Customer Reviews
Watch this movie and then start talking about it 
2006-02-06
This is one of the best documentaries I've ever watched, and one of the most powerful. It is an exploration of the `N' word, and all the power, hurt, and connotations it has. Most of Hollywood and some of the music community offers their views on the word- when to use it, when not to, who to use it with. But this movie is so much more than that.
It sounds way to much like an after school special to say that this movie will open up a dialogue between you and anyone you watch it with, or explain it to. Yes, this is the case with this film. Once the subject is breeched- and this is the perfect icebreaker to do it with- then you and others can start talking about what this word means to them and how it has impacted them or those they love. Everyone has something to say about it. So listen and learn. It's powerful in a very magical way.
Just don't watch the film and expect easy answers on race or community issues, but do watch the movie and expect to have a very thought provoking experience.
Recommended for everyone, but parents might want to screen this movie before watching it with young children as it has adult subjects and language.
But watch this movie, then watch it with those you love. You'll be glad you did. Talking about these issues is the only way to solve anything.
For once, I can't think of a title for a review. Eesh. 
2006-01-29
I was hesitant to review this movie. Why? Because it's the kind of movie that'll either help or harm someone based on their score. It's like when someone gives a Michael the Hutt Moore movie a low score, everyone assumes that reviewer "doesn't know the truth" and is ignorant. But when they give it a good review (for whatever sick reason), everyone else assumes that the person doesn't know their facts, and will believe whatever they're presented with. I say this because it's true. If I were to give this movie one star, the majority of people out there wouldn't read my review, and just vote "no" immediately, thinking I'm racist. But if I gave it 5 stars, everyone will be merry, prance about, and know I'm not racist because of the high score. In saying this, I'm hoping that you will read my entire review, and go from there. I rented The N Word if only because of the tagline: Nothing promises to be as controversial, or combustible, as...THE N WORD. The fact that someone could make an entire documentary on something that's been covered in many books blew my mind. What could it be about? Would it just be people going on about the obvious- how bad the word is? All the back of the box really says is that the n word is "easily the most inflammatory, shocking and historic word in the English language". Despite there being many words worse. What I got was mostly what I expected- a history of the word, and different celebrities going on about it.
The N Word starts out with a poorly done montage of historical clips and footage from the modern times. I say poorly done because the modern footage is given that psudo-grain look to make us try and appreciate it more than we already should. This technique isn't used again. Black celebrities and George Carlin join together and share their stories about the first time they heard the word, or were called it. Some people interviewed here are more comfortable with the word than others, some never had much of a problem with the word as they can realize that we're living in a different time period now, and others just plain love the controversey the word causes. Later, they go over the origin of the word. It originally came from the Latin word for black, as most of us know, but whether or not it was used in the deraguatory sense isn't known. Those interviewed then go into what they think about how the word's used now, and most of them all agree that it's used in the same way as "dude" or "man" are used by white people. But it depends on the way you say it to determine if it's an insult or not. All of this is interesting of course, but it's not telling us anything new. We know it's a bad word, but -why- is it still being used by people of all colors if apparently, the majority of the world's population sees that it's a word beneath anything? Why can some people get away with saying it as long as they're part of a race that got that word in the first place? To me, that was the more important question, and it isn't touched until 2/3 through. Halfway through, normal people on the streets are interviewed, and see say that they see rappers as making the word mean nothing anymore- because the word's thrown around so much that it doesn't matter. They're right. How many mainstream rap songs use the word as a regular part of their lyrics? A good few minutes in this documentary are dedicated to Richard Pryor, showing us just how much he influenced not only comedy, but society as well with his humor. I've always loved Pryor's work, but the segment here gives a good, in-depth look at how he started to change America's look at black people. How he'd play white clubs and use the word more than I thought humanly possible in a single joke. It's one of the better parts in this film.
Even now, it's hurting my head trying to make sense of everything in the movie. It's almost like two different movies were edited together. You have the section dealing with the word, and then another section dealing with black history in America and entertainment. The first 20 minutes of the movie were poorly done- the history of the word being combined with celebrities' stories of when they first heard the word are mixed together, cutting off eachother just when one of the two gets good. And while this movie's dedicated to one racial slur, I wish some of the people talking about other cultures and countries using similar words for their own people would've been looked at a little more. We get a story about what Russians used to call eachother, a word meaning "lowly pesant", which was interesting and going somewhere. But he's then cut off, and we're back to other stories about the n word from George Carlin. A rapper interviewed here is asked if he has an inner-struggle with the word since he uses it so much in his songs. He says he does, but he's making albums for the kids, and it's up to their parents to explain to them the context. What a winner, eh? If he's so torn about the word, how about he not use it until he's figured out how he feels 100%? There's more that I could talk about, but it'd take too long. I was hoping for The N Word to be more than just interviews- to have someone who narrated everything, trying to explain if this word should be abolished or not. Seriously, why is this word still being used, and why is it still so controversial? Asians never call eachother a racial slur, but then freak out when anyone of any other race calls them that? Until someone rediscovers the word, I don't think there'll ever be a real verdict on if the word is truly bad, or if it's ok as long as you're part of that race and end it with a "a" instead of a "er". All the movie is, is celebrities and historians exploring the word, never really going anywhere with it. Yes, it's an interesting movie, but it could've been done better. Had this been a mini-series on TLC, I think it could've had more depth. And just for the heck of it, I finally saw voice actress Cree Summer for the first time here. If you don't know her by name, you've most likely heard her voice numerous times. She voices pratically every black character in cartoons. Susie from Rugrats, Foxxy Love, etc. While I'm sick of her being seemingly the only black voice actress, it was good to finally get a face with her.
