THE ONLY THING WHITE IS THE HOUSE.
When a presidential candidate is killed in an accident, Washington alderman Mays Gilliam (Chris Rock) becomes his replacement. This is Rock’s big vanity project, much like Harlem Nights (1989) was Eddie Murphy’s. But it’s one piece of political satire that doesn’t fly and that’s because the director is inexperienced and the writers haven’t cracked funny enough jokes; choosing a safe and boring formula doesn’t help. It’s much better when Rock’s character starts ranting about the state of the nation; that’s when the stand-up comedian is right at home.Â
2003-U.S. 95 min. Color. Directed by Chris Rock. Screenplay: Chris Rock, Ali LeRoi. Cast: Chris Rock (Mays Gilliam), Bernie Mac (Mitch Gilliam), Dylan Baker (Martin Geller), Nick Searcy, Lynn Whitfield, Robin Givens… Tracy Morgan.
Trivia: Co-produced by Rock.