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Top Five
Top Five
from Wikipedia

Top Five
Theatrical release poster
Directed byChris Rock
Written byChris Rock
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyManuel Alberto Claro
Edited byAnne McCabe
Music by
Production
companies
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release dates
  • September 6, 2014 (2014-09-06) (TIFF)
  • December 12, 2014 (2014-12-12) (United States)
Running time
102 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$12 million[2]
Box office$26.1 million[3]

Top Five is a 2014 American romantic comedy-drama film[4] written and directed by Chris Rock. Produced by Scott Rudin and Eli Bush, the film stars Rock, Rosario Dawson, and Gabrielle Union, and follows New York City comedian and film star Andre Allen (Rock), who has to confront his past and comedic career while doing an interview with journalist Chelsea Brown (Dawson).

The ensemble cast features comedians J. B. Smoove, Kevin Hart, Sherri Shephard, Michael Che, Tracy Morgan, Jay Pharoah, Leslie Jones, and Cedric the Entertainer. Comedians Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, and Whoopi Goldberg appear as fictionalized versions of themselves.

It was screened in the Special Presentations section of the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival and was released in the United States on December 12, 2014, by Paramount Pictures.[5] It received critical acclaim, with praise directed at the performances of the cast, and Rock's screenplay and direction, as well as comparisons to Woody Allen's Stardust Memories (1980).

Plot

[edit]

New York Times reporter Chelsea Brown is spending a day interviewing comedian and recovering alcoholic Andre Allen, star of the hit film franchise Hammy The Bear, about a cop in a bear suit. Chelsea has forgotten her audio recorder, so they first go to her apartment. While there they discuss a magazine article about the Cinderella complex. Chelsea explains that Cinderella left something behind to let the prince know that she wanted to see him again.

Andre is attempting a foray into serious films with Uprize, in which he portrays Haitian Revolution figure Dutty Boukman, and is sensitive to criticism, particularly by Times critic James Nielson, whose previous reviews of his work have been negative and insulting.

As the interview begins in his limousine, Andre recalls his lowest point, when he was in Houston in 2003 and met Jazzy Dee, who supplied him with drugs, alcohol and women. When Jazzy refused to pay them, they contended they were raped, leading to Andre's arrest and subsequent sobriety.

The limo gets hit by a cab, so Andre and Chelsea wander the city. He stops to pick up the rings for his wedding to reality-TV star Erica Long. Following a subtle, tense interaction with Andre assisting an acquaintance who is actually his father, they visit the apartment of his old friends and ex-girlfriend.

Chelsea interviews each, learning that Andre wasn't particularly funny when he started doing stand-up. They nominate their five favorite rappers, including a sixth as well. Andre goes to radio shows such as Opie and Anthony to promote Uprize and attends a press conference with fellow stars Taraji P. Henson and Gabourey Sidibe. To his chagrin, Andre is asked about the next Hammy movie.

At a hotel, Andre and Chelsea unexpectedly encounter her boyfriend, Brad, along with his friend Ryan, who is wearing Brad's shirt. She deduces Brad is cheating on her with Ryan. She and Andre, both recovering alcoholics, stop in a liquor store but resist making a purchase. Chelsea explains in graphic detail how the signs were there that Brad was gay. Andre laughs, calling Chelsea naive. She becomes angry and insults his movie, but they end up kissing.

Andre asks to borrow Chelsea's phone, as his own died. While using it, he sees an email from her editor, revealing she is James Nielson. The truth devastates Andre, who angrily tells Chelsea he felt he was never funny unless he was drunk or high, and now is fearful for his career. Despondent and acting out at a supermarket, he is arrested.

In jail, Andre calls Erica, who fumes over the arrest, mainly because of how it will look for her image. She tells him this piece of fame is all she has since she thinks she has no other talent. Erica's manager Benny takes the phone and tells Andre to go to his bachelor party for good press and fly out for the wedding.

