Hollywood Shuffle

Hollywood Shuffle
1987 - Samuel Goldwyn Company
Directed By Robert Townsend



SYNOPSIS

An up-and-coming black actor (Robert Townsend) gets his big break when he's cast as a street-wise gangsta. But war rages inside him as he wonders if doing the role is demeaning to his race and ponders leaving the production.



MY THOUGHTS

I often wondered while watching this film "what ever happened to Robert Townsend?" He's got a great screen presence and is a good director and writer. He's kept busy in the years since this film but not with anything major acting or directing-wise, but has a successful career as a producer and created (and starred in) TV's The Parent 'Hood and a few films.

The politics of the film all could get very heavy-handed if not for the outrageous sense of humor. Unlike many comedies of the 80's, Hollywood Shuffle isn't afraid of dropping an f-bomb or even an m-f-bomb with glee.

Many sketches appear in the film parodying the stereotypical black roles in film (servants, blaxploitation heroes) and how certain films + genres would be different with black protagonists (Rambo, film noir, etc.) or TV (Siskel + Ebert.) These parodies play much like they would on Saturday Night Live, but pack a stronger bite because they bring a message with them.
The Black Acting School sketch (see video above a few minutes in) is one of the main highlights of the film.

Most of the actors play multiple roles, giving the film a very small-budget feel. Townsend financed the film himself, thanks to credit cards!
The elder Wayans brothers Keenan Ivory Wayans and Damon Wayans make early screen appearances here... and the always great comic Paul Mooney (The Chappelle's Show's Ask A Black Guy) plays the local head of the NAACP!

Any movie that can make me laugh out loud AND think at the same time deserves the highest praise and Hollywood Shuffle definitely deserves it.