Hollywood Shuffle poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Robert Townsend, Anne-Marie Johnson, Starletta DuPois, Helen Martin, Craigus R. Johnson ... see more see more... , Dom Jack Irrera , Paul Mooney , Lisa Mende , Robert Shafer , John Witherspoon , Ludie Washington , Keenen Ivory Wayans , Franklyn Ajaye , Jesse Aragon , Jim Beaver , Conni Marie Brazelton , Verda Bridges , Wren T. Brown , Grand L. Bush , Michael Colyar , Sarah Katie Coughlin , Richard Cummings Jr. , Tony Edwards , Roy Fegan , Marc Figueroa , Eugene Robert Glazer , Myra J. , Lorrie Marlow , Bobby McGee , David McKnight , Lydia Nicole , Brad Sanders , Nick Stewart [Nicodemus] , Le Tari , Damon Wayans , Kim Wayans , Jimmy Woodard , Gregory "Popeye" Alexander , Carl Craig , Rusty Cundieff , Donald Douglass , Sena Ayn Black , Michael Conn , Christopher Jackson , E.J. Murray , Don Reed , Nancy Scher , Steven Fertig , Howard Allen , Beverly Brown , Nancy Cheryl Davis , Steve W. James , Tommy Morgan Jr. , Michael Smith , Sarah Kaite Coughlan , Sean Michal Flynn , Keenan Ivory Wayans

This satirical look at the ambivalent relationship between Hollywood power brokers and African-American performers marked the writing, producing, and directing debut of Robert Townsend. The filmmaker ... read more read more...also stars as Bobby Taylor, a struggling actor looking for his big break despite his family's and co-workers' reservations about his chosen career path. While working a day job flipping burgers, Bobby heads out to insulting cattle calls where white casting agents pass judgement on whether he seems "black enough." Meanwhile, he imagines himself playing Sam Spade, Rambo, and other movie heroes rather than the stereotypical roles actually available to him. When Bobby actually does win one such pimp-daddy part, however, he is forced to choose between accepting work that opens doors, but ultimately demeans him and returning to obscurity with his principles intact. Hollywood Shuffle's enormous supporting cast includes a wealth of black actors, from then-unknowns such as Damon Wayans to veterans such as 227 star Helen Martin. Self-financed and filmed on scraps of hand-me-down celluloid, the film helped establish actor Townsend as a director of note and also kick-started the career of co-screenwriter and co-star Keenen Ivory Wayans, who would cast Townsend in his own directorial debut the following year. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

Flixster Users

30% want to see it

3,880 ratings

Critics

87% liked it

23 critics

R, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: Robert Townsend

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: July 24, 2001

Get It:
report incorrect info

Photos

None yet... Got one?

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (213)

  • ajv2688
    February 2, 2011
    ajv2688
    The best comedy about racial stereotyping I've ever seen! If the subject of Black actors in Hollywood interests you, I highly recommend this movie. If not I still recommend this movie, it's hilarious!
  • threefolddado
    March 22, 2008
    threefolddado
    Parts of this film are soda through your nose funny.
  • tmannamt
    April 10, 2011
    tmannamt
    A very funny movie with some very interesting and true points on African Americans being portrayed in films.
  • DaneYoussef
    December 11, 2010
    DaneYoussef
    by Dane Youssef


    "BLAXPLOITATION AND INDIE-FILM UNITE!"


    Movies in general are so formulaic that even most independent films are pretty routine and by-the-numbers.


    Maybe that's why "Hollywood Shuffle" feels so refreshing, like a much-needed change of pace. Most indies are ma... read morede almost entirely by hand---one man writing, directing, producing (hey, they need every single spare cent they can get their grubby hands on) and this one is no exception.


    Townsend wears all the indie hats here... and he wears them proudly.


    This is the film that introduced the world to Robert Townsend. Well, that was it's whole purpose. Like "The Brother McMullen," this star-vehicle was written and directed by Townsend about his dream to make it as a professional actor, trying to break into Hollywood, while at the same time, trying to over-come the cruel limitations mainstream Hollywood has set up for black people who want to act... and actors, in general.


    Whereas the '70's was the birth decade of the blaxploitation, so many of them were just cheap, cheesy, corny knock-offs of popular white films. Blaxploitation got more blacks into films, but the films themselves weren't really about anything. "Hollywood Shuffle" is a Blaxploitation film that really has something to say... that has an agenda.


