(Photo Credit: A24)
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(“Misty Green” trailer courtesy of A24)
The Chris Rock-directed movie “Top Five” is an unsung classic.
Throughout the movie, characters rank their top five rappers.
Unfortunately, Rock’s latest directorial effort “Misty Green” only makes Rock’s top five films because he has only directed four films.
But once he directs more, and the talented brother should definitely write and direct more, “Misty Green” will slowly lose its place in the hierarchy of Rock’s films.
And that is unfortunate because there is so much to work with in “Misty Green” from self-sabotage and the double standards when it comes to Black people having mental health issues versus their White counterparts.
However, “Misty Green” just doesn’t fully take advantage of the opportunity to preach a much-needed sermon on how Black people are not always allowed to be flawed, therefore fully human.
The titular character Misty Green might remind some in the Black community of the DeBarge family, and it really does not matter which member of that family.
Whether it is El DeBarge, Bobby DeBarge, Bunny DeBarge, James DeBarge, Chico DeBarge or the fictional Misty Green, they all represent self-sabotage and how many people are their own worst enemies.
Some people have more talent in their pinky finger than other people have in their entire body.
Some people are the best at what they do without even trying.
When certain DeBarge family members sang, their voices were so beautiful that it was like angels singing in Heaven.
To make their talent even greater, the DeBarge family members wrote hit songs and Tommy DeBarge even played instruments for the R&B group Switch.
Unfortunately, drug use prevented the DeBarge family members from becoming iconic like Michael Jackson and Prince.
And they did have that type of talent.
The DeBarge family represents missed opportunities.
However, fans and music executives still have love and respect for the remaining DeBarge siblings.
And El and Bunny DeBarge still have those golden voices, despite past drug abuse.
In “Misty Green,” the titular character has similar, effortless talent as the aforementioned DeBarge family members.
However, she has developed a bad reputation in Hollywood of being someone who is difficult to work with.
When Misty shows up to an audition, other actresses ask for pictures, while some ask the director and casting director why they are even asking her to try out.
Unfortunately, Misty is asked to audition like an up-and-comer because filmmakers and television executives know what comes with her.
They will get natural talent.
But they will also get unnecessary headaches.
Regardless, filmmakers like Jordan Green (Rock) still believe in her because she can act and sing like no one else in Hollywood.
Therefore, when Jordan gets the opportunity to remake “Dreamgirls,” and he cannot find an adequate singer/actress, he begins to consider Misty even though they have a turbulent past.
In addition to being difficult to work with, Misty is extremely delusional.
She still believes that she is an A-list actress even though many in Hollywood have washed their hands from her.
Misty turns down offers like she is the most in-demand talent in the entertainment business when many decision-makers do not give a darn about her anymore.
She wants to live the lavish life with oceanfront property, even though her dwindling budget can only afford a home in the Valley.
Misty does not have millions to play with.
However, she still wants to take care of her troubled brother Jordan (Academy Award-winner Daniel Kaluuya, “Judas and the Black Messiah”)
But like in the Houston film classic “Jason’s Lyric,” there comes a time when a person might have to distance themselves from a troubled sibling or deal with trouble themselves.
However, what happens, when both siblings are troubled?
What does the more successful sibling choose then?
And if they make the wrong choice, does society keep forgiving them for making the same mistakes?
“Misty Green” begins with a definition of the slang term “the bag.”
In the Black community, the bag symbolizes money.
The problem with the get the bag culture is that some will do anything to get the short-term bag, even if the long-term bag eventually leads to even more money, just at a slower pace.
In that light, “Misty Green” symbolizes a saying in the Black community that all money is not good money.
Or like the conscious brothers and sisters would warn, never sell your soul for money or anything else.
Most importantly, “Misty Green” shows how Black men with mental health issues are not given the same grace as their White peers.
Often, the justice system and the media will make excuses for White criminals with mental health issues, while disregarding Black men facing the same struggles.
Furthermore, the media is often quick to blame Black men with checkered pasts for crimes that they did not commit, without even thinking that they might be totally innocent.
With those themes working in its favor, “Misty Green” should have been a much better film because the message, unfortunately, is timeless in America.
Decades from now, America will still operate differently for White and Black people, especially for Black men.
Furthermore, some of Misty’s personality traits could be seen as stereotypical and over-sexualized.
Nevertheless, “Misty Green” is O.K.
But it should have been much better than O.K. because of Rock’s talent.
While Rock is facing criticism from many in the Black community for not doing anything to help a wrongfully convicted friend, very few can deny his talent.
However, in “Misty Green” he just does not live up to his potential like he did with the classic “Top Five.”
REGAL RATINGS
FOUR CROWNS=EXCELLENT
THREE CROWNS=GOOD
TWO CROWNS=AVERAGE
ONE CROWN=POOR
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