Hide Article Text (OCR)
Spike Lee dials up controversy in phone sex filmBy CHILLShowtime Contributing WriterWOW! Just when you thought that director Spike Lee was beginning to be predictable with his movie subject matter, he reshuffles the deck and pulls a wild card from his sleeve. Though reminiscent of the film that originally brought him world wide notoriety She's Gotta Have It. Spike Lee stacks the deck with another outrageous female lead character in 'Girl 6 and then ups the ante.In conjunction with FOX SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES. Spike Lee is once again pushing at the parameters of his artistic urges in GIRL 6. starring Theresa Randle In a role that has at last given her the opportunity to fully shine.Randle ooze s like syrup on flap jacks in her role as a phone sex operator who momentarily loses sight of her dream to become an actress For the life of me Icouldn't exactly tell you what possessed Lee to make a film about phone sex, but his choice of Randle as the intoxicating Girl 6 is guaranteed to have 1-900 numbers jumping off the hook all over town Previously seen as Martin Lawrence'swife in the film Bad Boys. Wesley Snipes main squeeze in Sugar Hill. and Denzel's brief fling in Malcolm X. the pretty face of Theresa Randle is becoming more and more recognizable to film goers as time goes by In GIRL 6. Randle spreads herself like butter over each andevery scene while maintaining a certain coolness that is ever present in all her roles to date.Although no actual depictions of sex occur in the film, the talk of sex during the film is hot and heavy This is definitely not a movie outing for children or people withsensitive ears, in fact, there were a few things said on screen that made my head turn sideways (It was a good thing I was taking notes, strictly for review purposes of course) During the debut screening of the film, a few parents were seen making early exits from the theater because thetalk wa$3jfit too graphic for the kids theyidd And though I agreed withtheir choice to sensor what their children are allowed hear while viewing the film. Icouldn't help but wonder if all of themwould have taken the same stand on their child's behalf if the film had of been about drugs, crime and violence.As a director. Spike Lee s against the gram style, that had once branded him an outsider in Hollywood, has now caused him to be en vogue within those same circles The Hollywood elite showed up in force to make cameos in GIRL 6.The film opens with acclaimedwriter/director Quentin Tarentino playingTHERESA RANDLE as Girl 6“ in the Spike Lee film of the same name. Now showing at local theatres.a nefarious director referred to as QT. It is in this scene that Randle balks at theidea of exposing her breasts during acasting call for QT’s latest film. She ftndsherself being admonished by QT for her apparent naivete, which is followed by a further and even more thorough admonishing by herintensely passionate and humorously dramatic acting coach.Super Model. Naomi Campbell plays Girl 75 Campbell s character shows up for a phone sex pep talk wearing a tee-shirt that says Models Suck, and later convinces Randle's character to puff up some happy tobacco with her during a bathroom break Other cameos include Halle Berry portraying herself, Madonna playing the leader of an extra kinky phone sex operation, John Turturro as Murry the Agent, and Talk Show host Rolanda as TV news reporter Nita Hicks. And if you look carefully you may catchthe brief appearance of Shaker Hgts/Cleveland Hgts alum. Paula Jai Parker near the films conclusion.As usual. Spike manages to find anice role for himself in the in the films plot Lee portrays Girl 6 s out-of-work nextdoor neighbor Jimmy. With no real ambition to get a job for the purpose of paying his rent, Jimmy's life collateral is based on him hoarding an impressive stash of Negro league and Major league Baseball memorabilia and collectibles.Seeing that his talented neighbor isemotionally entangled in the fantasy world of phone sex. Jimmy appeals to her to disconnect her newly found gig (Jimmy has his own descriptive title for the art of phone sex) and continue her acting career Falling deeper and deeper into this fantasy world, Girl 6 becomes mentally and symbolically attached to a newsstory about a little girl who had fallen down an elevator shaftSetting the tone for almost everythingthat takes place m GIRL 6, is asoundtrack comprised entirely of songs by the artist formerly (or is that back topresently?) known as Prince. The combination of the film s seductive content and old school Prince tunes, long known to have maintained a kinky edge, make, for a perfect matchOften lapsing into theatrical day dreams. Girl 6 envisions herself in the roles of Cleopatra Jones/Foxy Brown. Dorothy Dandridge in Carmen Jones. and Thelma from the television show Good Times.”In the daydream sequence as Thelma, Spike crosses sitcoms and makes George and Ouise Jefferson her parents, with Spike himself portraying the funky dancing George Jefferson Now I will admit that her rendition of Carmen Jones was kmda shaky (Dorothy Dandridge may have been a little bit to lofty for her), but her Cleopatra Jones mixed in with Foxy Brown was right on point, karate kicks and allThe nature of GIRL 6 will certainly continue the on going criticisms of SpikeLee s representation of Black women in film, but as for now it may go unaddressed Though after seeing the film one may have to concede that the character of Girl 6, despite what many would consider a demeaning situation, was by no means a victim, and was in total control of her decisions and herdestiny. Eventually it was that control of her own life that helped Girl 6 finally get her lifeback on track. The sex talk ring of women was professionally and caringly run by Lil (Dawn Lewis). The working environment was far from the dark and seedy porno den s that come to mind when thinking of sex talk shops The placelooked like a posh lounge and theelevator had disco lights iQjpfThe placelooked very much like somewhere that I could hang out at (I really could), and Girl6 showed up to work everyday lookinglike a fashion model.GIRL 6 is not for kids or people with shy ears. And yes. it may have over glorified the sex talk profession But all inall it marked the return of Spike s old school artistic flavor (and yes, he did that little rolling walking thing) as well as finally letting Theresa Randle strut her stuff.I thought GIRL 6 was visually outstanding. musically intriguing, and as far as the dialogue is concerned. I was touched by it (artistically of course!).* W'
Newspaper Details
Call and Post
Cleveland, Ohio, US
Thu, Apr 04, 1996
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Rotten T.
USA 29 Mar 2022
Other Publications Near Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland Enakopravnost
Cleveland Echo Wochenblatt Der Vereinigten Deutschen Socialisten Clevelands
Cleveland Dirva Field
Cleveland Daily Leader
Cleveland Ohio Farmer