    There is so much burning talent, so many struggling entertainers wanting to make something of themselves, that Hollywood can afford to treat the auditioning talent the same way a really strong cleanser treats germs.

    Townsend's efforts to make this movie are inspiring--he borrowed every dollar he could, asked for movie footage that was left on the cutting-room floor, called in every favor he could, threw everything he had and more to get this one made.


    To tell his story, get his foot in the door... and at the same time, tell a story about what this kind of life is like. For those with talent who dare to dream big.


    The great Keenan Ivory Wayans and John Witherspoon have bit players as people who work at a hog stand in the neighborhood who don't ask for much out of life... and don't get it. They're the kind of cynics who believe, "You're a fool for following your dreams."


    When you near the end of your journey in this world, you really fully understand the meaning of the old phrase, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."


    Townsend interlocks a variety of skits with this all-too autobiographical tale, all of which are pretty funny and inspiring. You have to admire the way that Townsend wants to put out some legitimate roles for black actors to play and black actors to idolize. But most of his skits go on too long after the point has been made and there are quite a few moments that feel like someone (Townsend obviously) should have punched up. Townsend is a far better actor than he is a writer/director.


    Perhaps because he is only a filmmaker by necessity for this one. He's more interested in using this to make up of all those dream roles he never got to play and showing his chops as an actor than really making a great movie.


    There's a scene where he makes fun of "Siskel & Ebert"--before everyone started doing it. Almost all the skits (where Townsend is fantasizing his dream roles as an actor) go on way too long, probably because Townsend is far less concerned with how funny the skits/movie is and more interested in using this movie to play all the dream roles he never got to before.


    Every single actor is perfectly cast, especially Townsend himself. It's great to see him playing all these roles you know he's always dreamed of doing (he plays them while his character actually IS day-dreaming).


    The movie captures the struggle of the out-of-work actor just right. We see lines and lines of actors warming-up, rehearsing their roles, going into the audition... all to hear, "Thank you, next!" But some blessed, precious few are picked.


    But those that are black are given racially-biased drivel to perform. Ethnic caricatures that shame and set back their race. Brothers and sisters who talk like stock characters from the slave era, wearing redneck farm clothes, picking cotton, eating chicken and getting stinking drunk. Townsend tirades many black archetypes, most of which went out of style around the same time as black-face. Lil' Bobby obviously wants to say something about the way the brothers and sisters are treated in the biz. There are some moments here you'll roar with laughter at, as well as put a lump in your throat and a strange feeling of hope and pride.


    Like many other breakthrough films, especially independents, "Hollywood Shuffle" was another arrival of a fresh new talent. It happens as often as the rise and setting of the suns, but here is a film where it feels a little more special... because Townsend was really about something. You can see it here, not only in some of his satirist scenes, but some of the quieter moments where real drama in brewing and dreams are at stake.


    We see where Townsend is asking himself if he's good enough, if he face the whole world (which is how it is when you're struggling to make it as an entertainer... or in life) and when life-long happiness is at stake. It almost hurts. And at the end of it all, when we wonder for Townsend's character, Bobby's sake... what will become of him? And then we realize we already know. We just found out.


    It's like looking in the sky at the stars like you always do... and then there's a brand-new star shining in the night sky, standing out just a little bit bigger than the others. Haven't seen that one before. Hey, is that a new one? Couldn't be, could it? I don't remember... there are so many. Another star is born.


    Or made.


    --May This Genre Alway Be, Dane Youssef



    danessf@yahoo.com

    http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=58175682

    http://www.google.com/profiles/youssef.daneyoussefcom.dane

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/ASKUZHOKQ1W3E/ref=cm_pdp_rev_title_1?ie=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview#R2MFYILVVRXX73

