Chi-Raq

Adapting the ancient Greek comedy Lysistrata to modern times and centered in Chicago, two rival gangs, one led by Chi-Raq (Nick Cannon) the other led by Cyclops (Wesley Snipes), are out for blood against each other; an all out war of man against man until the wise Miss Helen (Angela Bassett) plants the idea of a sex strike in the mind of Lysistrata (Teyonah Parris). Could it be that by denying their men of sex, peace between the warring gangs can be met?Chi-Raq Directed and partially written by Spike Lee, this rhyming homage to the work of Aristophanes works in hugely broad strokes to simplify the massive issue of gun violence in America. Perhaps an oversimplification by reducing men and women to purely sexually driven animals, but a satirical angle/modest proposal that brings plenty of humor to the table to drive a larger discussion– a conversation had by John Cusack’s character Father Mike Corridan, a white preacher who has specifically chosen to work in the hardest part of town, to walk with the people and struggle in a way similar to Christ; it’s Corridan’s point that not only will gun violence have to stop, but jobs will need to be created, and, opportunity and education provided to free those enslaved by violence under the heel of the oppressors. Granted, the solutions in the film come wrapped up in a tidy bow, a little too easy; and, the film could stand to see some fat trimmed for the sake of streamlined storytelling, but don’t be too quick to dismiss this one, the conversation to be started is important. And, lets not forget the muse like narration of Samuel L. Jackson, sharp as ever. No doubt this will divide audiences, brace for political discussion! Chi-Raq is rated R.