Chris Rose on Labou
Ray Nagin an actor? Nope, he can keep his day job
by Chris Rose, Columnist, The Times-Picayune
Tuesday June 02, 2009, 11:30 AM
The wait is over. After years of anticipation, the movie "Labou" has premiered and, with it, the acting debut of C. Ray Nagin.
That's how his name appears in the credits; no "Mayor" or "The Honorable," which is how he was referred to in "All the King's Men" and "Runaway Jury," respectively.
Those credits were along the lines of "The producers of this film would like to thank...."
But in "Labou," a charming story of three kids in search of a lost pirate's treasure and the meaning of good citizenship, Nagin is actually in the cast.
Granted, he plays the Mayor of New Orleans in the film, but still. And yes, I realize there are about a thousand ways to roll that into a joke. (He's been playing Mayor of New Orleans for seven years! Et cetera.)
To be more specific, Nagin he plays a corrupt chief executive - "Mayor Adams" - a man on the take. A malicious malefactor. Violating the public trust. Gorging at the public trough. At the service of the Special Interests. In cahoots with the Fat Cats. In the pockets of the Money Men. Aiding and abetting the, well....never mind.
You get the point.
But I'll give him this: He's mighty cozy in front of the camera in this role. A natural, you might say.
And on this matter, I disagree with my esteemed colleague Michael Kleinschrodt, the DVD honcho at The Times-Picayune, who thought Nagin basically sucked in the movie, whereas I thought the acting was so bad all around the film that Nagin's uninspired performance is hardly noticeable. (You can check out Kleinschrodt's review here: http://blog.nola.com/michaelkleinschrodt/2009/05/noshot_labou_costarring_c_ray.html)
So, yeah: "Labou" is no "E.T." but it's good family fare; my 6, 8 and 10-year-olds all enjoyed it. In fact, the title character - a cute, green swamp creature with highly attenuated musical sensibilities - reminded me more than a little of "E.T." In fact, details like the movie's knowing dialogue about said famous alien makes it bearable viewing even for adults.
So support the local film industry and check out "Labou." The majority of cast (Ellis Marsalis included as - you guessed it: A bass player!) and crew members are from around here. And, after its production was interrupted for that little weather glitch back in 2005, it was one of the first movie productions to come back to town and get busy.
So for that alone: Huzzah!
The movie is NOT, however, appearing at a theater near you. "Labou" went straight to DVD. And for the first time in my life I can honestly say this: It wasn't Nagin's fault.
by Chris Rose, Columnist, The Times-Picayune
Tuesday June 02, 2009, 11:30 AM
The wait is over. After years of anticipation, the movie "Labou" has premiered and, with it, the acting debut of C. Ray Nagin.
That's how his name appears in the credits; no "Mayor" or "The Honorable," which is how he was referred to in "All the King's Men" and "Runaway Jury," respectively.
Those credits were along the lines of "The producers of this film would like to thank...."
But in "Labou," a charming story of three kids in search of a lost pirate's treasure and the meaning of good citizenship, Nagin is actually in the cast.
Granted, he plays the Mayor of New Orleans in the film, but still. And yes, I realize there are about a thousand ways to roll that into a joke. (He's been playing Mayor of New Orleans for seven years! Et cetera.)
To be more specific, Nagin he plays a corrupt chief executive - "Mayor Adams" - a man on the take. A malicious malefactor. Violating the public trust. Gorging at the public trough. At the service of the Special Interests. In cahoots with the Fat Cats. In the pockets of the Money Men. Aiding and abetting the, well....never mind.
You get the point.
But I'll give him this: He's mighty cozy in front of the camera in this role. A natural, you might say.
And on this matter, I disagree with my esteemed colleague Michael Kleinschrodt, the DVD honcho at The Times-Picayune, who thought Nagin basically sucked in the movie, whereas I thought the acting was so bad all around the film that Nagin's uninspired performance is hardly noticeable. (You can check out Kleinschrodt's review here: http://blog.nola.com/michaelkleinschrodt/2009/05/noshot_labou_costarring_c_ray.html)
So, yeah: "Labou" is no "E.T." but it's good family fare; my 6, 8 and 10-year-olds all enjoyed it. In fact, the title character - a cute, green swamp creature with highly attenuated musical sensibilities - reminded me more than a little of "E.T." In fact, details like the movie's knowing dialogue about said famous alien makes it bearable viewing even for adults.
So support the local film industry and check out "Labou." The majority of cast (Ellis Marsalis included as - you guessed it: A bass player!) and crew members are from around here. And, after its production was interrupted for that little weather glitch back in 2005, it was one of the first movie productions to come back to town and get busy.
So for that alone: Huzzah!
The movie is NOT, however, appearing at a theater near you. "Labou" went straight to DVD. And for the first time in my life I can honestly say this: It wasn't Nagin's fault.
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