B*A*P*S (1997)

Two tacky homegirls move to L.A. to become dancers; instead they scam a dying millionaire but eventually become B*A*P*S (Black American Princesses).

Director:

Robert Townsend

Writer:

Troy Byer (as Troy Beyer)

Stars:

Halle Berry, Natalie Desselle Reid, Martin Landau

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Halle Berry	...	Nisi
Martin Landau	...	Mr. Donald Blakemore
Ian Richardson	...	Manley
Natalie Desselle Reid	...	Mickey (as Natalie Desselle)
Troy Byer	...	Tracy Shaw (as Troy Beyer)
Luigi Amodeo	...	Antonio
Jonathan Fried	...	Isaac
Pierre Edwards	...	Ali (as Pierre)
Anthony Johnson	...	James (as A.J. Johnson)
Bernie Mac	...	Mr. Johnson
Darrel Heath	...	Terrance
Vincent Cook	...	Z.Z.
Faizon Love	...	Tiger J
Rudy Ray Moore	...	Nate
Darrow Igus	...	Bartender

Storyline

Nisi and Mickey are girlfriends who work as waitresses. To get the necessary money for opening their dream restaurant they fly to California to audition for a music video. There Nisi is asked by the nephew of Mr.Blakemore's (who is video director) to act for a week as granddaughter of Lily, Mr.Blakemores one true love, whom he lost long ago and couldn't pursue because she was his family's housekeeper. They revive Blakemore's interest for life, and he teaches them to be "Black American Princesses" in return.

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Plot Keywords:

neo screwball comedy | restaurant | millionaire | nephew | bikini | 

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Taglines:

These Pretty Women... Are Clueless!

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Pierre Edward's film debut. He also appeared in the film "How to Be a Player" with co-star Natalie Desselle a few months after this film's release.

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Goofs

In the bar scene at the beginning of the movie, the clock stands still at 9:25 for about five minutes.

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Quotes

James: See you deserve this kinda stuff...
[hanging head to "cry"]
James: but I just can't give it to you... You deserve nice stuff... You deserve a big ol' house... and you - you deserve your own back yard... and - and everyone else got a - a little white dog, why you can have one? I wanna take you out to dinner... everytime we go out, we gotta watch - other people eat... HELL I wanna eat too! And - and you need some clothes... W-w-why should you have to wear your Sunday clothes on Wednesday? Now look girl......
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in American Horror Story: Head (2013)

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Soundtracks

Get Down On It
(1984)
Written by Kool & The Gang, Ronald Bell (as Bell) & J.T. Taylor (as Taylor)
Performed by Kool & The Gang
Courtesy of Mercury Records, Inc.
By Arrangement with Polygram Filmand TV Licensing

User Reviews

A delightful Cinderella story!

I enjoyed this story about 2 girls with not a lot of class. I'm a woman of color and could appreciate where the ladies were coming from. The characterizations represented the tackier side but I still enjoyed the performances and outcome. What the characters lacked in worldly knowledge, they demonstrated with their heart and compassion for the man portrayed by Martin Landau. I took it as a modern day rags-to-riches story and I'm glad Robert Townsend gave us B.A.P.S. Some may have been insulted but I viewed the story without shame or indignation. Life shouldn't be taken so seriously that you can't find the humorous side of your own people.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

28 March 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

B*A*P*S

Filming Locations:

Bel Air, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,742,679, 30 March 1997

Gross USA:

$7,246,735

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,338,279

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Line Cinema, Island Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min 92 min (Encore print)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1