ANUVAHOOD DVD Review
ANUVAHOOD, the movie, is exactly what it says it is, literally and figuratively.
Literally, the setting in which the film takes place is just another ‘hood, albeit a British one (“another” is “Anuva’ in British slang).
Figuratively, the self-styled urban comedy is just another funny “hood” movie, drawing on barely disguised inspiration from Ice Cube’s ‘hood classic, Friday. In other words, if you liked Friday, chances are you may enjoy Anuvahood.
Something to know though. One of the movie’s central characters is actually the British-Jamaican patois mash up that can sail over the heads of the uninitiated (the movie doesn’t have subtitles). Those without the ear for this argot may get left behind. I’ll tell you this much: Wasteman means a lay about. Someone who is quite simply a waste of time.
The chief wasteman in Anuvahood is Kenneth (Adam Deacon). He is white, but it’s clear he would rather be black. As it is, he fancies himself a ‘wicked man’ who ‘run tings,’ which is why he calls himself K, because everybody knows Ks are respected, even the white ones, but Kenneths get their cheeks pinched by grannies. Too bad everyone knows Kenneth is soft. Even his 7-year-old sister pushes him around.
The real ‘badman’ in Kenneth’s hood is, Tyrone (Richie Campbell). Tyrone, whose chief comic trait is his speech impediment, constantly menaces the people in his neighborhood, including Kenneth and his crew. But when Kenneth’s troubles force him to reinvent himself as a small-time street hustler (with the help of said crew), Tyrone begins to pay them special attention – and as they say, hilarity ensues.
The DVD special reveals that Deacon, the actor directed and also co-wrote Anuvahood with Campbell. It’s a nice surprise to see that Deacon is only a wasteman on film and that Campbell isn’t really that repulsive.
Anuvahood isn’t without its irritations though – sometimes the characters scream their lines and some of the acting is pedestrian – but there are genuinely funny moments.
Final verdict: On a slow Saturday night Anuvahood beats watching your DVR recordings of Jersey Shore.
The Anuvahood DVD is available to purchase on Amazon. You can also visit the official website here.
