B*A*P*S: A Nod to the Fading 90s Scene
Directed by Robert Townsend
” There is no fortune worth the price of a true love. Some things are priceless.”
Mr. Donald blakemore
B*A*P*S, written by Troy Byer and directed by Robert Townsend, follows the lives of two women that have big dreams, no money, and an opportunity to make them come true. Whilst in Los Angeles for an unsuccessful audition they happen to have a somewhat of a dream come true moment. They are whisked away into a fabulous life of glamour as they awaken the dreams of a wealthy, dying man. There is minor conflict within the plot that resolves as quickly as it develops, but that’s neither here nor there. Martin Landau does wonderfully as the rich, old man Mr. B, and Halle Berry is comical as Nisi and her sidekick Natalie Desselle was just as chaotic as Mickey.
But more than anything this movie feels like a nod to the fading 90s African American scene given the attire, vernacular, music, and culture. There were special appearances with famous figures in black pop culture like LL Cool J, Bernie Mac, Heavy D and much more. I was a bit apprehensive about watching this film given the low ratings and extremely negative reviews. However, I find that the movie is not meant to be a cinematic masterpiece but, it functions wonderfully as a light-hearted comedy. The jokes are flat sometimes and the acting comes off as corny, but it was still enjoyable. I would re-watch again, if only to relish the nostalgia for a time I was not around to experience.
The Island Cinephile 
