The Obama Effect

"The Obama Effect" movie review Errrrfh...... No. After years of dry wit and the straight man to a sillier brother on TV's Roc, Mr. Dutton pretty much solidifies the idea that comedy is not his forte, not even dramatic comedy. His strongest suit are strong, believable characters that show vulnerability in the midst of great obstacles as was the case when he played a Detective in Secret Window, an astronaut in Aliens 3 and a bus driver in Get on the Bus. In this latest movie's attempt at humor, he and the film come across as Goofy, sometimes by nudge nudge design and sadly more often by happen stance. A top rate impersonation of the incumbent President that is helped by slick shadow filming is wasted in this venture. These cameos show what could have been. Dutton spends a bulk of the time in front of the camera as well as behind it, but honestly he is not a leading man. In the aforementioned films where he was utilized best, he was in and out as less is more. Dutton is not the only eye sore. Katt Williams does a minute and thirty second political monologue that falls flat and appears a minute and fifteen seconds too long. There is a cheap and cheesy Boxing subplot that seems tacked on giving the film a definite made for TV feel. Not even a good made for TV feel, but rather one of those fringe low budget cable stations. The premise of a major film that speaks of Barack Obama sounds promising. Pass on this one as this is not it.

I gave this movie a 7 which may be a little high BUT its due because I was truly shocked on how good this movie was. The movie has great acting on behalf of Katt and Charles S. Dutton, good script, lots of heart, its very engaging, and above all it triggers a emotional connection. Katt Williams can definitely do drama. He pulled off the right amount of funny and real as a Black Republican. Charles S. Dutton aka Roc does it again. He makes you laugh, cheer and fall in love with the story. I'm growing tired of my Black Movies having to be dumbed down in order to be entertaining. So I had low expectations, because the lack of advertising, had me flying blind. I almost thought this was gonna be the B-Level one step up from stage play. So glad to be wrong! Great camera work and flow of the story. I can guess why its not being advertised - ITS NOT FOR "EVERYBODY", BUT FOR WHO ITS FOR...ITS GREAT!!! I'm telling everybody to see this movie. I love the energy that I felt amongst the crowd as we exited the theater - It's a feeling that I won't soon forget :)