Boogie [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray]

Ali Shaheed Muhammad Director: Eddie Huang, Taylor Takahashi, Taylour Paige, Pamelyn Chee Eddie Huang

Overview

Alfred "Boogie" Chin (Taylor Takahashi) is a talented high school basketball player from Queens, New York, who dreams of playing in the NBA. His parents, however, have a different plan for him: they want him to focus on getting a scholarship to an elite college instead. While already burdened with high expectations, he finds himself struggling more as he tries to navigate high school, a new girlfriend, and fierce on-court rivals. Written and directed by Eddie Huang.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/01/2021
UPC:	0191329159149
Original Release:	2021
Source:	Universal Studios
Language:	English

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Taylor Takahashi	Alfred 'Boogie' Chin
Taylour Paige	Eleanor
Pop Smoke	Monk
Pamelyn Chee	Mrs. Chin
Perry Yung	Mr. Chin
Jorge Lendeborg Jr.	Richie
Mike Moh	Melvin
Alexa Mareka	Alissa
Eddie Huang	Jackie
Dave East	Daymien Valentino
Daymien Valentino	Street Baller
John Orantes	Cage Referee
Sam Jules	Todd
Margaret Odette	Principal Kodak
Mister Fitzgerald	David
Zach Mellado	Midtown Tech #37
Ed Aristone	Officer Campos
Edmond Laryea	Duke Basketball Scout
Roman Perez	Basketball player
Tommy Bo	Terry
Matt Gorsky	Coach
Nathaniel Levin	Basketball Player
Alexandra Berti	Student
Michael Durodola	Mike
Ty Pauley	David
Anthony Ferrara	Basketball fan
Samantha Kudler	High school student
Judith Moy	High School Student
Jorge Lendeborg	Actor
Ben Davis	Josh
Adrian Younge	Composer

Technical Credits

Eddie Huang

Eddie Huang	Director,Screenwriter
Taylor Takahashi	Director
Taylour Paige	Director
Pamelyn Chee	Director
Josh McLaughlin	Producer
Rafael Martinez	Executive Producer
Rebecca Dealy	Casting

Editorial Reviews

Being the lead actor in a drama is no easy feat. Without a doubt, playing a widowed father who suffers the crippling loss of his wife and mother of his newborn child is, a challenge. After all, conveying the depth of such an emotionally tumultuous tragedy requires subtlety and vulnerability. Kevin Hart shoulders the heavy burden of portraying such a man in Fatherhood. Director Paul Weitz tries to orchestrate this dramedy, balancing the act of tugging at viewers' heartstrings and tickling their funny bones. The film is based on a memoir written by Matthew Logelin, which was adapted for the screen by Weitz and co-writer Dana Stevens. The movie starts off with the birth of Matt's daughter Maddy and the subsequent death of his wife and mother of his child. Viewers watch as he tries to navigate the aftermath the women in his family. After adapting to the life of being a primary caregiver to a newborn infant, the story skips ahead to Maddy as a kindergartener. From there, the story is propelled by Maddy's (modest) challenges fitting in at the Catholic school that she attends. Along the way, Matt meets a romantic interest (played by DeWanda Wise) who shares the same name as his late wife. Does the movie succeed as a tearjerker? Perhaps. The concept of a mother who dies shortly after childbirth is tragic in and of itself, yes. However, Hart's performance doesn't do it justice. Unlike Robin Williams-who also took a turn from comedies to dramas as Hart does here-Hart doesn't quite hit the emotional notes that's needed to move an audience during dramatic moments. There are moments in which he fails to convince viewers of the emotions that were meant to be conveyed: resoluteness and doubt in the face of fear, loss, and frustration. He lacks the voice and posture of the kind of man who has suffered a tremendous loss. As a result, audiences need to do the emotional work themselves. Hart's performance does pick up in the latter half of the movie though. Once the movie flashes forward past Maddy's infancy and into her kindergarten years, Hart is given the opportunity to perform alongside the jaunty Melody Hurd (who plays the 5-year-old Maddy). It's at this point that he slowly begins to take command of the screen. In a scene where he finally confronts his anger and frustration with the fate of his wife, viewers at last get to see a bit of range in Hart's performance. Fatherhood raises-ever so faintly-the question of how to make good decisions, and the fact that sometimes there aren't any right answers. But it doesn't manage to make much of a statement about its titular topic. Due to its lack of narrative focus, the movie has little to offer. The dramatic performances have a fair bit of room for improvement. And the comedic moments, while chuckle-worthy, aren't particularly hilarious or insightful. On the whole, it makes for an amicable movie, but is otherwise unremarkable. Viewers who like Hart's comedic presence and are interested in seeing his attempt at drama may enjoy the movie, but others who are in the mood for a story about fatherhood may find the film to be a touch shallow.