Top Five is a
dramedy where the drama worked much better than the comedy. Chris Rock is an
alcoholic comedian who has been trying to pursue a more “serious” career since
he sobered up. His attempts at prestige flicks have fallen flat with audience
members and critics, including Uprize, a terrible-looking Haitian revolt period
piece which he is on a promotion tour for. Chris Rock has some clever things to
say about celebrity and if the film had kept a focus on this, it could have
been a more enjoyable movie. Instead, Chris Rock decides to shoe-horn in a very
traditional romantic comedy with Rosario Dawson. No complaints with Dawson’s
performance – she’s sharp as a smart, tenacious New York Times journalist who bonds with Chris Rock over their
shared struggles with alcoholism. But all
the romantic comedy tropes weigh the movie down, including the Seeing the Love
Interest In a New Light After Meeting Family/Friends and the Misunderstanding
That Causes a Brief Break-Up and the Evil Boyfriend/Fiancée Who Is Clearly Not
Right For the Lead(s). Gabrielle Union is criminally underused as Chris Rock’s
reality TV starlet fiancée. Gabrielle Union always brings sympathy and
intelligence to her roles, and it’s a shame that Chris Rock didn’t spend more time
exploring celebrity using Gabrielle Union’s desperate, hungry fame seeker.
Grade: B-
Final Verdict: Personally, some of the jokes jumped the spectrum from
unfunny to downright uncomfortable for me, which dulled my enjoyment of the
film. If jokes about an unwanted foursome with two prostitutes and Cee-Lo Green and a
really long sequence about things (wanted and unwanted) going up butts don’t
turn you off, then go ahead and see this. Otherwise, give it a pass.
If You Like This, Watch: Down to Earth, I Think I Love My Wife, Funny People, Everything Must Go
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