First Hit: Watching two men act in a comedy who died while prior to its release changed how I saw this film.
Walking into the theater I realized I’d be watching the last film performance of Bernie Mac who died while the film was in post production.
Therefore it was more difficult for me to not be thinking of this while the film progressed. It didn’t help that the film was about the death of their former lead singer and that Mac’s character Floyd goes to the doctor because he thinks there is something wrong with him. And lastly, Black Moses, Issac Hayes, who plays himself in the film actually died right after Mac.
So there are two well known stars on the screen that died before this film hit the screen.
Anyway, the premise is that Floyd and Louis (played by Samuel L. Jackson) are two thirds of a trio who sang great R&B in the 1960s. The lead singer, after the trio had a string of hits, decided to go on his own and became a star.
The film opens with the lead singer’s passing and then we learn that after the initial breakup Floyd and Louis’ career didn’t fare as well. They made a record but it didn’t sell well and with their opposing personalities they went their separate ways as well.
Floyd made money as a promoter and through his stylistic car wash. Louis ended up in jail and then living in a skid row kind of room. The record company wants Floyd and Lewis to come to and perform at a tribute performance for the deceased lead singer at the Apollo Theater.
Most of the film takes place while they travel from California to New York. Along the way they learn more about each other and what really happened so many years before.
Mac and Jackson have very different personalities, acting styles, and strengths. In this film you get to see how these strengths and styles complement each other. Hearing Issac Hayes speak immediately reminded me of some of his songs and it was a joy to hear one of his songs during the ending credits.
Overall: This film was consistent throughout (unlike the previously reviewed “Role Models”) which made it enjoyable. And although I floated in and out of being reminded that two of the films actors were dead, I laughed heartily, fully, and out loud at some of the bits.