Title: American Pimp
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Lots of pimps
Director: Albert & Allan Hughes
Release: (1999)
Before my dear, old grandmother passed away a few years ago, she used to always try to impart to me the wisdom of her life. And if there was one thing I heard from her more than anything else, it would have to be these three words: “Pimpin’ ain’t easy.” But for those of you not fortunate enough to have such a wise mentor as my nana, no need to worry. Hollywood’s helpful Hughes brothers capture the essence of that message and deliver it for all to learn in their 1999 tribute to me, American Pimp. Allow me to hand it over to infomercial me for a moment to, might I say, “pimp” it (ahahahahahaha)
Thanks, reviewer me. Folks, let me talk to you for a minute about a little film that changed my life and can do the same for you. Here, for the first time anywhere, is the chance for you, the aspiring suburban pimp with no good role models to learn from, to hear the lessons of kingpimps* like Rosebudd, Kenny Redd, Fillmore Slim, and Don “Magic” Juan, among others. For just the price of one slim DVD, YOU can get all of this:
Lessons in avoiding rookie mistakes! Like getting your first girl on a Friday night and telling her to be ready to start Monday morning.
A taste of the pride you could bring your family! Just imagine it as you listen to Don “Magic” Juan’s mother gush over her son’s success.
Exclusive access to the Playa’s Ball! Your own private ticket to the annual pimp awards show that’s harder to get into than the Oscars, Emmys, Super Bowl and ESPY’s combined.
And much, much more!
Still not convinced? Just listen to what one satisfied viewer had to say:
American Pimp, is an interesting – if ultimately one-sided – glimpse into the real lives of real pimps. The film follows a handful of new playas and urban legends as they explain the history and science of pimpology. For many of the pimps featured, they just see themselves as hard-working entrepreneurs looking to make a better life for themselves and their families. The Hughes Brothers seem to pretty much indulge them in this belief completely, allowing them to expound freely on the debatable virtues and justifications of pimping, such as the theory that pimping only became illegal because “black men started making money, too.” The one-sidedness of the film may have been the only way to gain such complete access to a secretive world, but it also leaves the whole story glaringly incomplete. With the exception of a few women eager to please and praise their pimps on camera, the story from the prostitutes point of view is quite conspicuous by its absence. That being said, there are still several occasions throughout the film where this type of negotiated access allows the human side of the pimps to shine through, and reminds the viewer that nothing is just black and white.
Err, thanks, satisfied viewer. You really know how to close a sale. (Someone fire that guy). Alright, you heard it folks – American Pimp is an interesting … glimpse into the real lives of real pimps …[including the] virtues of pimping and … women eager to please…!
Hey, that’s not what I said. That’s out of context!
(Someone shut his mic off) Thanks again, satisfied viewer – and now it’s YOUR turn. Run, don’t walk, to your nearest video store right now and buy American Pimp!
Grading
Story: N/A
Acting: N/A
Visuals: N/A (Standard documentary mix)
Originality/Innovation: A-
Enjoyability: A-
Overall: A-
* Remember this review five years from now when this outstanding term, hereby coined by me, is all over your kid’s MP3 player and ultimately selected for inclusion in Webster’s increasingly silly dictionary.
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