B.A.P.S. (1997)
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13% of critics liked it
(31 reviews) -
57% of users liked it
(8,117 ratings)
In this broad fish-out-of-water comedy, Nisi (Halle Berry) and Mickey (Natalie Desselle) are African-American women with two ambitions -- marry rich men who will give them lots of money, and open the world's first combination hair salon and soul food restaurant. However, eligible bachelors and… More In this broad fish-out-of-water comedy, Nisi (Halle Berry) and Mickey (Natalie Desselle) are African-American women with two ambitions -- marry rich men who will give them lots of money, and open the world's first combination hair salon and soul food restaurant. However, eligible bachelors and business opportunities are in short supply in Decatur, Georgia, so when Nisi hears rapper Heavy D is auditioning dancers in Los Angeles for an upcoming video and concert tour, the pair hit the road for California. They fail the audition but are approached by a man named Antonio (Luigi Amodeo) with a business proposition. Antonio is the chauffeur for Mr. Blakemore (Martin Landau), a millionaire in poor health. As a young man, Mr. Blakemore was in love with a black maid who worked in his household; Antonio and Blakemore's nephew Isaac (Jonathan Fried) think Nisi bears a resemblance to the girl Blakemore once loved, so they offer her a hefty payment plus room and board to pose as the granddaughter of Blakemore's lost love. Nisi and Mickey believe that this ruse is intended to make Blakemore feel better, but in fact Isaac wants to get his hands on his uncle's fortune, and he hopes that Nisi's presence will make him easier to manipulate. Meanwhile, Nisi and Mickey look like a hurricane that hit a cut-rate clothing store, so manservant Manley (Ian Richardson) teaches them social graces and gives them advice on how to dress. In time, Manley and Mr. Blakemore become friends with Nisi and Mickey; the men learn to be less stuffy and enjoy life, while the ladies become more respectable. B.A.P.S. stands for "Black American Princesses." ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- PG-13, 1 hr. 31 min.
- Directed By
- Robert Townsend
- Written By
- Troy Beyer
- Genres
- Comedy
- In Theaters
- Mar 28, 1997 Wide
- On DVD
- Jan 13, 2004
Critic Reviews
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Lisa Alspector, Chicago Reader
t's a celebration of bonds that are thicker than blood and demonstrates above all that fame-and-fortune fantasies can blur divisions of race and class as persuasively as they can exaggerate them.
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Emanuel Levy, Variety
Formulaic and distastefully fake, Townsend's modern fairy tale unsuccessfuly tries to combine the premise of Pretty Woman with the formats of the fish-out-of-water and culture-collision.
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James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Paying movie-goers deserve more, especially from someone who has previously shown signs of genuine comic aptitude.
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
It's good for a half-hour of humor before the fun starts to dissolve.
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Esther Iverem, Washington Post
A very funny movie.
Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Cast
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Halle Berryas Nisi -
Martin Landauas Mr. Blakemore -
Ian Richardsonas Manley
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Natalie Desselleas Mickey -
Troy Beyeras Tracy -
Luigi Amodeoas Antonio
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