1987 film by Robert Townsend
Hollywood Shuffle is a 1987 American satirical comedy film about the racial stereotypes of African Americans in film and television. The film tracks the attempts of Bobby Taylor to become a successful actor and the mental and external roadblocks he encounters, represented through a series of interspersed vignettes and fantasies. Produced, directed, and co-written by Robert Townsend, the film is semi-autobiographical, reflecting Townsend's experiences as a black actor when he was told he was not "black enough" for certain roles.[3]
Plot
Bobby Taylor is a young black man aspiring to become an actor. His younger brother Stevie watches him prepare to audition for a part in Jivetime Jimmy's Revenge, a movie about street gangs which is so full of stereotypes that the light-skinned black actors who audition are cast as Latino gang members and have to speak with cartoonish Spanish accents. Bobby's grandmother overhears the "jive talk" of Bobby's lines and expresses disapproval. His mother is more supportive, but Bobby's grandmother says that if he desires a respectable job, there is honest work at the post office. Bobby assures his mother that if he lands the part, their lives will change for the better.
After the audition, Bobby talks to Mr. Jones, who questions Bobby's dedication to his job at Jones's restaurant, Winky Dinky Dog, because Bobby frequently misses work so he can attend auditions and casting calls. A limousine arrives, and its passenger is B. B. Sanders, a famous actor who plays a stereotypical black comedy character, Batty Boy, in the popular television sitcom There's a Bat in My House. Ecstatic to meet a potential role model, Bobby asks Sanders how to determine if a role is worth taking. Sanders says if Bobby's character does not die, then "it's a good script." He tells Bobby that acting is not about art, but making money through sequels, merchandising, etc.
Bobby's agent calls to say his audition went well, and he got a callback, but the producers want an "Eddie Murphy-type". That night, he has a nightmare in which the director, writer, and casting director hound him to become Eddie Murphy. Waiting in line with a group of Eddie Murphy clones, Bobby starts turning into Eddie Murphy himself and then wakes up in shock.
The next day, Bobby's restaurant co-workers, Donald and Tiny, tell him he will never succeed as an actor, so Bobby quits Winky Dinky Dog. Later that night, he visits his uncle Ray, a singer who gave up a chance at stardom to take a "real" job and provide for his family. Bobby expresses doubts about pursuing acting, but Ray encourages Bobby to follow his dreams. During his callback, the director, writer, and casting director are thrilled at Bobby's performance, and he wins the lead role.
After getting the part, Bobby begins to experience attacks of conscience that manifest as daydreams based on what people around him are saying or doing, including one ("Black Acting School") where white coaches teach black performers how to act "more black", and one ("Sneaking Into the Movies") where two young black men gain entry to a theater without paying and review films that spoof popular titles à la At the Movies, including Amadeus Meets Salieri, Chicago Jones and the Temple of Doom, Dirty Larry, and Attack of the Street Pimps.
At home, Bobby is celebrating with his girlfriend Lydia when his grandmother arrives. The three of them watch a film noir, which causes Bobby to fantasize about playing the lead in his own film noir, Death of a Breakdancer. That night, Bobby dreams of the roles that he wants to play, from a Shakespearean king, to a black superhero, to a black version of Rambo ("Rambro"). His final dream depicts him winning his fifth Oscar. The next day, Bobby starts filming Jivetime Jimmy's Revenge with his family in attendance. His guilt about playing a stereotypical character finally overwhelms him, and Bobby quits. Another cast member who previously complained about the stereotypical film hypocritically takes over Bobby's part, but Bobby and his family leave the set with their pride intact.
In the closing scene, Bobby is completing preparations on a different set for an on-camera scene that is about to begin. In an echo of his grandmother's earlier admonition, Hollywood Shuffle ends with Bobby filming a TV PSA for the US Postal Service.
Production
Townsend financed the film himself using his own saving and multiple pre-approved credit card applications, raising an estimated $60,000 to $100,000.[4][1] The film was shot over two and half years, with twelve days of filming.[5][1] Townsend would rent camera equipment on Thursday, say they were shooting on Friday, and return the equipment on Monday, getting three days shooting for the cost of one.[5]
The Los Angeles Times said the movie cost "less than $1 million" and later said it cost $400,000.[6][7]
Reception
Critical response
The film was generally well-received. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes 88% of 32 reviews were positive, with a rating average of 6.5 out of 10.[8] On Metacritic it has a weighted average score of 74% based on reviews from 14 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[9]
Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times called the film "an artistic compromise but a logistical triumph, announcing the arrival of a new talent whose next movie should really be something."[4] Richard Harrington of The Washington Post calls the film "a funny, poignant and technically proficient film."[10]
The film has been criticized for its use of stereotypes of women and homosexuals.[11] Jami Bernard of the New York Post claims that Townsend is "passing the buck," addressing the misrepresentation of black Americans, but maintaining stereotypes of other groups of people, such as the image of the stereotypical homosexual hairdresser.[12] Harriet Margolis claims that "Townsend ignores gender issues, thereby weakening certain aspects of his own attack on Hollywood's misuse of stereotypes."[13]
In 2023 Townsend said "I never want to hurt anybody or anything [...] we were just being comedians going for any joke that was on the table" but with hindsight there were certain jokes that he would not do now.[5]
Accolades
1987 Deauville Film Festival[14]
- Grand Special Prize (Critics Award) — Robert Townsend (winner)
1988 Independent Spirit Awards[15]
- Best First Feature — Carl Craig, Robert Townsend (Nominated)
