Mario Van Peebles portrays his father Melvin Van Peebles in the early 70s as he pushes the boundaries of black films. After making the comedy Watermelon Man, he goes on to make the black-conscious "Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song". His agent Howie Kaufman (Saul Rubinek) wants him to do another comedy. With racist white expensive unions, he uses porn producer Clyde Houston (David Alan Grier). His hippie friend Bill Harris (Rainn Wilson) tries to line up investors. He's an often-absent father to his two kids being taken care of by Granddad (Ossie Davis) and later by his girlfriend (Nia Long). His secretary Priscilla (Joy Bryant) keeps trying to get a role in the movie. After his investor gets arrested, his rag-tag group starts with self-financing and no SAG actors. With muscle from the Black Panther and private investors like Bill Crosby, he overcomes all the hurdles.
This is a compelling movie on a couple of levels. This is a nice slice of a time and place. It's a thrilling underdog story and a fun insight into filmmaking of that era. The indie style of filmmaking is quite fitting for the subject matter. Then there is another level where Mario seems to be working out some issues with his dad. Seeing Mario channel his father while Khleo Thomas plays him is incredibly compelling. This is the perfect docudrama for him.
This is a compelling movie on a couple of levels. This is a nice slice of a time and place. It's a thrilling underdog story and a fun insight into filmmaking of that era. The indie style of filmmaking is quite fitting for the subject matter. Then there is another level where Mario seems to be working out some issues with his dad. Seeing Mario channel his father while Khleo Thomas plays him is incredibly compelling. This is the perfect docudrama for him.