THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 3, 1994 TAG: 9411020070
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Movie Review
SOURCE: BY MAL VINCENT, MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
THE ``DROP'' of ``DROP Squad'' stands for Deprogramming and Restoration of Pride'' as enforced by a fictional bunch of African-American thugs who kidnap African-Americans who have assimilated into mainstream culture, become successful and are consequently accused of ``forgetting about their roots.''
After being kidnapped, the subjects are physically tortured and reminded of past racial atrocities. The idea is a repugnant and utterly defenseless one that clearly smacks of Adolf Hitler's SS troops and talk of ``racial purification.'' This movie has hate to sell, but, to give it credit, it avoids easy answers. Its ambivalence raises questions that are seldom raised in movies. As such, it is more worth discussion than it is worth seeing.
The main character is Bruford Jamison, a successful ad executive who has scored points with his mainstream bosses, we are asked to believe, by producing an ad for Gospelpak Fried Chicken in which two overweight black gospel singers are seen being served soul food by mincing black servants with Spike Lee as a guest star.
The commercial is so stereotyped that no real TV network would air it today. Within the movie, though, we are asked to believe that it would be considered quite effective in reaching the target audience and that consequently Jamison would be rewarded. He also has packaged a commercial for Mumbling Jack Malt Liquor.
To add to his sins, Jamison is supposedly ashamed of his family background - even though he is shown visiting relatives. He refuses to recommend an illiterate and unqualified cousin, a childhood pal, for a low-level job at his company because he would be embarrassed by the cousin's presence. This aspect could have been developed into a much better movie.
Assuming that Jamison has turned his back on his black origins, his sister calls the DROP Squad and turns him in, stating that ``it is time.'' The time, apparently, is for Jamison to be tortured into recalling his ``roots.'' As pictured, the DROP program includes recreations of racial atrocities of the past, including a throw-back to slavery and such.
The idea of the DROP Squad is indefensible, being yet another effort to sell hate. However, the film does raise questions about responsibility to past history vs. ``selling out'' for current success. It is a question of how one adapts. Is it wrong for Jamison to make any concessions?
The movie is so lacking in structure and real drama that it fails to develop these issues. First-time director David Johnson seems to touch all the bases but not stop on any for very long. His characters seem to want to avoid stereotypes but at the same time further them. Ads for his film yell, ``Come back, brother,'' but is he asking his characters to avoid success of the real world to cling to another world? Is he pushing past hatred instead of present success? Must a black man like Jamison sell out to be successful?
Eriq Lasalle of TV's new ``E.R.'' series is quite effective in the central role, although he is required mainly to be an onlooker. Ving Rhames and Vondie Curtis-Hall are the leaders of the DROP Squad. One believes in non-violent methods. The other claims that ``the times require violence'' to bring the brothers back. There is talk of an upcoming revolution.
The director suggests not the slightest hint of humor - even in the overwrought ``commercials'' within the film.
While crying for ``brain cleansing,'' the DROP Squad is really selling hatred. Ads for the movie promote the same type stereotyping the movie claims to eschew.
``DROP Squad'' has long speeches but lacks wit or perspective, and it fails to develop a subject that deserves a more thoughtful, realistic examination. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GRAMMERCY PICTURES
Bruford Jamison (Eriq Lasalle) is confronted by his siter Lenora
(Nicole Powell), who accuses him of betraying his racial roots in
``DROP Squad.''
MOVIE REVIEW
``DROP Squad''
Cast: Eriq Lasalle, Ving Rhames, Vondie Curtis-Hall
Director: David Johnson
Screenplay: David Johnson, Butch Robinson, David Taylor
MPAA rating: R (langauge, violence)
Mal's rating: one and 1/2 star
Locations: Greenbrier in Chesapeake; Circle 6 in Norfolk;
Lynnhaven Mall in Virginia Beach
by CNB