I Love Boosters

The power of film to make statements and to effect meaningful change is truly quite impressive. But it’s also possible for the impact of that influence to be diminished when a picture overstates its case, a problem that seriously hampers the latest feature from writer-director Boots Riley. This second offering from the filmmaker in many ways echoes themes introduced in his debut release, the deliciously satirical “Sorry To Bother You” (2018), with its poignant but deftly balanced messages related to social and economic fairness, personal ethics, and the business and political climate. However, in this case, the volume on these notions has been turned up considerably, to the point where it fundamentally screeches at the audience, no matter how much viewers may personally agree with the points the director is attempting to make. The film essentially follows the exploits of a group of “boosters” – designer clothing thieves – in the greater Oakland, CA area, led by aspiring designer Corvette (Keke Palmer) and her associates (Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige). They target the retail outlets of iconic clothing creator Christie Smith (Demi Moore), a notoriously self-absorbed, self-important designer of overpriced clothing that she sincerely though euphemistically looks upon as “body art,” an element that she believes is integral to the evolution and advancement of society. Smith has made a fortune through her efforts (many of which are less than honorable), but she quietly seeks more than money: she lusts for power and control over her loyal and easily bamboozled customers and overworked employees, many of whom toil under deplorable conditions in manufacturing sweatshops in China. As revelations surface regarding Smith’s methods, things turn both personal and focused on bigger social and economic causes, especially when supported by idealistic aims at reframing injustices in all of these areas. This sets up factional; battlegrounds on multiple fronts to address these issues. Regardless of one’s personal opinions, the premise here would appear to be a somewhat noble one. However, it becomes mind-bogglingly overwhelming and tedious through a narrative that loses its way by becoming overstuffed with images, superfluous story threads, and initiatives that are difficult to track and differentiate from one another. Consequently, it’s easy to lose interest, particularly when storylines turn silly and the basic distinctions between reality and fantasy become irretrievably blurred (surrealism is one thing, but this is wholly over the top). The need for ruthless editing (not to mention major script revision) can’t be emphasized enough, no matter how laudable the underlying inherent notions might be. To its credit, when the picture works, it often succeeds brilliantly, especially in some of its biting one-liners, inspired sight gags, and performances by the likes of Moore, Chinese employee advocate Poppy Liu, and retail store manager Will Poulter, who uncharacteristically plays against type in his usual bad ass persona. The film also sports a stunningly colorful production design that’s a vibrant feast for the eyes. But there’s a lot lost here as well, primarily the result of a cloying story that quickly becomes more annoying than enlightening, some surprisingly cheesy special effects, and the generally poor use of cast members LaKeith Stanfield, Don Cheadle and the trio of boosters. While it’s readily apparent that director Riley is genuinely gifted when it comes to the range of his vision, passion and imagination, it’s also equally apparent that he needs to be seriously reined in rather than let loose without restraint (there’s that notion of knowing “when to kill one’s darlings” again). Looking back at the virtues of his vastly superior debut effort would make for a good starting point, an exercise that might help the filmmaker get his artistic and storytelling sensibilities back on track. I’m convinced Riley ultimately has much to say of great importance, but he needs to find more effective ways to say it, and “I Love Boosters” is definitely not the vehicle for that.

This is a low-IQ movie written by a low-IQ dummy for the lowest IQ zombies walking this earth.

One of the worst attempts at an artsy movie I've ever watched (part of anyway). Several people in the movie theater got up and left and we eventually did as well. Full disclosure: We live in a very nice part of the city, not anywhere near the ghetto part of town. I am sure in the dumb part of town they thought it was valid entertainment.

So to sum up, the mouth-breathing knuckle-draggers walking around our planet will clap like seals for this, and the rest of us will just star in amazement at their utter stupidity. 1/10 total trash.

This was a very good movie. It's very smart and it's for smart people. I watched the full movie and understood the content very well.

Three words: What! A! Feast!

My my my, where to start? I went into this one not knowing exactly what to expect and was deeply skeptical given that I'm not a fan of fashion movies and I'd not seen any Boots Riley movie. However, just fifteen minutes into the movie, all my doubts were excorcised and it just got better and better to the end. I mean, for instance, how many movies have you watched recently that had literal soul-sucking demons that were fashion models and gold-star medalists at giving head?

Out of caution not to spoil any of this wonderful feast for the curious viewers, I will not say any more except just to note that it has all the makings of a cult classic and is a masterpiece of modern cinema in its own right. If you're looking for a sumptuous comedy that makes you laugh throughout and that also ingeniously critiques the hell out of this hell-hole that is our global capitalist reality created and upheld by shallow, pretentious, and greedy billionnaires, please make sure to watch this one. Lovers of fashion will also find plenty to keep them gasping and searching for air as will fans of Keke Palmer who, without a doubt, derserves several awards for her performance. Personally, I know I'm gonna be rewatching this gift of a movie quite a number of times and I also have Boots Riley's previous movie on my watchlist now.

Consequently, I highly doubt that any of the "reviews" trashing on this classic are from good-faith audience members who actually watched the movie. For some reason - maybe it's because of the movie's unapologetic critique of capitalism or because of its leads being powerful black women or something related - there seems to be a conccerted campaign to censor or undermine the movie. This, of course, is yet another reason to watch it cause, you gotta wonder, why don't some powerful companies and people don't want us watching it?

That said, the only things that made me not give this a 10/10 were its promotion of drug (including alcohol) use and its casting of Demi Moore, an actor who has shown support for the Israeli genocidal occuption of Palestine in the past. Nonetheless, Boots Riley's and Poppy Liu's shows of support for Palestine are enough to at least limit my disappointment with Moore's presence in it.