Roll Bounce film review

certificate_PG

ROLL BOUNCE

Roll Bounce is set in the world of disco, hip hugging trousers, afros and, most importantly, roller skating. It's like Saturday Night Fever on wheels. Dealing as it does with a bunch of kids growing up on the South Side of Chicago, it has a refreshing sweetness reflective of the more innocent period of the late 70s in which it takes place. Unsophisticated and unoriginal, it nevertheless has a warmth and endearing charm. Not to mention a great soundtrack.

The simplistic story of Xavier (Bow Wow) and his four friends finding unity and self respect through roller skating would have some appeal on a purely nostalgic level, but what elevates Roll Bounce above the formulaic and provides it with its emotional heart is the touching relationship between X and his father (Chi McBride) as they both try in their very different ways to cope with the recent loss of his wife and X's mother. X has retreated into his shell while his father tries to maintain the appearance of normality in their middle class life, while things around him fall apart.

Directed by Malcolm D. Lee (Spike's cousin), Roll Bounce has few pretensions, content to trust that its familiar themes will resonate while the sight of five sharply dressed kids doing a roller skating dance routine to Kool & The Gang will exhilarate.

Apparently based on a real situation, Roll Bounce focuses on the teenage X and his friends who are forced to head across town to the plush Sweetwater skate rink following the closure of their local skating arena. The boys find Sweetwater dominated by the preening presence of ace skater Sweetness (Wesley Jonathan) and his acolytes. But the upcoming skate off competition provides them with the perfect opportunity to sour Sweetness' reign and mark their arrival.

Bow Wow has a natural ease, one borne of belief rather than bravado. His depiction of X, replete with some fine skating moves, shows an understanding of his characters' vulnerability and frustration. The angst and awkwardness of teenage romance is also nicely dealt with. Jurnee Smollett being particularly effective as the plucky Tori. Few involved would make great claims for Roll Bounce, but its modesty and integrity is admirable. And while it may not inspire reverential reviews, it will undoubtedly prompt some to lace up their skates and dust off their copy of Chic's Le Freak.

Kevin Murphy