I will admit up-front that this is not the type of movie that will appeal broadly to most audiences. It doesn't fit neatly into a category. Much of it is funny, but people get killed. It might be classified as a musical, but most of it involves production numbers on stage in a night spot. And, all the actors are black.
But for a person who likes all kinds of movies, this one is a real treat because it is both different and very interesting. The camera angles and edits are often unique. The cast is an all-star one, including one of my favorites, Terrence Howard, playing a real bad guy. Also stars like Cicely Tyson, Macy Gray, Ben Vereen, Patti LaBelle, and Ving Rhames.
The story is set in Idlewild, Georgia, in the 1930s. Rooster and Percival grew up together but went in different directions. Percival works as a mortician with his dad, and pianist by night, while Rooster became an entertainer and hustler, always operating on the fringes of the law and hoping to not get caught cheating on his wife.
The movie involves disorganized crime, entertainers with false identifications, bootlegged booze, but is brought to life nicely by the ensemble cast. Worth a try for movie fans.
But for a person who likes all kinds of movies, this one is a real treat because it is both different and very interesting. The camera angles and edits are often unique. The cast is an all-star one, including one of my favorites, Terrence Howard, playing a real bad guy. Also stars like Cicely Tyson, Macy Gray, Ben Vereen, Patti LaBelle, and Ving Rhames.
The story is set in Idlewild, Georgia, in the 1930s. Rooster and Percival grew up together but went in different directions. Percival works as a mortician with his dad, and pianist by night, while Rooster became an entertainer and hustler, always operating on the fringes of the law and hoping to not get caught cheating on his wife.
The movie involves disorganized crime, entertainers with false identifications, bootlegged booze, but is brought to life nicely by the ensemble cast. Worth a try for movie fans.