Idlewild – Review

Georgia, 1935, prohibition. All the world’s a stage, where you get one shot. Can’t go back and change things. There are roles to play everywhere. Even at a funeral, which is where young Percival Jenkins Junior, or PJ (André 3000), and Rooster (Big Boi) meet. PJ’s funeral home running protective father keeps him inside most days and dislikes Rooster’s influence.

While Percival’s aunt attempts to instill piano lessons, PJ’s mind descends into creativity making the notes on the sheet turn into an animated play, dancing around in front of him. Young Rooster meanwhile liked singing, and gambling. They both stuck to their respective family businesses, learning trades of funeral homes and bootlegging, and aging into young men.

These two kids from totally different sides of the tracks had one main connection: music. As they grew, they remained friends, Rooster and his wife shooting out 5 kids, and PJ taking care of his elderly father and family business. By day they hustle, by night both men play gigs at a club named Church, run by a man who goes by Sunshine Ace (Love).

PJ lays piano tracks, rooster raps and the crowd dances all night, boozing it up. Naturally Church is a perfect melting pot of nefarious characters and storylines as bootlegging, money, power, gangsters and slick vibes collide. One night, gangster mogul Spats (Rhames) is looking to sell his operation and retire. Will Ace step in, or perhaps other local thugs like Trumpy (Howard), or Rooster? Or maybe it will all descend into violence.

Idlewild is a creatively and stylistically shot tale of crime, family, love, friendship and the spotlight. It has a strong focus on music, and choreography, and considering the cast this makes sense. Those thinking this is just one long music video should be pleasantly surprised by a decent enough story to hit the end credits. Don’t be an outcast, come hang with the introverted PJ and the suave showman Rooster.

I have seen virtually no musicals so it’s hard to compare this to anything story wise.