Growing up in the early 90s, one of the biggest and funniest programs airing on network television was a little show called “In Living Color”. What made the show so unique is that along with talented comedians like Jim Carrey, the cast was also comprised of most of the the Wayans family. While Keenan Ivory Wayans hosted the show, the breakout Wayans brother was Damon Wayans. From characters like ‘Homey the Clown’ and one half of ‘The Homeboy Shopping Network’ as well as ‘Men on Films’, Damon Wayans quickly proved to be one of the shows most valuable players.
The film follows conman Johnny Stewart as he meets a young woman named Amber one day and wants to impress her. Unfortunately, the only way to impress her seems to be to go legitimate and get a real job. Johnny gets a job in the mailroom where Amber works. Johnny becomes convinced that he needs to have money to keep Amber in his life so he steals credit cards that were returned from people who passed away he received in the mailroom so he can afford fancy things. After a shopping spree, his boss Keith finds out and makes him steal credit cards for him or he will turn him into the police (as it turns out, he planted those cards in hopes Johnny would use them so he could have leverage on him). After Johnny helps Keith out a few time, he decides to quit while he is ahead. Meanwhile, Johnny’s conman brother Seymour decides to use a stolen credit card and gets caught by the police. Seymour agrees to wear a wire and catch Keith but is instead held hostage by him. Johnny must now rescue his brother from his sinister boss.
Before I watched this movie to review it, I had never seen this film before butI had always been curious about it being a big “In Living Color” fan. I know the film wasn’t well received upon it’s release but a lot of comedies don’t fair well with critics. So what did I think of the film? I didn’t hate the movie nor did I think it was hilarious. The movie didn’t wow me but it kept my attention and there were a few moments that made me chuckle. I definitely see why critics ripped this movie apart. Damon Wayans was fresh off “In Living Color” and was hilarious in the show, you very much expect a lot from a comedic performer in their prime and this movie felt a bit lazy. The film was filled with cliches and humor that fell a bit flat. That being said, looking at it through a nostalgic lens, seeing all the 90s fashions and trends definitely made me reminisce about the time period depicted on film.
With the inclusion of characters like Anton Jackson and Blair Edwards, the film feels like an attempt to make an “In Living Color” movie in the same vain Lorne Michaels managed to turn “Saturday Night Live” skits like “Coneheads” into motion pictures. I mean, the title even came from a phrase used often on ‘The Homeboy Shopping Network’. To some degree, I feel like not making this film a direct “In Living Color” tie-in was a bit of a missed opportunity. If the film focused on one of Damon’s hilarious characters, I think the movie would have faired better.
The film is notable for being the first film to address the subject of identity theft (this film was made before the term ‘identity theft’ was even coined). It was also the film debut of one of the original kings of comedy, Bernie Mac. Marlon Wayans, Damon’s real life little brother, plays his little brother in this film. Marlon had only appeared in one film before this movie. It was also fun to see a young Harry Lennix play a nerd. Typically now, Lennix plays commanding military figures.
“Mo’ Money” isn’t a terrible movie and as at times good for a laugh or two but it isn’t the comedy classic Damon Wayans was capable of making. The film is interesting to watch as a crash course into 90s fashions however. One thing about the ending of this film that I noticed though, why did so many 90s films feature main characters outrunning pursuing cars.
Grade: C
No comments:
Post a Comment