Watched: 03/22/2024
Format: Amazon
Viewing: Unknown
Director: Louis C.K.
Selection: Jamie
It's easy to forget that before he got #metoo'd, Louis C.K. was maybe one of funniest, smartest guys working in comedy. I was a fan of his FX show and stand-up. And it's all the more remarkable he became what he did before his big fall, because this movie and his failed sitcom should have tanked his career.
Now, Pootie Tang (2001) is, hands down, one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. It's one that gets funnier every time you see it, imho. And while C.K. is listed as director and writer, I can only imagine how this thing was actually put together, because it seems like it was a bunch of late 90's stand-ups and comedic actors piling into a movie and doing bits. I would *love* to see a "how this was made" doc.
I am sure there are people who watch Pootie Tang and do not enjoy it, and those people are dead inside. Not everything lands, but the ratio of success is incredibly high. And clearly the direction was "I dunno, just do your bit" for most of the film, including for Robert Vaughn who is happily chewing scenery and absolutely gets what his role is here.
Anyway, it's a great chance to see a ton of folks you know from TV and elsewhere as they were riding their wave or just before they blew up. Heck, a teen-aged Kristen Bell is in the movie for about 20 seconds. But you've got JB Smoove, Jennifer Coolidge, Reg E. Cathey, Wanda Sykes and more. Star Lance Crouther didn't really do much more acting - which is a shame, man. He's incredibly funny and charismatic. Some of the comics aren't as big as they were, and I don't really know what happened to them - but I don't follow comedy. Back in the day, Laura Kightlinger and Dave Attell were huge in comedy. And both are still out there in various capacities and occasionally I'm still, like "hey! Is that Dave Attell?" when I'm watching a thing. But time, it does march on.
So, here's your unapologetic endorsement of Pootie Tang.
I have no idea what The Kids would think of this one. This may be my new litmus test.
Now this is the kind of hard-hitting coverage that keeps TSW in my RSS feed. Hell yes. "Pootie Tang" rules. We just watched it a few months ago (ma damie) as I was often telling the child that his "Piddy on da runny kine" might require a new diaper. Curiosity lead inevitably to a viewing. I don't know how this ever got green-lit, but I'm so glad it did, and I'm also surprised we never saw my main damie Lance elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteThere's a thoughtful low-toned podcast detailing "Pootie Tang" versus "Undercover Brother."
I haven't seen "Undercover Brother" since it was released on HBO, I guess. And I enjoyed it (but was immediately told by whomever I told I'd seen "that movie is terrible" - so maybe it is?). "Pootie Tang" crosses over so many genres, it's kind of a minor miracle of a film. I think it would also play well next to "Black Dynamite" in the "Black bad-ass with a conscience fighting The Man parody" genre of film.
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