This movie was a complete minstrel show.
An urban, hip, down, cool, black man wants to become a news anchor. He's even taken some classes at the local community college. He's afforded the opportunity to be on the news after stepping in for a reporter who was killed while covering a hostage situation. In order for this wannabe newsman, Dexter Jackson (Terrence Carson), to make it he will have to sell his soul. The movie is about the worthlessness of modern news that goes strictly for ratings and about relinquishing one's self for success.
I thought Spike Lee was heavy handed with delivering messages in his movie. Livin Large makes Spike Lee look like a delicate fingered maestro. They wanted to make it abundantly clear that Dexter was 'hood, aka black. That meant poor grammar, loud clothes, an innate ability to dance, and complete ignorance of appropriate behavior (e.g. yelling "this is dope!" during a funeral). He did everything short of painting on white lips and tap dancing. Of course they also had to show his natural inclination towards white women because what black man isn't turned on by white women?
Then, in order for him to be successful he had to do a complete 180. He went beyond simple correct enunciation and proper grammar; he adopted white colloquialisms and a nasally voice, he completely forgot how to dance, and he wanted nothing to do with his old neighborhood.
Because it was a comedy I'm assuming they intended to magnify everything, but doing this in the name of comedy doesn't excuse this movie at all. Comedy or not I was still offended and intellectually insulted. I get that they wanted to show that the news can be of quality and black people shouldn't sell out I just think they did a terrible job. I like the subtler movies that can convey the same message with a more realistic approach. Livin Large was nothing more than black face comedy in a different garb.
