Be Kind Rewind

Be Kind Rewind

On the surface, Be Kind Rewind is just a comedy. But, as the story progresses, it becomes so much more. It becomes a heart-warming drama about community and that shared history that community has. And that’s what is so enjoyable about this movie; it is two movies in one.

A rundown video store, that only carries videotapes, is in danger of being closed by the city. The city wants to move the people out and make way for Urban renewal. When the owner (Danny Glover) leaves to find a way to save his store, he puts Mos Def in charge of the store. In a strange turn of events, Jack Black’s body becomes magnetic and erases all the tapes in the store. Now, they take it upon themselves to recreate the videos using homemade methods.

The way they go about making these videos is charming and funny. You can see that these two characters love the films they’re creating, but just don’t have the skill level to make it the correct way. This portion of the movie is enjoyable and completely fun. It’s like seeing a bunch of Youtube people reproducing their favorite films. We grew up with these films, so we feel like they’re our own movies. And, I think that’s what writer and director Michel Gondry is trying to convey.

On the other end of the story, the movie is about the legend behind the Jazz player Fats Waller and the history he shared in the community this movie takes place in. The extension of the shared ownership of our favorite movies is connected to the shared history many communities have together. Both these movie themes converge into a touching 20-minute ending scene.

I enjoyed both themes in the movie, while I probably enjoyed the reproducing movies storyline better. Jack Black is simply playing himself in the movie, and that’s fine. Def is good in his role. Danny Glover is always good. I would have loved to have seen a Lethal Weapon joke though.

If you want a touching little film that celebrates films and community, rent this movie. You won’t be disappointed.

Grade: B+

Note: The magnetic field that Jack Black’s character emits is so powerful that it even disrupts the DVD player you’re watching the movie on. Every time he walks near the screen the movie starts to lose focus and get fuzzy. That’s a nice touch.

I loved the RoboCop bit
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Ghostbusters!
This is the funniest part of the film.
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Action!
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Jack Black attempts to sell his Tenacious D remixed tapes.