|
House Party is an infectious and engaging comedy film starring a rap duo, one of them is named Kid and the other is known as Play. Kid wants to have a party in his home where he decides to showcase his dance skills. So together with his best buddy Play, they throw a secret bash on the night Play’s parents are vacationing away from home. The day of the party, Kid finds himself grounded as a result of getting into a school fight. Kid so badly wants to come to the party so instead of missing it he sneaks out in the night unknown to his father. While he is trying to make it to Play’s house, rival rappers from his school confront him. Kid is surrounded by adoring girls, but eventually he picks one whom he secretly desires. The theme of this film is similar to the rock and roll movies shot in the 1950s, but House party provides several turns and twists that keep you enthralled during the entire film. The direction done by Reginald Hudlin is very funny and solid. Both Kid and Play are terrific in their roles, but the father of Kid played by Robin Harris stands out among the rest. Robin Harris despite his few on-screen roles is a true comedian legend.
The Sundance – Film Festival welcomed House Party with open arms in 1990. This film was considered to be an effortless comedy based on the hip-hop era. House Party was independently produced by Reginald Hudlin and his brother Warrington Hudlin. It was a crossover movie that became more successful than similar films shown between the 80s and 90s. House party introduced teen audiences to style and language that was fast becoming a part of everyday culture. For instance, House Party focused on issues such as police harassment but made the plot a satirical one which gained a sardonic laugh from the audience. The Hudlins focused on the lifestyle of the African American middle class without taking away the conflicts which existed in America’s urban society at that time. The movie boosted the career of Tisha Cambell a little known actress during the 80s and 90s and both Martin Lawrence and Christopher Reid who play the roles of Kid and Play became popular during the time of the film, but found little work thereafter in that decade.
|
