tawandamusarurwa
Film Review
Tinashe Kusema
CHRIS Rock could very well be the smartest person in the room. Well, this is an argument that could be made.
For the past couple of days, the South Carolina native has been trending, after last week’s release of his debut Netflix special “Selective Outrage”.
But let us start by addressing the huge elephant in the room.
Here I am not necessarily talking about “the slap heard around the world”, as it has become known over the last couple of months.
When Will Smith decided to come to the defence of his wife and overreact over a “G.I. Jane” joke that Chris Rock made at last year’s Academy Awards show, he set off a chain reaction of events that has led to today’s Oscars and this special.
While Smith went on to win an Oscar himself, he instantly became public enemy number one, all the while dividing both the United States and the world.
Everyone who either witnessed the event live or replayed it, took a side – you were either Team Smith or Team Rock.
For the few who chose to defend the “Men in Black” actor, Smith was just a man defending his wife’s honour and Rock was in the wrong for poking fun at Jada Pinkett-Smith for her alopecia areata condition.
Smith had his moment, went silent for a couple of months and only addressed the issue in the lead-up to the release of his movie “Emancipation” late last year.
Conversely, Rock bid his time and refused both to comment on the issue and to accept Smith’s flimsy apology.
That was until last weekend’s “Selective Outrage”, which was recorded live and has received an unnecessary backlash from some quarters (mostly women).
I feel everything about the special has been nothing short of genius.
Firstly, Rock managed to negotiate a US$40 million deal for himself with Netflix for the special that he decided to shoot live in Baltimore a week before tonight’s 95th Academy Awards show (Oscars).
For those not in the know, Baltimore happens to be Pinkett-Smith’s home state and the special was released a week before the Oscars themselves.
Coincidence? I think not.
Rock actually says he pays particular attention to his specials.
What a way to have the last laugh!
But I digress.
For some reasons “unbeknown to me”, a certain section of the worldwide audience has decided to judge the entirety of the special on the last 10 or so minutes during which Rock actually addresses the Oscars debacle.
That is rather unfair.
It seems apropos that the special is called “Selective Outrage” because that is how those who seem to have an issue with the special will react.
In its entirety, the special is nothing short of a masterpiece.
Rock goes back to basics with both his delivery and presentation.
Only those familiar with his body of work, or have an appreciation for the art form, will notice some of the Easter eggs Rock drops throughout the special.
Some are from his earlier works like “Bring the Pain” and “Kill the Messenger”.
The fact that he chose to shoot live, rather than it be a series of shows that get edited before release, was both bold and misguided as evidenced by the joke he botches by confusing the movies “Concussion” and “Emancipation”.
With stiff competition in stand-up comedy, Rock needs to find a way to differentiate himself from the rest of the pack, and he is doing so.
In a world where Dave Chappelle has apparently elevated himself to greatest of all time status with his social commentary, Rock follows suit by addressing some topical issues.
Among these are Rock’s take on the LGBTQ community, “woke” culture, colourism, racism, and, of course, selective outrage.
Speaking of “selective outrage”, one of the most humorous arguments levelled against the special happens to be those infamous last 10 or so minutes aimed at Will Smith and his wife.
Some have argued that the Oscar incident happened a year ago and Rock needs to either let it go or seek professional help.
The stage is Rock’s therapy couch and those last 10 minutes of the special focus on the 58-year-old’s unleashing of 12 months of pent-up aggression and hurt the only way he knows how.
Targeting Pinkett-Smith – and during March, women’s month – seems crass and ill-advised. However, let us not pretend she is without fault in the whole issue.
For those who remember the matter, Smith initially found the joke humorous up until the side-eye.
After the incident, she was pictured smirking and smiling.
The two, Rock and Pinkett-Smith, have been at odds for years. This was not some comedian targeting a hapless woman, as some would want to believe.
Rock’s 10-minute tirade, as some have called it since, was more targeted at Will Smith than his wife.
However, those critical of the special have shown to ignore all that and harp on the parts he mentioned Pinkett-Smith.
In a word or two, “selective outrage”.
Twitter: @nashaar
Online Reporter