USA, 2003
Director: Mario Van Peebles
Score: ***

A bit of history is required to put the viewer in perspective before watching the film called BAADASSSSS! a.k.a. GETTIN’ THE MAN’S FOOT OUTTA YOUR BAADASSSSS!  Melvin Van Peebles is the director of the outrageous hit 70’s film WATERMELON MAN in which a white man turns black (Godfrey Cambridge) after falling asleep under a lamp.  BAADASSSSS! takes off from there where Melvin (now played by his son, Mario who also directs and writes) wants to remove the black stereotype from Hollywood by creating an independent black film about a real life street brother.  The film is based on true fact and on the book written by Melvin Van Peebles. 

BAADASSSSS! documents the struggles of Melvin Van Peebles in getting his film made from the financing stage, to casting of the main lead to distribution.  The first two failures at financing (from a homosexual and a rope climbing producer), appear more far-fetched that realistic.  Finally after sealing a deal with lawyer-type character, the project takes shape.  All that is portrayed, however, has been seen in one form or another in the blackpoitation films of the past – from the foul mother ***censored*** language to the mannerisms of the players.

The trouble with BAADASSSSS! is the obvious route the film takes.  The film will eventually get made and make money for all the noble reasons.  But Peebles offers a distraction in portraying a director compromising his values for the sake of film.  Out of money and resources, he forces a patched haircut and a sex scene on his son in order to act in the film.  When questioned why he would not use a wig, his typical reply: “His hair can grow back, but money can’t grow on no mother ***censored*** trees!”

Peebles’ film has spirit.  The confrontation scene between himself and his chief security boom man (Terry Crews from the recent WHITE CHICKS) is breath-taking, but the effect is marred by sentimentality in the following scene when the security man gives in.  The sequence of Earth, Wind and Fire scoring the music is an interesting diversion.  Black cineastes will appreciate BAADASSSSS! more than others.  Even Peebles quips at one point in the film to a theatre owner who dislikes the film: “You are not the audience.” As an added bonus, cameos from John Singleton, Adam West, Sally Struthers and Len Lesser enliven the proceedings.  But one has to give credit to both Mario and Melvin for sheer determination in getting their story told. 

The film that Melvin Van Peebles made is the little seen, SWEET SWEETBACK’S BAADASSSSS SONG that should, itself, be worth a look.  Released in 1972, it did made history as an independent feature truly made on a shoestring budget.

• Review by Gilbert Seah