Film Review: Director Mario Van Peebles Orchestrates ‘We the Party’

Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 6, 2012 - 3:42pm

CHICAGO – Mario Van Peebles is a second generation filmmaker, following the footsteps of his revolutionary director father, Melvin Van Peebles. In keeping with the family business, Mario has included his children in his latest film, “We the Party,” a high school movie about this particular time in history for youth and their culture, and the impact this era has on them.

Rating: 3.0/5.0

Highly stylized and voyeuristic, this film succeeds as a hopeful view of Los Angeles high school hijinks, updated for the mix of cultures that is the experience of the City of Angels. Where it is less successful is in the sermonizing, which doesn’t flow as naturally as the kids being kids. There is a moral to the story, but that morality is laced with sticky plot points that might play better for adults, but doesn’t gibe as organically in relationship to a younger perspective.

“We the Party” is about a group of high school friends who are living and learning during the second decade of the 21st century. Fictional Baldwin Hills High School is the setting for a mix of African-American, Hispanic and Caucasian youth. They’ve mastered the technology and knowledge that is available to them in the modern age, and are leading a revolution of the mind with the help of their teacher, Mr. Sutton (Mario Van Peebles).

Hendrix (Mandela Van Peebles) is the 16 year-old son of Mr. Sutton, and he has set his sights on Cheyenne (Simone Battle), a super-student whose father happens to be a policeman, Officer Davis (Michael Jai White). Between the antics of his friends, Hendrix has to learn the meaning of empathy, as one of his classmates C.C.(Rapper YG) struggles with petty crime and a gang related brother (Snoop Dogg). Meanwhile, an epic party is about to begin, and Hendrix thinks with the combination of hot rappers, music executives, his classmates and even C.C., this could be the way to Cheyenne’s heart.

“We the Party” has a limited release on April 6th, including Chicago. Check local listings for theaters and show times. Featuring Mario Van Peebles, Mandela Van Peebles, Maya Van Peebles, YG, Simone Battle, Michael Jai White and Snoop Dogg. Written and directed by Mario Van Peebles. Rated “R”