Chris Rock is one of the most clever comedians on the planet. His stand up specials are among the all time greats, displaying a fascinating point of view on racial politics, gender issues, and what it’s like being African-American. Top Five adds to his growing directing resume, establishing compelling characters mixed with some interesting ideas in the process. Top Five will also end up being one of the funniest films of the year, combining vulgar one liners, pointed satire, and spectacular cameos into one gut-busting package.
Keeping things close to the chest, Rock plays Andre Allen, a formerly funny stand up and movie star wanting to prove his worth as a dramatic actor. He is also engaged to reality TV star Erica Long (Gabrielle Union) and getting ready to marry her. On his press junket for the wedding/his film, Allen gets interviewed by Chelsea Brown (Rosario Dawson), a fan of his who wants to get to know what has become of one of her favorite comedians. Along their extended interview through New York City, we meet Allen and Brown’s families, get to know some of the problems these seemingly successful people have to deal with (especially alcoholism), and expose a secret or two along the way.
By a wide margin, Top Five is the funniest R rated comedy this year. Chris Rock’s script uses many joke types in its arsenal so any adult will get some sort of satisfaction. Much like David Mamet or Eastbound and Down, the cursing has a poetic quality to it. Top Five understands that the swear isn’t the punchline, but it can add heft to every joke if used correctly (the best example is in a radio promotion). There are two stellar sex jokes, one involving sleeping after sex and the other involving tampons. Rock also has many celebrity friends who pop up, including two all-time cameos: one involves someone with drinking problems and the other is the least likely New Yorker to be seen in a strip club. Most importantly, there is an undercurrent of racial satire throughout the story, giving the movie an angry edge that keeps it pushing forward. Rock unleashes his arsenal of friends and jokes on the audience, resulting in laughs of all kinds, ranging from nervous to tear-inducing.
Top Five also finds ways of bringing up conflict without it seeming too surreal for the audience. Rock gets around this problem with specificity. Andre Allen is a rich aging black comedian, much like himself. Drug abuse is discussed in an adult manner; Allen was funny when he drank, and in his attempt to clean himself up, he finds he is no longer funny. Relationship problems also exist, as Erica helped Andre clean himself up but is very vain publically. Andre’s biggest issue though is his insatiable desire for validation; it is why he makes the sudden change to dramatic acting, and it is why he does the interview with Chelsea. Andre’s desire to be loved is the domino that leads to each of his other issues, and Top Five smartly gives many outlets to show how important it is for the man to be respected and the consequences of that drive.
This is probably about as good Chris Rock gets as an actor. His range is limited, so he plays Allen as he probably is: a funny smart man with an angry and scared edge underneath his actions. The performance isn’t great, but it is good enough. Rosario Dawson is Rock’s smartest casting choice. Dawson has been a great supporting player in other R rated comedies and knows how to elevate a performance and bounce off another actor; she helps drive the big emotional breakthroughs and payoffs in Top Five. Gabrielle Union doesn’t get much screen time, but she delivers some good points and earns every minute. I’ll leave the most famous cameo’s quiet, but I’m happy to see such amazing African-American talent on display here. JB Smoove, Leslie Jones, Michael Che, Romany Malco, Jay Pharaoh, Tracy Morgan, Cedric the Entertainer, Sherri Shephard, and Kevin Hart all pop up and give something great to the movie.
Is Chris Rock becoming the black Woody Allen? Only time will tell, but Top Five proves that thesis may soon arrive. Walking and talking? Check. New York City? Check. Issues a specific group of people have to deal with? Check and mate. Copious use of the N word involved in punchlines? Well no, Rock owns that corner.