    http://www.imdb.com/user/ur2718160/comments-expanded?start=0&order=alpha

    http://wiki.answers.com/Q/User:DANE_YOUSSEF

    http://www.epinions.com/user-surfur

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:DANE_YOUSSEF

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:SURFUR

    http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/User:DANEYOUSSEF

    http://www.movieweb.com/u/dane_youssef/reviews

    http://www.youtube.com/SURFUR

    http://www.youtube.com/user/DaneYoussef?feature=mhum

    http://hairmetal.ning.com/profile/DaneYoussef?xg_source=activity

    http://www.flickr.com/people/46939743@N07/

    http://twitter.com/Dane_Youssef

    http://www.neoseeker.com/members/daneyoussef/
  • douglastterry
    August 9, 2010
    douglastterry
    Funny as hell. I have somany oneliners, I still use. Cookie-Head Jenkins, & two bit goat smelling spook.
  • schway66
    July 9, 2009
    schway66
    I've always enjoyed this movie..."batty, batty, batty.." Freakin Halarious. Robert Townsend found the Wayan brothers.
  • The80sExpert
    February 9, 2009
    The80sExpert
    Hilarious and realistic portrayal of African Americans in the film industry. Plus, it's an enjoyable movie.
  • jes25924
    July 18, 2008
    jes25924
    A movie my mother felt it was "important" for me to see at a young age. Funny enough too, though a tad dated times. Still a fine, and refreshing moment from both the world of independent film(financed by Townsend's own credit cards) and comedy in gen...(read more) eral, especiall... read morey "black comedies" and I don't mean those by Todd Solondz.

    It's the most absurd moments which stick with me, like John Witherspoon muttering to himself about "ho-cakes" and the film noir spoof featuring Jerry Curl (the greatest and greasiest of all villains). So aside from episodes of "The Boondocks" on Cartoon Network, and the occassional "Chapel Show" re-run, there's still few intelligent, black comic voices, especially those critical of not just external finger pointing the ways the "white media" portrays african american's, but the ways and reasons which African Americans take on these roles and stereotypes in "black media" as well.

    Two "Boondocks" episodes this past year, critical of BET, were banned from the air, and only available to view on DVD, while Tyler Perry (famous for playing yet another cross dressing Mammy in a fat suit), makes films and TV shows every thirty five seconds...well at least there's always work at the Post-Office.
  • Bigpapadon007
    August 19, 2007
    Bigpapadon007
    Hollywood Shuffle although a comedy film still made quite a impact on the way Black films and characters are made and portayed. Most of the actors and actresses in this film where unknown at the time of the movies release, but now the movie advertises an all-star cast. Cant help ... read morebut love it.
  • nirah005
    February 7, 2007
    nirah005
    This is one of my favorites because my dad and I used to watch this movie all the time when I was younger.

View All Hollywood Shuffle Reviews

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
March 18, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

Brimming with imagination and energy, Hollywood Shuffle is the kind of shoestring effort more appealing in theory than execution. Full Review

Pat Graham
March 18, 2008
Pat Graham, Chicago Reader

Improv talent Robert Townsend is pretty much the whole show. Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Mr. Townsend has taken aim at the industry's funny bone and struck a solid blow. Full Review

Richard Harrington
January 1, 2000
Richard Harrington, Washington Post

For a mere $100,000, Townsend and company have made a funny, poignant and technically proficient film -- one that should thoroughly embarrass those studios that routinely offer up badly made, multimil... Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Under the circumstances, Hollywood Shuffle is an artistic compromise but a logistical triumph, announcing the arrival of a new talent whose next movie should really be something. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
April 22, 2011
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Townsend's low-budget indie is quite a poignant satire of the Hollywood industry and black stereotyping Full Review

March 18, 2008
Empire Magazine

Always enjoyable and Townsend is great. Full Review

March 18, 2008
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Although haphazardly paced and scattershot in approach, when it works, this satire on Hollywood's attitudes toward African-Americans is downright hilarious. Full Review

Mark Bourne
April 6, 2006
Mark Bourne, DVDJournal.com

Instead of bile it has humor, which is the more reliable means of conveying a message. Full Review

Geoff Andrew
February 9, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

Despite the film's conspicuously minuscule budget and shaky narrative structure, it is funny. If you value enthusiasm and imagination more than glossy sophistication, you'll laugh. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

This list looks lonely.
Add a suggestion!

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Hollywood Shuffle : Watch Free on TV

Hollywood Shuffle Trivia

  • In which movie did Keenan Ivory Wayans play a character named Jheri Curl?  Answer »
  • Hollywood Shuffle, Five HeartBeats,The Meteor Man: Who is the Director of these Films.  Answer »
More Hollywood Shuffle Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add Hollywood Shuffle to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?