Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bustin' Loose (1981)
Director: Oz Scott
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
A remarkable change of direction for the subsequently self-immolating Pryor, whose biting stand-up barrage had put him in the Lenny Bruce class of hard-core comic satire. A 'warm-hearted comedy' involving a bunch of orphan kids promises neither a rewarding evening nor the best use of Pryor's considerable talent. However, in spite of an impractically pat 'happy ending' and liberal spoonfuls of sugar, we are kept some way from Walt Disney territory. Some of the set pieces, notably Pryor's encounter with the Ku Klux Klan, are beautifully achieved; the sentimentality is usually effective, and protected by a hard edge of fast-rap comedy; the kids are bearable. The plotting is sloppy at times and this is undoubtedly a minor film, but its rewards are surprising.Author: JC
User reviews of this film
-
- Frank said...
- Posted on Feb 23 2009 22:00 One of Pryor's best. An underrated gem.
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Oz Scott
Producer: Richard Pryor, Michael S Glick
Cast: Richard Pryor, Cicely Tyson, Angel Ramirez, Jimmy Hughes, Edwin DeLeon, Robert Christian full cast
Genre(s): Comedy
Duration: 94 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Our verdict on Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones
Peter Jackson ends a triumphant decade with a sentimental misfire with this lush Alice Sebold adaptation
On the set of Ken Loach's 'Route Irish'
Dave Calhoun meets Ken Loach on the set of his forthcoming Iraq war movie
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations












What do you think?
Post your review now