Andre's bodyguard Silk bails out Andre, and they go to a strip club for a bachelor party with a Hammy The Bear theme. There, Andre hangs out with Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, and Whoopi Goldberg, who give him different views on marriage and sex. Chelsea finds him there, wanting to make it up to him.

Andre, Chelsea, and Silk go to the Comedy Cellar, where Andre gets up onstage and performs standup for the first time in years. He's still funny, and the crowd loves him. Afterwards, he tells Chelsea he got inspired after being in jail and talking to DMX, who told Andre he does not want to keep rapping and wants to sing instead. DMX then sang "Smile", terribly.

They drop Chelsea off at home, where she and Andre share one last kiss. He asks for her top five rappers, which she lists. While driving away, Silk tells Andre he should have gone after Chelsea. Andre goes through the gift bag from the party and finds items including a scented candle and a bottle of vodka. Then he pulls out a slipper, and Silk smiles.

After the credits begin rolling, the movie returns to the party, where Jerry Seinfeld shares his "top five" as Sugarhill Gang, Eminem, Wale, Ice Cube, and Sir Mix-a-Lot.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Principal photography began on June 24, 2013, in New York City.[11] In July 2014, the film's title was changed from Finally Famous to Top Five.[12]

Release

[edit]

The film premiered at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2014.[13] Shortly after, a bidding war for distribution rights ensued between multiple studios including Sony Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Fox Searchlight, Open Road Films, A24, Relativity Media and Lionsgate, with bids reaching as high as over $10 million and Paramount emerging as the frontrunner the next day.[14] On September 10, 2014, Paramount Pictures confirmed their acquisition of the film's worldwide distribution rights for $12.5 million[15] and agreed to pay at least $20 million in promotion and marketing.[16] In November 2014, Paramount announced Top Five would receive a wide release on December 12, 2014.[17]

Home media

[edit]

Top Five was released on Blu-ray and DVD on March 17, 2015.[18]

Reception

[edit]

Review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes gives the film an approval rating of 85%, based on 186 reviews, with an average rating of 7.2/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "As smart, funny, and trenchant as writer-director-star Chris Rock's best standup work, Top Five is a career highlight for its creator—and one of the comedy standouts of 2014."[19] Metacritic gives the film a score of 81 out of 100, based on 37 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[20]

Some critics found similarities between the Andre Allen character and Woody Allen's Sandy Bates in Stardust Memories (1980).[21][22][23]

Accolades

[edit]

Future

[edit]

In an interview with Complex, Rock said he meets with producer Scott Rudin "every week now going over this next movie", and that Rudin wants him "to work at a faster pace". He also suggested that "a lot of the same cast" would be involved, mentioning that "you might want to see see a little more of Leslie Jones or Tracy [Morgan], once he gets better. I think Jerry Seinfeld showed us things we haven't seen."[25]

The 2016 Tyler Perry comedy film, Boo! A Madea Halloween, is based on a fictional film featured in Top Five.[26]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Top Five is a 2014 American comedy film written, directed by, and starring Chris Rock as Andre Allen, a stand-up comedian who achieved stardom through a series of action-comedies featuring a talking bear but now aspires to be recognized for a serious dramatic role in a film about the Haitian Revolution. During a day-long interview with New York Times journalist Chelsea Brown (Rosario Dawson), Andre navigates New York City, reconnecting with old friends and confronting personal regrets, including his sobriety, past relationships, and the pressures of fame. The film blends humor with introspective themes on celebrity culture, race, and artistic integrity, drawing semi-autobiographical elements from Rock's own career. Featuring an ensemble cast that includes Gabrielle Union as Andre's fiancée Erica, Kevin Hart, Cedric the Entertainer, J.B. Smoove, and Romany Malco in supporting roles, Top Five also boasts cameo appearances from high-profile figures such as Jerry Seinfeld, Whoopi Goldberg, Adam Sandler, and Jay-Z. Produced by Scott Rudin, Eli Bush, and others under iHappyFish in association with Harpo Films, the movie had a budget of $12 million and was distributed by Paramount Pictures. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 12, 2014, before its limited release on December 5 and wide release on December 12, 2014, in the United States. Upon release, Top Five earned $25.3 million domestically and $26 million worldwide, marking a modest commercial success relative to its budget. Critics praised Rock's multifaceted performance and the film's sharp wit, with an 85% approval rating on based on 182 reviews, where it is described as a "funny, insightful Hollywood ." The movie received a nomination for Outstanding in a Motion Picture (for ) at the 46th .

