with Rosario Dawson, J.B. Smoove, Cedric The Entertainer, Gabrielle Union
I've always liked Chris Rock's comedic sensibilities. Even when I don't exactly agree with what he says, I'm impressed by the thought process that gets him there. Comics are highly observant creatures, always examining the foibles of what it is to be human and exploiting the cracks between sense and nonsense and widening them so we laugh at ourselves. In Top Five, the new film he's penned and directed, Rock delves deep into ego, fame, insecurity, friendship, family, loyalty, and modern romance -- not to mention a running commentary on the all-time best in hip-hop and the enduring impact of the Cinderella myth on both sexes. The result is a thoughtful, funny, sad, touching meditation on modern life.
The story centers on a day in the life of one Andre Allen, a successful comedian whose big screen persona is best exemplified by a bear-suited action character that's appeared in a series of box office hits. But as the day dawns, Andre is deeply dissatisfied by the Hollywood corner he's painted himself into (this might make a good double-feature with the wonderful Beyond the Lights, as an examination of the golden handcuffs of contemporary fame, particularly for people of color). Fast hemorrhaging all of his "funny" in the pursuit of more serious fare, Andre is promoting a well-intentioned, historically important but violently maudlin pet project about the Haitian slave uprising; chafing at his made-for-TV engagement and impending marriage to a self-involved reality TV star (Gabrielle Union, all acquisitive self-centeredness until desperation causes the mask to fall); and aching to ditch the outlandish, ursine comic persona he's ridden to riches for something much more meaningful. As such, Andre is up to his neck in conflict. He's so far out to sea, he's not even aware how close he is to drowning until he bumps up against a smart, multi-tasking, blunt-spoken journalist who holds up a mirror and reminds him that he'd better start swimming because there's no one going to throw him a life raft.
As journalist Chelsea Brown, Rosario Dawson is the cool New York chica who's been around (she's got a daughter, juggles assignments for various media and dabbles in photography) but not enough so she can't still be surprised. Assigned to shadow Andre for the day for a New York Times story, Chelsea is the measured voice of the Average Joe(sephine), the true fan from back in the day, able to ask the celebrity point blank why he made the life, love and career choices he has. At first, Andre is intrigued then challenged and angered by Chelsea's questions, which force him to confront himself. As with most defensive subjects, this causes Andre to fire back a few personal questions at Chelsea, and the two compare notes and perspectives.
During this daytrip around Manhattan, Andre addresses a group of Columbia University students, then with Chelsea in tow, visits Sirius XM Radio (hey, I see you, my former Billboard colleague Larry Flick, host of The Morning Jolt); goes back to the old neighborhood to visit with his family and friends, a great sequence in which it's clear that the roots of Andre's comedy come from this keep-it-real crew of hilarious and highly complicated people (including Ben Vereen, Sheri Shepherd, Tracy Morgan, Jay Pharaoh, and Leslie Jones). He tries on tuxes for his arranged TV wedding, and preps for a TV appearance later that night. Partially accompanied by his handler and longtime friend (J.B. Smoove), Andre and Chelsea meander from the upper West Side to Harlem to midtown to SoHo to The Village and back to midtown, philosophizing, sparring, comparing notes and analyzing events. Their separate flashback recollections are some of the raunchiest, realest, damn-near shocking parts of the film and you will not be able to stop laughing (look for Cedric the Entertainer to do one of his funniest film bits to date).
As it turns out, Chelsea has a few kinks in her own armor to work out, and as the day moves along, she bumps up against some ugly realities, including having one of her many masks slip. Chelsea's revelations turn the balance of power between interviewer and interviewee. But the hours sharing "rigorous" truths have bonded celebrity and journalist into a relationship of sorts that neither can turn their back on. In the process of his time with Chelsea, Andre ultimately gets his groove back. It's quite a journey for both that takes them places they didn't foresee.
With its "Walking And Talking in New York" premise, Rock himself has said that Top Five pays tribute to films by Woody Allen (Manhattan, Annie Hall, Stardust Memories) and Richard Linklater (Before Sunset, Before Sunrise, Before Dawn). Rock puts his own twist on things by examining the lengths to which we humans will go for ego gratification, and the overt fear that we all have of losing everything we've gained by taking a risk. While some of the situations may seem over-the-top, it's really the chemistry of Rock and Dawson -- two smart, engaging, opinionated and culturally aware New Yorkers both on and off the screen -- that keeps the film moving.
While the nod to the Cinderella myth that comes as a payoff toward the end will have some believing that the saga of Chelsea and Andre didn't wrap up at interview's end, we don't really know what will come next for them. What occurred to me is that in the fairy tale metaphor, Andre is the Cinderella, and Chelsea the fairy godmother.
Kudos to Rock on a great job with story, pacing, and a stellar talent (look for cameos by Adam Sandler, Whoopi Goldberg, and Jerry Seinfeld as well). This is a funny, funny movie. See it now.
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