‘Top Five’ deserves a look

Published 8:00 am Thursday, December 18, 2014

I chose not to see the movie “Exodus” because it is a no-win proposition for yours truly. If I hated the movie and shared my usual cheery comments about it, I risk being labeled anti-religion and anti-Bible and become the subject of sermons and, then soon, torches are lit and the smell of burning me begins to waif about the air filling the nasal cavities of the innocents. Taking shots at Moses is not a terribly clever idea.

So, I went to see “Top Five,” Chris Rock’s “serious” movie. Right off, I need to say that this film makes the life of being a celebrity more depressing than thrilling. And secondly, one can see immediately in “Top Five” that writer, director and star Chris Rock greatly admires the cinematic craftsmanship of Woody Allen. Although the theme(s) revolve(s) around an African-American entertainer and his family, it skews brilliantly and universally several subjects including the heartlessness of the film industry, the hubris of movie stars, the profound tackiness of reality TV shows, the grossness of Hollywood debauchery, and the value of committed relationships to wife and family. And yes, I am serious.

Now, my never silent and always animated advisor on all things all the time has encouraged me to warn my readers that this movie is rated OMG in content. If the audience that went to see “Exodus” accidently witnessed the screening of “Top Five,” they would be dazed, shocked, and maybe convulsed even though through all the ribald language, gags, and visuals, there is a story about humility and decency and not a single death.

To be honest, “Top Five” is almost an intellectual treatise on how celebrity ruins people. Andre Allen (Chris Rock) started as a stand-up comedian who makes a trilogy of schlock comedies (wherein all three he is a talking bear that is a cop — a recurring role). These three absurd comedies are mega-hits, and he has to hear over and over (admiringly) about these dreadful movies everywhere he goes. He hates being typecast and wants to be taken seriously. However, he is a recovering alcoholic who feels that he lost his comedic mojo when he went off the sauce.

Andre’s future wife is yet another celebrity (but without talent); she is a reality TV star, and the marriage is being filmed for TV in all its faux glory. Andre Allen has finally made a “serious” film about the Haitian revolution but he failed to realize that a film about killing tens of thousands of white people may not be about a heroic act and its historical honesty is less than stellar. And to top that off, the movie isn’t selling well.

Andre agrees to an interview with Chelsea Brown (Rosario Dawson) and the film is, more or less, about the interview using flashbacks to tell the story. (This is what resembles the Woody Allen style. Please note the last name of the character is shared with the aforementioned actor/director/writer).

Chelsea Brown’s character is very much like Rosario Dawson: a woman who appears to be black but actually is of mixed Hispanic heritage. No actual mention is made about this in the movie but the reaction of Andre (Chris’ face) is pitch-perfect. What we surmise with the eyes may not be reality and we are reminded to not judge a face by its color.

There is a side story about Andre Allen; he is deeply hurt by the words of a film critic and has even memorized severely critical phrases written by the critic. This hits close to home for me since I have been known to write things less than adulatory a time or two. However, dear reader, I doubt if I will repent of it. There is more to that sub-plot but I will leave it for the few (and it will be the few) who go see this film.

The target audience is going to be limited to be sure, and I know that most of my readership will pass this one up and I shall not blame any of you. It is an adult movie but it is worthy of attention and recognition. It is a serious film, but sweet and sour, ribald and moralistic, contemplative and silly. There really is more in “Top Five” than meets the eyes and ears, and I appreciate Mr. Rock’s skilled efforts. I may not make it one of my top five or even my top ten movies of the year; but I do commend him for his effort in his “Top Five.”

“Top Five” gets three and a half bow ties out of five.