Synopsis

Plot

Andre Allen, a renowned and best known for starring in the successful action-comedy franchise Hammy the , seeks to establish himself as a serious filmmaker with his new dramatic release about Haitian revolutionaries. On the day of the film's release, Andre spends a tumultuous day traversing while being shadowed and interviewed by New York Times reporter , who probes into his career evolution and personal motivations. As their conversation unfolds during a series of encounters with fans, old acquaintances, and industry figures, Andre confronts the stemming from his past in broad, crowd-pleasing comedies that brought him but left him yearning for deeper artistic expression. He reflects candidly on the superficiality of his Hammy the Bear roles and the challenges of shedding that image for roles demanding greater emotional depth. The day's events escalate when Andre visits a housing project in , reconnecting with childhood friends and enthusiastic fans who remind him of his origins and the cultural roots that shaped his humor. Later, he attends a raucous for a close friend, where boisterous interactions and unexpected revelations force Andre to examine his , relationships, and the authenticity of his public persona amid the chaos of urban nightlife.

Cast

Chris Rock stars as Andre Allen, a renowned and attempting to transition from blockbuster films to more serious dramatic roles, a character loosely inspired by Rock's own career trajectory in and Hollywood. portrays Chelsea Brown, a sharp-witted conducting an in-depth with Allen that uncovers personal vulnerabilities. plays Erica Long, Allen's affluent fiancée whose high-society expectations create tension in his life. appears as Silk, Allen's loyal best friend and fellow who provides comic relief and grounded advice throughout the narrative. The ensemble features strong supporting performances that blend humor and heartfelt moments, including as Benny Barnes, Erica's manager; as Brad, Chelsea's boyfriend; and in a role that adds layers to the group's dynamic. Comedians , , Leslie Jones, , , and contribute in key supporting capacities, enhancing the film's satirical take on fame and friendship through their improvisational energy and timing. Notable cameo appearances include , , and , each playing heightened versions of themselves in brief, self-deprecating scenes that poke fun at and add star power to the . Additional cameos by and further amplify the 's insider humor, drawing on real-life industry connections to underscore the ensemble's collaborative spirit. This casting approach highlights the movie's balance of dramatic introspection and uproarious ensemble interplay, with Rock's central performance anchoring the mix.

Production

Development

Chris Rock drew inspiration for Top Five from his own career trajectory, transitioning from a renowned stand-up to pursuing more dramatic roles in film, which informed the screenplay's semi-autobiographical examination of fame, comedy, and personal reinvention. Rock penned the script himself, crafting a centered on a grappling with his identity in Hollywood, reflecting his experiences navigating the industry's expectations of Black performers. The project was developed under Scott Rudin Productions in association with iHappyFish and Harpo Films, with and serving as the primary producers, overseeing the phase that emphasized Rock's multifaceted creative control. Initially titled Finally Famous during early announcements in 2013, the was changed to Top Five prior to its , a decision Rock made to align more closely with the story's motif of compiling personal "top five" lists of favorite rappers and comedies. With a total budget of $12 million, the development prioritized efficient resource allocation, allowing Rock to helm directing, writing, and starring duties without compromising the film's intimate, dialogue-driven scope. This pre-production groundwork set the stage for in later that year.

