The 90s action film from Nicolas Cage and Samuel L. Jackson is much more than a buddy comedy

The '80s and early '90s were full of interracial buddy comedies in the action genre. Starting with 48 HOURS. In 1982, Hollywood was churning out films like this, often sidelining Caucasian and African-American male leads who struggled to agree while solving a larger problem. Amos and Andrew made no exception when casting his stars, Nicolas Cage And Samuel L. Jackson. At the time of its production, Cage had a reputation for playing eccentric comedic roles in classics such as: Moonstruck, Honeymoon in VegasAnd Raising Arizona. Similarly, Jackson was a regular character actor whose face became increasingly familiar to audiences through appearances in Spike Lee's projects and supporting roles in Coming to America And Strictly business. Both actors were hardly the box office hits they would become later in the decade. Nevertheless, they had the talent to portray social contrasts in this racially charged comedy.

What is “Amos & Andrew” about?

The title seems to be inspired by the Black radio show Amos and Andya highly controversial two-person comedy radio show that was later adapted for television

Black men are portrayed as insensitive stereotypes. Such characters are the complete opposite of Jackson's Andrew Sterling, a successful New York playwright notorious for his views on white America. As Andrew settles into his new vacation home on a vacation island in Massachusetts, his white, liberal neighbors (Michael Lerner And Margaret Colin) suspect him to be a burglar and call the local police. An army-sized swarm of police officers rush around the house, followed by massive gunfire.

While Andrew is holed up in the house, the local chief (Dabney Coleman) realizes his mistake when the police learn of his identity, while the declining media provides unwanted publicity. To save his reputation, the chief enlists the help of Cage's imprisoned Amos Odell, a petty thief who dreams of escaping to Canada. Amos is given the task of breaking into Andrew's household him hostage and eventually surrender in exchange for freedom. Things take a turn when Amos learns that his name and face will be plastered all over television, despite the chief's promise to make him an anonymous hostage taker. When the chief's true colors are revealed regarding Andrew's entry into the majority-white neighborhood, the playwright and the criminal form an unlikely pair.

“Amos & Andrew” is more than just another buddy comedy

Amos and Andrew was released a year after the Rodney King verdict and three years after the infamous backfire The Bonfire of the Vanities. Similar to the latter film, director E. Max Frye (Something wild) tries to make a statement about it Race and Class Differences in America. His role is reversed by Jackson as the law-abiding black man and Cage as the “lowlife” white con man, reflecting the classic Sidney Poitier/Tony Curtis film The defiant ones in chemistry. While the posters and trailers try to portray the film as a buddy comedy, similar to 48 HOURS. And Midnight run, Amos and Andrew spends most of its screen time with the characters getting to know each other.

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Throughout the entire film Jackson often vents his frustration about dealing with racism in a city that is supposed to be universally accepted. Then, in the story's most revealing moment, Andrew Amos recounts his childhood in Harlem and how his workaholic father survived in the “white man's world” by playing by its rules. But when his father dies, none of his white colleagues attend the funeral. Despite his success as a playwright Andrew feels worthless to his community.

“Amos & Andrew” reflects real-life racial profiling incidents

Where Amos and Andrew What falls short is the over-reliance on sitcom-level sight gags that neither Cage nor Jackson's talents could overcome. Despite its shortcomings it is The events depicted in the film were eerily ahead of their time, before 24-hour news channels dominated the mass media. Moments like an overzealous police officer (Brad Dourif), mistaking Andrew's car keys for a gun is reminiscent of the most tragic police shootings. Furthermore, the entire premise of Andrew being profiled in an upper-class community predated the profiling incident with a black historian Henry Louis Gates, Jr. at his home in 2009.

The most disturbing yet successful part of the film is Coleman in the role of the subtly racist police chief. I've played misogynistic bosses 9 to 5 And TootsieColeman is the perfect antagonist, willing to manipulate the situation through the media to preserve his image and his predominantly white community. Ironically, in a time without cameras on smartphones, his unjust actions are only uncovered when a pizza girl provides the media with a videotape containing the boss's interview with the white couple about the true story behind the incident.

Cage's Amos was the perfect opportunity to explore how Lower class men are mistreated regardless of their race. While it is touched upon in a few places, it is never explored as fully as Jackson's mistreatment. It wouldn't be the last time Jackson played a racially motivated character, as in his later roles Die slowly with all your might And Wave had similarities to Andrew Sterling. Despite all its shortcomings, Amos and Andrew remains a fascinating part of Cage and Jackson's filmographies.

Amos and Andrew is available to rent on Prime Video in the US

Amos & Andrew (1993)

When a misunderstanding leads to a false accusation from a respected African-American playwright, a bumbling local sheriff hires a petty criminal to defuse the situation. This comedic film explores themes of racial stereotypes and social justice through a series of escalating and absurd misadventures.

Release date

March 5, 1993

director

E. Max Fry

Duration

96 minutes

writer

E. Max Fry

Character(s)

Amos Odell, Andrew Sterling, Cecil Tolliver, Phil Gillman, Judy Gillman

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Rent on Prime Video