Whiteboyz

Whiteboyz, a 1999 film directed by Marc Levin, is a thought-provoking comedy-drama that tackles issues of culture, identity, and societal norms, all wrapped up in a healthy dose of dark humor and hip hop culture. The film stars Danny Hoch, Dash Mihok, and Mark Webber.

The movie takes us on a journey through rural Iowa. We meet the main character, Flip Dogg, played by Danny Hoch, who is a white teenager obsessed with hip hop. Flip dreams of being a notorious rapper, and he is convinced he could make it big if he wasn't stuck in his idyllic Iowa town populated with cornfields and devoid of the hip hop scene. Flip rebels against the norms of his quiet, farming community and lives out his dream in his mind with his friends Khalid (Eugene Byrd) and Trevor (Dash Mihok).

Hoch’s portrayal of Flip is an astute caricature of cultural appropriation and identity crisis. It helps that Hoch also contributed to the script and co-wrote the screenplay along with director Levin and Garth Belcon. This collaboration allows Hoch's character to fully capture the misguided passion and naivety of a small town boy trying to find his place in a culture that he loves but has little genuine understanding of.

As an oddity in a purely Caucasian neighborhood, Flip and his friends perform exaggerated stereotypes of black culture, adopting African American Vernacular English and pretending they are from the ghettos of Chicago. Their portrayal is played for comedic effect, allowing the audience to see the absurdity in their attempts at mimicking a culture that they have only experienced through music videos and rap songs.

Though the movie follows a comedic tone, it does, however, take a serious turn when the boys decide to take their fantasies to the next level. Driven by Flip's desire to experience the life of a rapper firsthand, the trio embarks on a trip to Chicago's South Side. Here, they hope to immerse themselves in the hip hop culture and urban grittiness they’ve seen in their favorite hip hop videos. They believe that living in “the hood” and experiencing its trials and tribulations will give authenticity to their rap and catapult them to stardom.

Whiteboyz also stars Piper Perabo as Sara, a girl in their town who offers a contrast to the boys' illusions and serves as a voice of reason. The movie also features appearances from notable hip hop artists like Snoop Dogg, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, and Fat Joe, lending a level of authenticity to the movie's portrayal of the rap scene.

Despite its light-hearted and humorous approach, Whiteboyz digs deeper into the implications of cultural appropriation and the misrepresentation of black culture as perceived through the media. The movie’s stark realism shows when Flip and his friends are faced with the harsh realities of life in the Chicago ghetto, which clashes with the romanticized vision they have constructed in their minds.

As the story progresses, their journey takes an unexpected turn, which forces them to confront their ignorant perceptions, bringing a transformation in their understanding of the struggles and realities of the life they dreamed of adapting.

With Mark Webber’s noteworthy performance as be the clueless friend, and Hoch’s total immersion in his exaggerated character, the film stands firm on its comedic and dramatic groundwork. The narrative progresses with satiric dialogue, exploring racial identity and seasoned performances making it a colorful critique of cultural appropriation.

Marc Levin directs this unconventional film, with a screenplay also contributed by Richard Stratton and story by Danny Hoch. Though controversial and offbeat in its narrative style, Whiteboyz was indeed a forerunner in discussing issues of racial identity, appropriation, and youth culture during its time.

Combining an engaging plot with social commentary, Whiteboyz is a unique film that humorously yet thoughtfully explores cultural identity and the lure and influence of hip hop. This bold, somewhat satirical film does a commendable job of depicting a small-town boy’s pursuit of a fantasy that ultimately leads to life-changing lessons.