Filming

for Top Five commenced on June 24, 2013, in , where the production captured the film's authentic urban atmosphere through on-location shooting across various neighborhoods. The schedule focused on real-world settings to immerse viewers in the story's New York vibe. Cinematographer Manuel Alberto Claro brought a distinctive visual style to the project, employing colorful and fluid imagery that elevated the comedy beyond typical genre conventions, creating a sleeker and more dynamic aesthetic. His approach emphasized intimacy and energy, aligning with the film's blend of humor and personal reflection. Editor Anne McCabe played a key role in shaping the final cut, delivering pitch-perfect timing for the comedic sequences and maintaining a fast, fluid pace that kept the 102-minute runtime engaging. Filming faced logistical hurdles typical of summer shoots in dense city environments, including navigating real locations amid high temperatures and coordinating with a cast known for , which enriched the and extended before . wrapped in late 2013, transitioning to where efforts centered on integrating the score composed by and to enhance the film's rhythmic and musical elements.

Release

Premiere and distribution

The world premiere of Top Five took place at the on September 6, 2014, where it received a positive reception and generated significant early buzz among critics and audiences for its sharp comedy and . Following the festival, Paramount Pictures acquired worldwide distribution rights to the film on September 10, 2014, shortly after its TIFF screening. Although a limited release on December 5 was initially planned, Paramount shifted to a wide release on December 12, 2014, in 979 theaters. Internationally, the film rolled out in select markets, including a release in the United Kingdom on May 8, 2015. The marketing campaign for Top Five focused on promotional trailers that highlighted the film's star-studded comedy ensemble, including cameos from , , and , while emphasizing Chris Rock's return to directing after a 14-year hiatus. Trailers and press materials positioned the movie as a witty Hollywood , with Rock promoting it through interviews, Q&As, and a AMA to build anticipation around its blend of humor and personal storytelling.

Box office performance

Top Five opened to a on December 12, 2014, grossing $6.9 million across 979 theaters. The film ultimately earned a total worldwide gross of $26.1 million against its $12 million , marking a profitable return for distributor . The holiday release timing during the season boosted attendance, particularly over the extended holiday weekend, but the film faced stiff competition from The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, which debuted to $54.7 million the week after Top Five's opening and dominated the through the end of December.

Home media

The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray by Paramount Home Media Distribution on March 17, 2015. The edition offered a combo pack featuring the film in high definition on Blu-ray, a standard DVD copy, and an digital code for redemption. Audio was presented in 5.1, supporting English, French, and Spanish tracks with corresponding subtitles. Bonus materials on the Blu-ray included an track featuring writer-director-star and co-star , who discussed the film's comedic inspirations and production challenges. Additional features comprised deleted scenes, outtakes from Andre Allen's stand-up routines, and a 20-minute featurette titled "It's Never Easy Making a Movie About Comedians," which explored the improvisational style and ensemble dynamics. Digital download and video-on-demand availability began on March 3, 2015, through platforms including , Amazon Video, and . The title saw streaming distribution on select services during its initial post-theatrical window in 2015. Domestic home video sales reached $1,615,030, providing a key ancillary revenue stream that bolstered the film's profitability beyond its theatrical earnings.

Reception and analysis

Critical reception

Top Five garnered positive critical reception upon its release, with reviewers commending its wit and insight into celebrity culture. On , the film holds an approval rating of 85% based on 182 reviews, earning a "Certified Fresh" designation. The site's consensus describes it as "as smart, funny, and trenchant as writer-director-star Chris Rock's best standup work," positioning it as a career highlight and one of 2014's standout comedies. On , it received a score of 81 out of 100 from 37 critics, reflecting "universal acclaim" and 95% positive reviews. Critics frequently praised Rock's screenplay for its sharp humor and self-reflective depth, blending raunchy with poignant observations on fame and identity. The ensemble cast drew acclaim for its chemistry, particularly the extended, naturalistic scenes between Rock and , as well as lively contributions from comedians like and that added authentic energy to group interactions. Rock's direction was often compared to Woody Allen's style, evoking a talky, introspective New York vibe through roaming conversations that capture the city's pulse. Some reviewers noted criticisms regarding the film's structure, particularly uneven pacing in the third act, where melodramatic twists occasionally disrupted the comedic momentum. Despite these reservations, the overall consensus highlighted the movie's authenticity and Rock's growth as a filmmaker. Notable reviews included of , who gave it 3.5 out of 4 stars, lauding it as a breakthrough for Rock in delivering genuine laughs rooted in personal experience. of included Top Five among his favorite films of as a runner-up, appreciating its blistering humor and romantic elements.

