Top Five

Chris Rock plays a fictional version of himself, Andre Allen, a former stand-up comic who has apparently abandoned a life in comedy in favor of being a serious actor. Journalist Chelsea Brown (Rosario Dawson) lands an exclusive interview to find out why he’s now so serious, in spite of his performance being panned in his movie (the quote on the movie poster calls it “interesting”). Chelsea also wants the scoop on Andre’s pending marriage to socialite Erica Long(Gabrielle Union).

ClearPlay In Action!

ClearPlay filters a lot of content in Top Five, a movie that at its heart is somewhat sweet. But getting in the way are long scenes of simulated intercourse and nudity, a prolonged scene in a strip club, and a stand-up routine laced with blue material. ClearPlay cuts more than 200 instances of language, including many N-words and more than 80 F-words. The movie also deals with alcoholism in a constructive way. Because of some of the themes, it’s probably best for mature teens and older.

Will Top Five make my Top Ten?...

Even though there’s so much edited material in Top Five, and Rock leaves something to be desired as a believable actor, I found myself caring for him by the end of the movie. The film works best during scenes of banter, and there are a lot of those in what is probably Rock’s best movie so far.

Marty Nabhan, ClearPlay Comedy Cellar Dweller

Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity, crude humor, language throughout and some drug use; 102 mins; Directed by Chris Rock