It’s not an easy task to direct a film that you also have a significant on screen role in. Sure, a couple of masters have done it. Mel Gibson… Clint Eastwood… and now I guess that Chris Rock can add his own name to that list again.
Chris has just signed on to direct a film he’s already slated to star in called “I think I Love My Wife”. This isn’t Rock’s first attempt at directing a film, he totally bombed with “Head of State”, a film that he also had the lead role. Didn’t work out so well for him then. Not sure why any studio would try the same recipe again. Our friend Josh Tyler reflects my own thoughts on this quite well:
Chris Rock is one of the funniest humans on the planet, but the guy can’t act a lick. Sometimes he gets away with it when given a smaller supporting role. He’s alright in Dogma for instance. But whenever he’s put front and center he’s exposed. He can’t act. He’s a terrible actor. As long as he’s the star, he’ll never make a movie that’s any good. If Chris Rock wants to make it as a director, he should fire himself and find a better comedic actor. If he wants to perform, the guy should stick to stand-up, where he’s absolutely genius.
In my opinion, Rock’s best on screen performance still came in Lethal Weapon 4 (I thought he was just hilarious in that), but once again that was a minor supporting role. This new project has disaster written all over it already.
The first Chris Rock-as-the-star movie I saw was Down To Earth. It was also the last.
Cast as Rock’s wife is Gina Torres (Serenity) and as an old flame is Kerry Washington (Fantastic Four), so I’m interested.
I have to agree with Josh. Yes, Rock is darn funny but I’m not convinced he’s dot what it takes to 1) Act in a leading role or 2) Direct a decent movie. I guess only time will tell!
I don’t have anything against Chris Rock, I quite liked his performance in Dogma and also in Jay and Silent Bob. But directing a movie is a totally diffrent story. I’ve never seen what he can do behind the camera but it doesn’t sound all to pleasing. Hey if this movie fails then he can retire from the directing business.
His turn as a crackhead in New Jack City was pretty good….. oh and who can ever forget “How much for an order of ribs?” (not saying that was good acting, but dammit it’s a funny scene.)