Being a basic documentary, the picture quality isn't going to reach motion picture status. Everything is clear though, and only the archive footage looks bad. Though some interview spots suffer from faded colors and blurs (George Carlin and Ice Cube especially), it doesn't affect the movie at all. The audio's good too- they really cleaned up some of the older footage and audio clips.
The only special feature is a commentary by the writer/director Todd Larkins and producer Helena Echegoyen. It starts out well- why the movie was made. Todd Larkins saw something on where Flava Flav was censored from using the word because the movie companies that owned what program he was on had banned the word. This upset Todd and he went from there. Overall, this is a good track- Todd talks almost non-stop, though he mostly talks about the people in the movie and how he got them. Helena provides some background info on each person as well, making for a very informative track. This whole thing's almost like a very detailed bibliography. Sadly, Todd, at one point, says he was going for an MTV style of graphics and edits. Bad Todd, bad. There are no trailers for this movie.
As you can tell by my abnormally unoragnized review, I don't know what to make of this documentary. It shouldn't get good reviews just because it touches a subject that so few are willing to do, but it shouldn't get bad reviews either because of its lack of direction. What we have here is a good series of interviews, but no real conclusion on the word. While it should be obvious to everyone that the word -is- bad no matter how you say it, The N Word gives a 50/50 to both sides. One of my friends tonight, said this: "But god, where's all the debate? It's offensive whenever someone other than a black person uses it. Sometimes though, black people use it as an insult. Too bad that's only about...5% of the time". He's right, but I guess the decision's still up to you.
Great Film, Good For Education Settings 2006-01-27
Hip-hop stars and top entertainers weigh in on one of the most controversal words in the history of language. The N Word is now available on DVD. The "N" word, depending on who says it, can be a term of endearment or a derogatory word. Basically, that is what the film The N Word is about. Entertainers discuss the word. Various entertainers discuss when they were called the N word in the first segment of the film. Up for discussion is also the history of the word. Another interesting subject brought up is whether it's okay for white people to use the friend in a friendly tone. For example, if two black teens call themselves the N word in jest, is it okay for their white friend to use the N Word?
A lot of top talent was tapped for this project.
On the acting side, Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Rock, Jasmine Guy, Cree Summers, Nia Long, Samuel L Jackson, Richard Pryor, Regina King,
On the directing side Brett Ratner, Ice Cube and John Singleton are featured in the film.
On the music side Cee Lo Green, Damon Dash, Ice Cube, Talib Kweli, Quincy Jones, and more.
In addition to the entertainers who participate in the film, many respected educators contribute their insite.
The N Word is a great film and it would be perfect to use in an educational setting. The film includes a great deal of historical film footage.
Sociology Tool 2008-04-03
I saw this in my Social Problems class, when we were discussing race and ethnicity. The use of "nigger" was used an excessive amount of time, surely to get the point across, however I just found it annoying. A bit long, but informational and midley entertaining. I would recommend renting this on NetFlixs rather than purchasing the movie. Good for a college classroom because it leads to good conversation among students.
GOOD IDEA 
2008-02-07
Good idea to hear people trying to justify this vile term. It's a shame that so many just don't get it. There can never be anything positive about this word. And one of the subjects, after doing all he can to make the term seem harmless, has to admit that if a white person called him that he would feel some kind of way. In the words of Spike Lee 'WAKE UP!'
MUST SEE 2007-07-26
This DVD really puts things into perspective. It is not for or against the use of the word, but a commentary among many african americans from all backgrounds that use it.
a must watch 2006-04-26
this is the kind of film that will have a healthy discussion on the usuage of the word. it goes back through the history of time in the findings&usage of the word through the years&how it was used.Richard Pryor truly made it Powerful,but also he himself upon going on a trip to Africa den-nounced it.it never went away,but it got re-named&brought back.it has different meanings to different people depends on who you talk to.this film will have you talking&then you have to make up your mind where you stand on the use of the word. but this is the kind of film that is a must see for all people to me.
Reflections on The N Word-Divided We Stand 2006-03-14
The film immediately bought me into a new and unique way to look at the profound and divisive effects of just one word. The film helped me to experience a set of painful feelings that I had previously not shared. The broad number of people saying the N word in such various context was a very creative way to help outsiders become insiders to the feelings caused by that word. Congratulations to the writer and director!
