable and often moving. Pryor’s transition to the silver screen was a bit rougher than C.K.’s, who seems to get that people love and appreciate his honesty, even/especially when it is uncomfortable. It is a triumphant relief that Rock, one of the funniest dudes on the plant, has made this realization.
Looking more alive than ever, Rock seems to be loving this newfound creativity. Always generous, Rock spreads his cast across a wide range of comics, both revered (Jerry Seinfeld) an despised (Adam Sandler, who reminds us all what a talented guy he really is). Cedric the Entertainer makes one of Top Five’s funniest cameos as an always-game Houston hustler, while J.B. Smoove nails his role as Allen’s bodyguard. Smoove’s Silk, a fat-bottom loving wisecrack, would be a throwaway character in a lesser movie; but Rock, who also serves as writer, endows the role with an emotional core that makes all the difference.
The same goes for just about every supporting player. From the bigger roles like Dawson’s Chelsea to the middling roles like Gabrielle Union’s Kim Kardashian-esque Erica Long (Allen’s fiancé) all the way to the small roles like that of Whoopi Goldberg and DMX, every single character has an unmistakably human center. You never feel as if Andre is talking to a “character,” but rather a flesh-and-blood person. The fact that Rock can pull off this level of world and character-building without sacrificing any laughs is a true testament to his talent as a director, writer, and star.
As we all know, Rock would not be where he is without forbearers who went ahead and made this kind of work possible. Along with all of the accomplishments mentioned in the previous paragraphs, Rock finds a way to weave in tribute to his story. The very title of the film references a game Andre and his family play where they name their top five rappers; this sort of hero-talk is prevalent throughout. You can see traces of Rock’s heroes, from Bill Cosby ( :/ ) to Woody Allen (Rock’s character’s name alone is a reference to Woody). Even the work of modern torchbearers like Rock’s good friend Louis C.K. runs through the veins of Top Five. Heartfelt characters, loving tribute, and more laughs to count make Top Five the best comedy of the year, by far.
Looking more alive than ever, Rock seems to be loving this newfound creativity. Always generous, Rock spreads his cast across a wide range of comics, both revered (Jerry Seinfeld) an despised (Adam Sandler, who reminds us all what a talented guy he really is). Cedric the Entertainer makes one of Top Five’s funniest cameos as an always-game Houston hustler, while J.B. Smoove nails his role as Allen’s bodyguard. Smoove’s Silk, a fat-bottom loving wisecrack, would be a throwaway character in a lesser movie; but Rock, who also serves as writer, endows the role with an emotional core that makes all the difference.
The same goes for just about every supporting player. From the bigger roles like Dawson’s Chelsea to the middling roles like Gabrielle Union’s Kim Kardashian-esque Erica Long (Allen’s fiancé) all the way to the small roles like that of Whoopi Goldberg and DMX, every single character has an unmistakably human center. You never feel as if Andre is talking to a “character,” but rather a flesh-and-blood person. The fact that Rock can pull off this level of world and character-building without sacrificing any laughs is a true testament to his talent as a director, writer, and star.
As we all know, Rock would not be where he is without forbearers who went ahead and made this kind of work possible. Along with all of the accomplishments mentioned in the previous paragraphs, Rock finds a way to weave in tribute to his story. The very title of the film references a game Andre and his family play where they name their top five rappers; this sort of hero-talk is prevalent throughout. You can see traces of Rock’s heroes, from Bill Cosby ( :/ ) to Woody Allen (Rock’s character’s name alone is a reference to Woody). Even the work of modern torchbearers like Rock’s good friend Louis C.K. runs through the veins of Top Five. Heartfelt characters, loving tribute, and more laughs to count make Top Five the best comedy of the year, by far.