Review Roundup: Chris Rock Stars in TOP FIVE

Written and directed by Chris Rock, the new comedy film TOP FIVE opens today. Rock also stars in the film as Andre Allen, an ex-comedian trying to prove himself as a serious actor.

Though his attempt at an earnest historical film is panned by critics, Allen remains in the spotlight due to his engagement to reality star Erica Long (Gabrielle Union). But after agreeing to an interview with a no-nonsense journalist (Rosario Dawson), Allen finds his career and life heading in a completely different direction.

TOP FIVE stars Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson, GABRIELLE Union, Hayley Marie Norman, Karlie Red, and Kevin Hart, featuring cameos by Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, Tracy Morgan, Cedric the Entertainer, and Whoopi Goldberg.

Let's see what the critics had to say!

Scott Foundas, Variety: After a couple of ambitious but middling first attempts ("Head of State," "I Think I Love My Wife"), Rock has finally found a big-screen vehicle for himself that comes close to capturing the electric wit, shrewd social observations and deeply autobiographical vein of his standup comedy.

Jordan Hoffman, Vanity Fair: Rock clearly opened a vein and poured all he had into this one. It's possible that he's drained and has not much else to say. Hopefully that's not the case and this is merely "first" film from a major director-a bold voice that we've already known and loved for years.

Matt Barone, Complex: A quintessential crowd-pleaser, TOP FIVE is TIFF 2014's most broadly appealing and swiftly entertaining world premiere. It's Chris Rock's Annie Hall, but instead of Woody Allen's Big Apple neuroses and smaller scale, TOP FIVE is made for a generation raised on reality TV, rap music, and glossy pop culture.

Catherine Shoard, The Guardian: TOP FIVE is a film broad and filthy enough for multiplex appeal, but also sufficiently arch to satisfy those who fancy themselves a little more sophisticated.

Jordan Mintzer, Hollywood Reporter: ...with this latest work, Rock takes things to another level, letting his terrific stage monologues infuse a midlife crisis narrative that recalls the Manhattan-set tales of Woody Allen and the entertainment industry sendups of Larry David...

Drew McWeeny, HitFix: "Top Five" is, above everything else, really entertaining. It is a successful sophisticated spin on Hollywood formula, and it feels like Chris Rock finally finding a filmmaking voice that is just as limber and funny and sharply satirical and angry and even romantic as Rock's stand-up.

Eric Kohn, Indie Wire: "Top Five" doesn't just explore the challenges of finding creative satisfaction, but owes its existence to some of the people faced with that very question. In spite of its silly attitude, the movie asks real questions about the tension between show business and artistic desire.

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