MovieChat Forums > Brown Sugar (2002) Discussion > I'm black and I thoght this movie was no...

I'm black and I thoght this movie was not only raceist but pretty awful

posted 14 years ago by back-1990
17 replies | jump to latest

This movie was kind of slow from the start. I watched it on bet because some times I like watching theses "Black movies" from time to time just to mix it up. Well I personally hate most black movies.

The problem with this movie is I don't see where the whole over used "Hip Hop saved my live" thing falls into place. The whole damn movie this women is talking about how hip hop is a big part of her life but aside from like one scene with a club or something this movie has nothing to do with hip hop. Its like when you watch Every body hates chris. You will notice that the show is based in the 80's and about 40% of the show is making sure you know that by playing 80's classics over and over as if some how this tells the watcher "OH! this is the 80's! haha I remeber that song" as if its so damn hard to remember that in the first place or like I keep forgetting that. This movie never brings up the growth of hip hop aside from a few scenes of her growing up and seeing a brakedanceing battle or a rap record. If your going to make a movie about hip hop do it right don't just mention Flat tops and b boys a few time.

Also. This is one of those raciest black films that portrays (As some one said before me in another thread) Black people not being able to hold up a relationship. I find that absurd. In every black film there is some stupid scene where the black male cheats on his lover but by the end of the movie its all good and they get back together. I mean come the hell on. Could writers not thing about any thing else that might split a couple up? Movies like this make blacks look bad even if they are supposed to be romantic by having the relation ship peaceful at the end. And since most black film makers suck they will stoop even lower and put black face in their film so whites and blacks will watch it. Because lets face it, it takes no talent to have a black women say "Oh hell nah" about 50 hundred times.

[–] CSGBarnes 14 years ago

I didn't finish reading your post... it's too long. As far as I got was "This movie was kind of slow from the start. I watched it on bet because some times I like watching theses "Black movies" from time to time just to mix it up. Well I personally hate most black movies. "

But you're not black, I can't stand when people post I'm black just before they post some bs about how a movie is racist or how they can't stand certain things about blacks, etc.... just stop it

[–] alvaro-jneto 14 years ago

He probably is black, but for some reason he feels like him being black validates his view.

Also concerning how he seems to feel like he is an enlightened black person, that doesn't get easily entertained by these "Black movies".

[–] Bandit_On_the_Loose 13 years ago

I agree with previous posters. Also, this is not a documentary; the music was simply a backdrop to the central story.

[–] rashadmrt 13 years ago

I agree with all the posters except for the first one. Seeing as how "Brown Sugar" is my favorite movie maybe i can shed some light on what the movie is about. Of course the movie comes on being about hiphop but the concept behind it is the two main characters, Syd and Dre, being hiphop. The movie follows them and is about them but also tells the story of how hiphop changed over the years, but if you pay attention to the story line and how Syd talks about hiphop, you would find that she's talking about Dre throughout the entire movie. Now, as for the references to hiphop, they make more than just 2. The flashbacks to their childhood are not the references at all.

As far as the movie portraying black people in a negative way, it doesn't even do that. I'm sure if it where a "White Film" with the exact same concept and story line you wouldn't be saying that its racist at all cause lets face it, every white movie has a crook thats more messed up than the "Black Films" generally bring. Finally, everyone in Dre and Syd's life knew that they loved each other more than anything in the world except for them so the fact that they light weight cheated on their spouses was completely overlooked because they knew it would happen, it was just a matter of time.

I hope this cleared up all the confusion.

[–] lenegal77 12 years ago

I'm white and I have watched this movie numerous times. Yes, Dre and Syd are hiphop. Talking about hiphop changed is the story of how they changed. Talking about their love of hiphop is talking about their love for each other.

No negative playing of blacks in this movie. Then again, I absolutely adore Taye Diggs.

[–] chelcito787 13 years ago

Aw come on , this movie is amazing. THe story is amazing, "best friends, with so much in common, and then they fall in love" its a typical story... very common, it just shows how strong relationships are formed and how they are kept.

[–] Thespear 13 years ago

I agree with chelcito. Not only is this a really good movie, but even with it's mostly black cast it tells a story that is really non racial. True, the movie attempts to show a black urban culture which even Lathan and Diggs do not completely authentically reflect, however that culture could be ANY culture..is what I think the movie is saying. I have watched it several times and came here to find out who was behind it because on my later viewings I noticed all the clever references to things having nothing to do with a particular race (the Bogart references etc). It is the REALLY romance story that is the point.

Indeed, this movie contrasts very much with the "typical" black cast movie. I think it is a very underrated movie. It is better than "When Harry met Sally" an would PROBABLY have made more money if it was promoted better.

"We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are". Nin

[–] tyler_ralph 12 years ago

Do you mean thought and racist?

[–] angryblackgirl666 12 years ago

Oh my God. You said...

"...This is one of those raciest black films that portrays (As some one said before me in another thread) Black people not being able to hold up a relationship."

I highly doubt that the movie makers were trying to throw this msg out. It's a movie about love, friendship and fate. It is one of my favorite films. I think its beautiful while also giving people who enjoy and love hip hop something to relate to. From watching this film SO many times, I think this is one of the few "black films" out there that actually shows black people in a positive light.

It's my house, and I live here.

[–] sirrap2 12 years ago

Whenever a person has to say what race they are then go on to downplay a film, claiming it's racist for whatever reason AND then never come back to reply to comments proves one thing: the silly troll just wanted to ruffle up some feathers.

'Life my a$$ motha flucka, this is a bidness.'

[–] bigizzyfan 11 years ago

I'm sorry... just finished watching this movie, and it is dull.
Which is a shame, because it has decent actors... some of whom are very easy on the eyes. But it lacks substance.

I'm not black, so I guess you could call me racist for not liking it... but for your information, I love, hate and meh in an equal opportunities fashion.

This is a 'meh' movie for me.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] 11 years ago

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[–] sirrap2 10 years ago

I know I'm almost 3 years late in posting but I did read your post in full.

First off, the hip hop references that Sanaa makes as she narrates is called a metaphor. As she describes throughout the film how much 'hip hop changed, watching 'hip hop' grow...she is referring to Dre (Taye Diggs)

Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I respect yours. This happens to be one of my favorite movies and I hate romantic comedies! But maybe it's because I can relate being I lived my teenage years during that era.

May I suggest a good read: The Slave Community by John Blassingame. It's obvious you have some deep negative issues about the Black culture and since you claim to be Black maybe this book will help you to understand why you think the way you do.

I'm Black and proud of it. I support Black filmmakers, artist, etc. if they present a positive message for ALL people. I don't support what I call the 'bling' generation which is what most of the younger entertainers of today do, which is absolutely nothing to help teach, share or do something positive. They are mostly just concerned about themselves.

Hope this helps.

P.S. It's RACIST...not raceist. Everyone makes a typo but you wrote this incorrectly several times.

When life gives you lemons, make apple juice and let the world figure out how you did it!

[–] jannykitten 10 years ago

Bravo sirrap2. Bra-freaking-vo!!! Well put, well played, well purveyed!

[–] starlincity 9 years ago

if you are black then i am Antarctican this movie is fantastic in every way if you dont like "black movies" then watch "white movies" oh and another thing if you are gonna watch a movie dont watch it on cable

[–] musicbytes 9 years ago

The op is a racist republican !