Spike Lee's CHI-RAQ is Angry, Absurd, Alive (Review)

How often do we get to see films that are truly passionate, straight from the heart? I'm not talking about just powerful stories that move filmmakers on an emotional level. I mean, films that burst with inner rage and joy, and abundant personality. How often do we get to see films that are about something not in an ironic or metaphorical way but in a direct, confrontational way?

Director Spike Lee (Do the Right Thing, Inside Man) has made a vibrant, exciting, infuriating movie Chi-Raq, and it's a film where rage and passion overflow and overcome the viewer. Based on the Ancient Greek play Lysistrata by Aristophanes, Spike Lee co-wrote the film with Kevin Willmott (Jayhawkers). Chi-Raq stars rapper/actor Nick Cannon, Teyonah Parris, Angela Bassett, John Cusack, Wesley Snipes, Jennifer Hudson, and Samuel L. Jackson.

Narrated by Dolemites (Jackson), Chi-Raq tells the story of inner city Chicago, where gang violence has turned the area into a war zone. Dubbed "Chi-Raq" (combining Chicago and Iraq), the gang war is between two rival gangs, led by an up and coming rapper Demetrius aka Chi-Raq (Cannon) and the one-eyed gangster Cyclops (Snipes). When Chi-Raq's girlfriend Lysistrata (Parris) witnesses the death of a young girl in the street, she decides to take action. With the help of wise Miss Helen (Bassett), Lysistrata leads all the girlfriends of gangsters on both sides of the war into a sex strike: no peace, no pussy. Meanwhile, the mother of the young girl who was killed Irene (Hudson) struggles to get some information on her baby's killer, with the help of neighborhood pastor Father Mike Corridan (Cusack).

Spike Lee directed Chi-Raq like a musical. Though the film does not feature any straight musical numbers outside of a rap performance, music, dance, and rhythmic movement play a key role. Dialogue is spoken in poetic verse, like a song. The film is theatrical, with music conveying complex emotions, and scenes that take place in one location (or cross-cut with another to evoke comparison and rhyming). Chi-Raq has a large supporting cast with comedians, musicians, and character actors who act like members of a chorus or ensemble.

The film is an absurdist satire. While sex strikes are a real thing that have popped up from time to time, Chi-Raq offers some goofy antics. There's a part where the girls lock themselves up in an armory, and the guys--horny and desperate--try to seduce them by blasting 70s ballads. And it works to a point! Spike Lee and Kevin Willmott really take things to the extreme. Not all the comedy works. Some of the gags feel a bit overly broad. Because the themes are serious and heavy, the comedy doesn't land all the time.

The film features a really strong cast of good actors. Nick Cannon puts in a remarkable performance as Chi-Raq, the embodiment of toxic masculinity culture. Teyonah Parris is fierce and incredible, nailing the comedy parts and the passionate speeches she makes. Angela Bassett, Sameul L. Jackson, Wesley Snipes, and the other supporting characters are unique and fully realized. The film allows for a wide range of opinions, ideas, solutions, and personalities to be heard. A movie like this had the potential to become a preachy mess, but instead offers many perspectives. Sure, some of the sexual politics feel a little retro, but they felt authentic to the story Lee wants to tell.

 I liked that some of the women were against the sex strike, that the men were clueless about how to react, and that gang war isn't always a clear cut issue. There are a lot of factors that play into it: lack of funding, institutionalized racism, and the cycle of violence. While parts of Chi-Raq feel like a mouthpiece for Spike Lee's anger, he offers enough varying voices to make the film feel alive and personal.

One of the best parts of the film is a sermon that John Cusack delivers. It's an incredible scene, where Cusack gives a full-bodied delivery of an exceptionally angry but righteous monologue. Another great scene is where some of the men get into the armory and Teyonah Parris delivers a powerful, incisive monologue about women's experiences right to the camera. Lee isn't afraid to break the fourth wall because his messages and ideas have to be heard.

Chi-Raq, as mentioned above, isn't a straight musical but music plays a huge part in the film. The centerpiece song is "Pray 4 My City," a riveting rap song about the harsh reality of inner city Chicago. Lee puts the song in the beginning, with the lyrics appearing on the screen. It's a really clear, loud statement about the movie and its intentions. I doubt Chi-Raq will get much awards attention, but "Pray 4 My City" is the best shot

Chi-Raq is messy, the comedy is over broad, and the filmmaking isn't as elegant as Lee's previous work (this is no Do the Right Thing). I realized I hardly talked about the film's visual palette, but there isn't a lot to say. The film offers some well-choreographed sequences, particularly the crowd scenes, but the film is more interested in dialogue and character. I can recommend Chi-Raq because it's an important movie but I don't think it's for everyone. If you're interested in seeing something ambitious and frenetic, with some important ideas then Chi-Raq should be seen flaws and all.

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