Baadasssss!
is a tribute to a groundbreaking filmmaker from his son. Back in 1971,
director Melvin Van Peebles struggled mightily to make what would
become a landmark of independent black filmmaking, Sweet
Sweetback’s Baadassss Song, in which he wrote, produced, directed,
and starred in. Sweetback told the story of a black street
hustler turned revolutionary battling racist cops and it captured the
anger and rage of the black community at the time. It became a huge
success and launched the blaxploitation era of the 70s.
Baadasssss!
was written and directed by Melvin Van Peebles’ son, Mario, who also
plays his father in the film. It depicts the struggles and obstacles
that the elder Peebles had to overcome in order to get Sweetback
made. From the conception of the story, everything was an uphill
battle. From having to find independent financing from a stoned out
hippie, to losing his financing, to having to recast the film, to
having to hire a porn producer (David Alan Grier) to pretend they are
making porn (to throw off the white unions). Everything and anything
seemed to get in his way. The film follows the story from the initial
conception of the film to the first screening, and focuses on the
internal struggle of Van Peeples and his complete and utter
determination to get the film made regardless of all the
consequences.
CRITIQUE
Baadasssss!
is an immensely entertaining and fascinating film with a heartfelt and
intense lead performance from Mario Van Peebles. The fascination lies
in both the formidable perseverance and fearlessness of the elder
Peebles to get this film made at all costs and the surreal comedy of
the circumstances around each area of the production on the film. The
ingenuity that was needed to get this film made is admirable and
amazing. The passion that festered in the elder Van Peebles in making
Sweetback has come full circle to his son in making
Baadasssss!. Mario Van Peebles energetic vision is what makes the
film such a success. He keeps the story moving, captures the style and
liveliness of the era, and lets the struggle stand on its own rather
than force anything down the viewers’ throats.
Mario Van Peebles
also surprises with an intense and charming lead performance as both
his father and an off-screen version of Sweetback himself. He has a
strong screen presence and brings emotion and passion to his portrayal
of his legendary father. There are some interesting scenes where
Mario, playing his father, is interacting with the young Mario (who
acted in Sweetback, playing Sweetback as a kid). The supporting
cast is also quite strong. Joy Bryant, as Melvin’s secretary who is
always auditioning for him so he’ll consider her for a part, is
especially strong. Alan Grier is a bit miscast as the porn producer,
playing it up too campy in a film played fairly straight. But the rest
of the cast is quite strong.
The script is
especially good, one of the strongest on the struggles of filmmaking
I’ve seen in a while. It truly captures the spirit of making films and
the passion of everyone involved in making a film. Anyone interested
in what it takes, both emotionally and creatively, to get an
independent film off the ground should seek this film out. The
dialogue is also quite good, never resorting to clichés or trying to
make Melvin seem unreal. In fact, it finds just as many faults in
Melvin as strong points, which provides an interesting and fascinating
balance through the film. He’s like a dictator running over anyone in
his way one minute and then the creative visionary with a good heart
the next.
Baadasssss!
is one of the best films of the year. It is consistently entertaining
and captivating, with very strong directing, writing and acting from
Mario Van Peebles. This is more than a fitting tribute to Melvin Van
Peebles, it is a tribute to filmmaking and to the passion and
dedication it takes to create something truly groundbreaking.
THE VIDEO
The transfer is
quite clear and crisp; the colors are vibrant and lucid. It is a
strong, quality video transfer.
THE AUDIO
The audio is
presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and it is outstandingly clear and
crisp; the balance is quite perfect.
THE EXTRAS
Commentary with
Mario and Melvin Van Peebles – This is a very informative and interesting commentary
track, one of the best I’ve heard in some time. Both Mario and Melvin
share their personal experiences in the making of both films and also
are able to intelligently discuss both the technical aspects of making
these films and what goes in to filmmaking in general. Both Mario and
Melvin are great storytellers and are both very charming and
interesting guys; which makes for a great commentary track.
The Birth of Black
Cinema –
This informative and captivating extra includes interviews with cast
and crew (of both Baadasssss! and Sweet Sweetback’s
Baadasssss Song) and some of the prominent figures in film (from
Bill Cosby to Michael Mann to John Singleton) with their takes and
personal views on both the rise of blaxploitation and what Melvin Van
Peebles meant to this important movement. This is a terrific,
insightful extra.
The Premiere
– This is just a mix of interviews from the cast and crew and some
notable others from the premiere of the film. This is a bit of a
self-congratulatory piece, with most of the interviews are the actors
saying how amazing Mario Van Peebles is. This is an unnecessary extra.
American
Cinematheque Q&A with Melvin Van Peebles – This is a Q&A session with Melvin where he takes
questions from a moderator in front of an audience and discusses his
experiences with both the making of Sweetback and his views on
Baadasssss!. Melvin is entertaining and funny (in a dry and
sarcastic way) and he has some interesting takes on Mario’s film.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Baadasssss!
is an exhilarating and fascinating ride through the turbulent and
exciting times that Melvin Van Peebles had in making Sweet
Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song and his passion and dedication to get
it made no matter what the cost. A film for anyone with a passion to
create or a love of film. One of the best films of the year.
