MisterWhiplash Melvin Van Peebles, from what I've seen from interviews and from the impression I get of him from Baadasssss!, was not always the most pleasant-natured guy, and loaded with attitude, but then how could he be, or couldn't be? Here's a man who had some clout following a moderately successful movie, Watermelon Man, and suddenly found himself in the cross-hairs of artistic and commercial perspectives: to make a full-on, unadulterated representation of a side not seen in the black community on film 'as-it-is', and appeal to a mass audience. Peebles knew he had a base, however, or at least knew he did in his gut somewhere, and went for broke, literally as well as figuratively, to get his little underground production from start to finish. It's in this context though that this film's writer/director/star, son Mario Van Peebles, goes further than his father even did in a way, albeit not attempting to break the ground his father did. There's actually some sort of very intrinsic stuff going on, and one wonders how self-reflexive (and a little disturbing in how frank it is) to see Mario Van Peebles playing his own father and involving himself, as a boy, in the production as the movie's hero losing his virginity at the age of 13. It's frankness, actually, is a virtue as opposed to something off-putting.Peebles has more resources technically than his father did, but there's more than that that makes Baadasssss! such a awesomely cool examination of a headstrong, half-crazy half-brilliant filmmaker and production story. There's a wonderful mix of abrasive, off-beat humor regarding culture (perceptions of black people in the business, of course, but also bits involving hippies, and old-time Hollywood people), and part of the fun comes in the actors and how they handle the attitude. The introduction of Melvin's security/boom-mic operator is one of those scenes. There's also great details revealed about the production itself, like the unresolved fate of a handgun on the set, or how a car-fire is dealt with and incorporated with a lot of calculated risk. Actually, everything Peebles took on with his film was a risk, and his son follows suit by not making it an exact dramatization either. Like Reds, he intersperses the narrative with 'interviews' with those involved, but with the actors playing the real-life characters, and then putting in Ossie Davis in the interviews not as Melvin (played by Mario's) father, but as Ossie Davis.If this sounds confusing, it really isn't. Peebles, the director/star here, handles this with a very smart handling of character in relation to the others underneath him, in how he sort of goes into a downward spiral as money runs out and he loses sight in an eye, and even how he can't distinguish between himself and his "Sweetback" persona. Peebles also implements a visual style that is a little crazy as well, but with a wam-bam sense of what works as opposed to what's done in a rush (ala the original Sweetback itself). And like Ed Wood, one sees how a filmmaker can get what he wants if he pushes his own conscience out of the way, even as things comically crumble around him- the difference here being that Melvin Van Peebles has at least some level of talent to go with his immense ambitions. There's also fine supporting work by Rainn Wilson as Peebles's hippie producer, David Alan Grier as the assistant director, Nia Long as Peebles's long suffering girlfriend, and Saul Rubinek as his agent. Peebles himself is also a very fine actor here, if a little self-conscious of his own father's ups and downs to portray.Loaded with self-importance that doesn't feel pushy, laughs that come out of genuine characterizations and dialog, and a sweet message to boot, this is one of the best films about what Truffaut called the joy and/or horror of a director making a film.

nobbytatoes Melvin Van Peebles has just finished his film Watermellon Man and he is planning his next film. Its about a black hustler who stands up for the black community. The film Union said it would never support the idea as the main character was a black man and they said no one will watch it. So Melvan decides to make it independently; pretending that its a porno so the union leaves him alone; though the film does have sex scenes. He puts together a make ship crew and they start off on a very short twenty day shot. Though from get go this film had problems that would have stopped it completely, but Melvin kept pushing and pushing till it was done. Melvin alienated everyone in the process, becoming so obsessed that his health started to wain and become threatening to his sight.When Sweet Sweetbacks Baadasssss Song came out; with a X rating, it became a massive hit with the black community and the community in general. It revolutionized cinema and independent film making. Baadasssss (title release in Australia) is a great insight of the making of this film. Part film and part mock-doc format, Mario Van Peebles has created a great homage to his father Melvin. The was a lot of controversy when SSBS came out due to its explicit sex and nudity, an opening scene of SSBS was where he used his son Mario in a sex scene. But more that it show a black man standing up against the white man. There was a great scene in Baadassss where they shot a scene of Sweetback bashing two crocked white cops. The black people were cheering while the white men were shifting awkwardly in their seats; it just said it all.Mario Van Peebles has done a great job at bring the story of his fathers struggle over his film. Mario played Melvin perfectly, and also used his son Khleo Thomas to play him. The rest of the cast is just spot on, Joy Bryant as Priscilla is perfectly eccentric, making every entrance a grandeur one. It was also great to see in the end credits some of the actual people how helped with the film; Bill Cosby was a major financial help, the band Earth, Wind, Fire who did the soundtrack of SSBS, and the film makers and other crew people.An awesome watch.

tksneffect I thought this movie really gave an insight to the black struggle in film and that Melvin and Mario are a credit to the film industry. Not only were they pioneers in the industry of indie film making, but they exuded that indelible American Spirit that you see faked out in so many other films. This film is real!!!! I also liked the persistence that came with it, this should inspire anyone with a vision or a dream to at all cost follow that dream and follow through to the very end, for the rewards are more than you can possibly imagine if you succeed in your goals. This is what great film making is all about, I implore anyone and everyone to see this movie!!!

killronan I just finished watching "Baadasssss!" and it was a spectacular movie watching experience. Not only was it a rich account of film history, but it was anengrossing story of a father and son and a human story about perseveranceand spirit. Mario Van Peebles is to be commended for this most thrilling film! It is shameful---and I can already predict this (let me also add that I hope that I am DEAD wrong!)--that Van Peebles will be ignored come Oscar nomination timefor his surefooted directing and dynamic acting. His performance of his father is honest and filled with a tremendous amount of respect and love. Simply put, it is his best screen performance to date. I cannot highly recommend this movieenough. "Baadasssss!" is audacious and a treat for those of us who lovemovies!!