Themes and style

Top Five explores the critique of Hollywood's often reductive portrayal of Black comedians, portraying protagonist Andre Allen's frustration with roles that prioritize commercial appeal over depth. Through Andre's desire to star in a serious film about the titled Uprize!, the film highlights the unique pressures faced by Black performers in an industry that frequently confines them to stereotypical or lighthearted fare, questioning whether the stakes for humor and seriousness differ when the comedian is Black. This theme is underscored by Andre's interactions with fellow Black comedians, who candidly discuss the challenges of transitioning from stand-up authenticity to mainstream success. A core tension in the film lies between commercial success and artistic integrity, as Andre grapples with the lucrative but soul-draining legacy of his franchise, which grossed hundreds of millions worldwide, versus his aspiration for more meaningful work. This conflict manifests in Andre's reluctance to promote his superficial action comedies while promoting Uprize!, illustrating the personal cost of fame in a profit-driven Hollywood. Amid this reinvention, romance emerges as a catalyst for self-reflection, with Andre's evolving connection to journalist providing emotional grounding and prompting him to confront his past choices. Stylistically, Top Five blends documentary-style interviews—such as Andre's satellite radio appearances and cameos from real-life comedians—with farcical elements, including absurd scenarios like a chaotic strip club visit, to create a raw, improvisational energy that mirrors stand-up unpredictability. New York City functions as a vibrant character, its bustling streets and intimate walk-and-talk sequences evoking a seductive romance that amplifies the film's introspective tone. The jazz-infused score, composed by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson and Ludwig Göransson, enhances this mood with soulful, improvisational undertones that underscore moments of vulnerability and cultural resonance. The film's influences draw from Chris Rock's own stand-up specials, incorporating their sharp, observational humor on race and celebrity into narrative dialogue and ensemble scenes. This self-referential style, akin to Woody Allen's , allows Rock to blend personal reinvention with broader commentary on comedic authenticity.

Legacy

Accolades

Top Five received several nominations at major awards ceremonies in , reflecting its recognition within the and communities, though it secured no major wins. At the , the film was nominated for Best , with earning a nod for Best in a and for Best in a . The 46th NAACP Image Awards honored Chris Rock with a nomination for Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture for Top Five, as well as Cedric the Entertainer for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture. Similarly, at the 15th Black Reel Awards, Rock received nominations for Outstanding Actor and Outstanding Screenplay, Original or Adapted.

Potential sequel and influence

In 2015, Chris Rock announced that he was developing a sequel to Top Five in collaboration with producer , with intentions for much of the original cast—including and Leslie Jones—to reprise their roles. As of November 2025, no further production developments have been reported, leaving the project in limbo. The film exerted a direct influence on subsequent Black-led comedies, most notably inspiring Tyler Perry's (2016), which originated from a satirical reference in Top Five to a fictional Madea that Perry decided to produce as a real project. This connection underscored Top Five's role in sparking creative crossovers within the genre. Additionally, the movie fueled broader industry conversations about the challenges and opportunities for Black-led comedies in Hollywood, highlighting disparities in distribution and audience expectations for films centered on Black experiences. Top Five enhanced the visibility of improvisational techniques through its scenes featuring banter among comedians, a style that resonated in reviews and influenced perceptions of authentic humor in ensemble-driven narratives. Themes of identity from the echoed in Rock's later performance as Loy Cannon in Fargo Season 4 (2020), where he portrayed a navigating racial tensions in America, extending Top Five's exploration of cultural authenticity.

References

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