Black and White, the latest film from writer/director James Toback (Two Girls and a Guy), uses multiple intertwined plots in a way reminiscent of Robert Altman's Nashville to explore the phenomenon of affluent white youth who co-opt the urban black culture, its music, and modes of speech. 

Among the huge cast of characters, we find Charlie (Bijou Phillips) and her friends hanging out with aspiring rap artist Rich Bower (Power) and his group, the American Cream Team. The teenagers want nothing more than to be down with their young, black idols. 

Captivated by this cross-cultural confusion, documentary filmmaker Sam Donager (Brooke Shields) endeavors to capture the phenomenon on camera with the help of her flamboyantly gay husband Terry (Robert Downey Jr.). Meanwhile, Mark Clear (Ben Stiller) seeks revenge against his cold ex-girlfriend Greta (Claudia Schiffer), who left him for Dean (Allan Houston), a black college basketball star and childhood friend of Rich Bower. In the final reel, worlds collide, lessons are learned, and someone lays dead. 

Black and White is not a cozy little peek into Norman Rockwell's America. In theme, at least, it brings to mind last year's Whiteboys, written by and starring white hip hop artist Danny Hoch. But while this film is a provocative ride, it often trades style for substance. There is no character at its core to root for, and the improvised dialogue often sounds amateurish. Surprisingly, the best performances come from Brooke Shields and Mike Tyson (as himself). I cannot explain this and I won't try. 

The much-talked about scene where Terry (Robert Downey Jr.) makes a pass at Mike Tyson is priceless: "I had a dream about you two weeks ago ... In the dream you were holding me." Fortunately, Downey has slightly better (and less bloody) luck with Jared Leto later in the film. Oddly, this is the second film in a row (the last one was Wonder Boys) in which Robert Downey Jr. plays a gay man named Terry. I cannot explain this either ... and I won't try! 

--Steve Pride

Source : Obtained from PlanetOut.Com