Idlewild

R

Released Aug 25, 2006

2h 1m

Drama

Musical

List

47%

130 Reviews

Tomatometer

66%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A reticent piano player, named Percival (André Benjamin), along with Rooster (Antwan A. Patton), his flamboyant lead performer and manager, struggle to keep their speakeasy, in the Prohibition-era South, out of the hands of gangsters who want to take it over.

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Critics Consensus

Idlewild has some truly breathtaking moments, but borrows too heavily from other similar movies, and the disjointed script is not worthy of talents involved.

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enlightened d

"Idlewilde" is a lot more fun and entertaining than current movies. It has its flaws, but it's a better time than the depressing movies being made now.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

SPOILERS Read the last sentences for Overall Spoiler free. What an odd experience, I watched through the first half or so of this film and found some fun in it but ultimately was bored with the film for a while as it began to build tensions in the second act between Rooster and Trumpy. All the characters in this film were very memorable surprisingly even though some parts were dull, I really enjoyed the beginning and being introduced to the setting and characters. Seeing how they got from point A to point B, I also enjoyed the acting quite a bit. I am a huge Outkast fan so seeing Benjamin and Antwon act was a treat and also a surprise. I expected there to be some bumps but they both played their parts extremely well and even though Percy was a standout performance I preferred the slick, smooth Rooster and his arc throughout the story. I was expecting a happy ending for Percy and Angel while having Rooster die at the hands of his wife at the beginning because I heard the Idlewild Outkast album which took some interesting creative directions that don't line up with the movie so listening to that ended up allowing my expectations to be subverted. I was also surprised to hear songs from Outkast's previous double album included for the majority of the films soundtrack and was pleased by how well they fit into the story apart from a few lines that sounded out of place and one or two songs around the end near the twist that felt off but had the right tone. The villain was an interesting foil for Rooster as they shared a father figure in Spats however Trumpy was Spats protégé and Rooster was more a nephew Spats took under his wing. Trumpy ends up killing Spats which sends him and Rooster on an inevitable war path while simultaneously Rooster must deal with his marriage issues that were caused by his lying, drinking, and cheating. In the end an act of kindness saves Roosters life causing him to change his life and find god for the better after he survives Trumpy although it was very easy to figure out what the film was gonna do with Roosters gift he recieves after the act of kindness. The gift along with a car chase leads into the climax and with the help of Percy triumphs over Trumpy at a cost. The film also features a aforementioned incredible car chase that I re watched a few times because the song mix combined with the high stakes chase and somehow compelling action made for the best scene of the film. Then on Percy's side of the story you have a lonely man who just isn't interested in the lifestyle Rooster is he just wants to make music for people to enjoy but is tied down to work at the mortuary by his father. When the character of Angel comes his life is changed forever and by the end he finds his first love and soul mate, he is ultimately rescued by Rooster at the end of the film after he is about to commit suicide and is motivated by Rooster and Angel to travel the world and become a famous musician which he does and it makes for a satisfying ending for both Percy and Rooster and a good conclusion to the film. Its not a wow film, its not exactly a light or fun film and sometimes there is obvious signs that it was filmed in modern day but its an intriguing and enjoyable film for what they were going for. I would say that I can see why many don't enjoy it but I can for what it is and the little nods, surprises, and that great car chase.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A muddled plot with a maintained core, possibly by relation, and stylized with the crime narrative grounding its blended musical non-extravagance while nicely powered by the talented one-of-a-kind showcases. (B)

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I loved the music, but in the middle they mentioned Luther Vandross who was born in 1951, and his movie was supposed to be in the thirties. Big goof, but great musical numbers

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

ashley h

Idlewild is a disappointing film. It is about two Prohibition-era performers who are determined to fend off the vicious gangsters. Andre Benjamin and Big Bog give terrible performances. The script is badly written. Bryan Barber did a horrible job directing this movie. I was not impressed with this motion picture.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

daniel c

An okay movie. Acting aint bad, soundtrack is above average, but the plot and comedy is a bit silly at times and the movie is a bit slow as a whole.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Bryan Barber

Director

André Benjamin

Percival

Big Boi

Rooster

Paula Patton

Angel

Terrence Howard

Trumpy

Malinda Williams

Zora

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Idlewild: Official Clip - Rooster's Gunfight

3:09

Idlewild: Official Clip - Movin' Cool (The After Party)

3:50

Idlewild: Official Clip - Trumpy Loses It

2:27

Idlewild: Official Clip - Bowtie

3:45

Idlewild: Official Clip - She Lives in My Lap

2:57

Idlewild: Official Clip - Church

2:30

Idlewild: Official Clip - Take off Your Cool

2:13

Idlewild: Official Clip - Nightclub Shooting

3:16

Idlewild: Official Clip - When I Look in Your Eyes

2:37

Idlewild: Official Clip - The Rooster

1:17

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David Jenkins

Time Out

For a band whose music is suffused with such delicate irony, you'd expect at the very least for there to be a few laughs along the way? There are none. Nothing. Zero.

Oct 14, 2006

Full Review

Robert Hanks

Independent (UK)

Rated: 1/5

Oct 14, 2006

Full Review

Olly Richards

Empire Magazine

Fans happy to luxuriate in its artistic indulgence, however, will be swept up in the weird, random, fantastic OutKastness of it all.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 6, 2006

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Who ever thought I'd refer to an OutKast project as boring?

Rated: 1.5/4.0

Sep 11, 2020

Full Review

Kaleem Aftab

The List

It's a tame, well-rehearsed story that hangs together to ensure Idlewild plays like one incongruous pop promo after another.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 3, 2018

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

The only hope for saving the humorless Idlewild is the atmospheric speak-easy setting, the great dancing numbers and the chill soundtrack.

Rated: C+

Apr 23, 2018

Full Review

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Synopsis

A reticent piano player, named Percival (André Benjamin), along with Rooster (Antwan A. Patton), his flamboyant lead performer and manager, struggle to keep their speakeasy, in the Prohibition-era South, out of the hands of gangsters who want to take it over.

Director: Bryan Barber
Producer: Robert Guralnick, Charles Roven
Screenwriter: Bryan Barber
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: HBO Films, Mosaic Media Group, Forensic Films
Rating: R (Nudity|Language|Sexuality|Violence)
Genre: Drama, Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 25, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 21, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.5M
Runtime: 2h 1m

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