Review of Top Five (2014) by Joey J — 19 Dec 2014

Dave Chappelle once said, when referencing the public "breakdowns" of himself, Mariah Carey and Martin Lawrence, that these people aren't crazy but are actually very intelligent people at their breaking point, and that the system they're in is what's messed up. Rock is exploring this in his new film, a very personal look at the strange relationship between media and entertainment. It's a filmic venting of how our fame-starved culture is destroying lives, one character going so far as to say, "If it's not on camera, it doesn't exist", all the while remaining somewhat neutral on who is to blame. Unfortunately, these strong ideas are surrounded by unfocused filmmaking. So even though it's smart, and funny to boot, the end product is kinda cluttered.

Rock's longtime Woody Allen fandom is fully present here, with the consistently funny jokes brimming from the brainy dialogue and the heartfelt (if overdone) editing. To accompany him in his study of one comedian's reluctant "rise" and much-needed "fall", is Dawson, formidable and charming as Rock's main verbal-sparring partner. Cameos abound, Rock employing nearly every "hey-that-guy" comedic actor working now. Even the much derided Sandler provides some good guffaws.

With so much positive in the philosophy, acting, screenwriting, and humor, it's a bummer Top Five isn't in my personal top five, or even top 20, of the year... But the jazz/hip-hop fusion score is a wreck, the non-sequitur break-aways are distracting and unfunny, and the thematic focus is just a bit off. There are, luckily, enough consistent laughs that stem from a heartfelt, melancholic, and unique place to be worth a watch.