Who’s in it: Andre Benjamin (right), Antwan Patton (left), Paula Patton, Terrence Howard, Malinda Williams
What it’s about: In the musical drama set in the 1930s, nightclub owner Rooster (A. Patton) battles mobster Trumpy (Howard) while piano player Percival (Benjamin) falls for singer Angel (P. Patton).
Worth watching? (star)(star) 1/2
“‘Idlewild’ is kind of a mess. The wide range of sensibilities don’t always mesh, emotional notes (and a surprising number of musical ones) often fall flat, and some music-vid-style production numbers disrupt what little narrative drive [director Bryan] Barber gets going. … By the end … some ironic thematic twists come nicely into play, but they’re not enough to rescue a scenario that’s been both too predictable and too weird for much too long. But at least it ain’t the same old new jack.”