Idlewild (2006)

A musical set in the Prohibition-era American South, where a speakeasy performer and club manager Rooster must contend with gangsters who have their eyes on the club while his piano player ... See full summary »

Director:

Bryan Barber

Writer:

Bryan Barber

Stars:

André Benjamin, Big Boi, Paula Patton

5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
André Benjamin	...	Percival Jenkins
Big Boi	...	Rooster (as Antwan A. Patton)
Paula Patton	...	Angel Davenport
Terrence Howard	...	Trumpy
Faizon Love	...	Sunshine Ace
Malinda Williams	...	Zora
Cicely Tyson	...	Mother Hopkins
Macy Gray	...	Taffy
Ben Vereen	...	Percy Senior
Paula Jai Parker	...	Rose
Bobb'e J. Thompson	...	Young Rooster
Patti LaBelle	...	The Real Angel Davenport
Ving Rhames	...	Spats
Jackie Long	...	Monk S. Dupois
Oscar Dillon	...	Bobo

Storyline

A musical set in the Prohibition-era American South, where a speakeasy performer and club manager Rooster must contend with gangsters who have their eyes on the club while his piano player and partner Percival must choose between his love, Angel or his obligations to his father.

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Plot Keywords:

speakeasy | gangster | photo album | hip hop | oral sex | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Musical | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, sexuality, nudity and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Spain] Paramount Pictures [France]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 August 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

My Life in Idlewild

Filming Locations:

Burgaw, North Carolina, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$5,745,780 (USA) (25 August 2006)

Gross:

$12,549,485 (USA) (29 September 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Atlas Entertainment, Forensic Films, HBO Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally Idlewild was written as a music video treatment, until the success of their album "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below" encouraged them to expand it into a feature film. The film was going to premiere on HBO but it was ultimately decided to release it in theaters.

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Goofs

During the first big song sung by Big Boi, the camera is on Andre playing the piano. A few seconds later, you see Big Boi dancing around the stage, but there is no one at the piano.

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Quotes

Percival Jenkins: You ain't said nothing slick to a can of oil.

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Crazy Credits

The credits play over a musical dance number by Percival

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Connections

Featured in Music Movies: Idlewild (2013)

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Soundtracks

"Morris Brown"
Written by André Benjamin, Big Boi (as Antwan "Big Boi" Patton), Terrence Smith
Performed by Big Boi featuring Sleepy Brown and Scar
Courtesy of LaFace Records/Zomba Label Group
Sleepy Brown appears courtesy of Purple Ribbon Entertainment/Virgin Records
Scar appears courtesy of Purple Ribbon Entertainment

User Reviews

shame, shame, shame

Here we have the most creative Hip Hop/Rap duo teaming with one of the most creative music video directors on a very good film. I can't believe people aren't seeing this movie...especially black folks. We support some of the most drab and unimaginative crap in music and film but won't support good art. (Maybe it needs more violence or ass shaking in it.)

Anyways, Idlewild has a great story, great music, and highly creative camera work and directing. The acting isn't excellent, but it does not detract from the film. I look forward to seeing more work from Mr. Barber. I wish there were more black filmmakers like him and more music artists like Outkast. Let's move forward people.