Top Five (2014) (English Language)

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Review

102min

Cast: Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson, J.B. Smoove…and more

A hard-living superstar comedian now on the straight and narrow and trying to make it as a serious actor tries to juggle a fame obsessed reality TV star fiancée with a stalling career, when he meets a beautiful straight-talking reporter looking for his human interest story things get complicated in a self-referential comedy starring, directed and written by Chris Rock.

A semi-biographical story about the struggles and career trajectories of successful stand-up comedians who become movie and media stars, Rock draws on personal experiences and those of his contemporaries mixed with dialogue that’s part comedy “bit” and part real-life conversation to produce a somewhat traditional romantic comedy infused with Chris Rock’s uncensored comic sensibility.

‘Top Five’ refers to a constant conversation between the characters about who the “Top 5” rappers of all time are, an example of often hilarious character interactions that are more entertaining and realistic than most movie dialogue out there, not only the main strength of the film but the one element where you see Rock’s comedic stand-up genius truly shine through.

Unfortunately the dialogue is about the only strength in a film that lacks balance, despite the sometimes irreverent comedy and original dialogue it’s as predictable and unsurprising as any modern romantic comedy.

Not a laugh-a-minute ride as you might expect from a mature artist writing from life experience, and yet the only surprises come in the form of lewd comedy and sexually explicit scenes that wouldn’t be out of place in an “American Pie” movie.

‘Top Five’ features a cast of accomplished actors and American comedians, as well as multiple celebrity cameos, but it’s let down by a lead performance from Rock that when being reflective and not delivering sharp observational comedy proves that his calling will always be stand-up comedy.

The Bottom Line…

A valiant creative effort to add something to an over-subscribed genre and not without its merits, ‘Top Five’ is a less introspective version of Adam Sandler’s ‘Funny People’ and an ultimately “untraditional” traditional romantic-comedy made by comedians for comedians.

Top Five is out in UK cinemas on Friday the 8th

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Similar films you may like (Home Video)

Funny People (2009)

Adam Sandler stars a lonely but successful stand-up comedian turned celebrity movie star who takes on a young comedian as an apprentice/assistant after being diagnosed with a terminal condition, with the clock ticking he struggles with fixing the mistakes of his past while trying to form the rarity of a genuine relationship in Hollywood.

Directed by Judd Apatow and starring Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann among others.