User Reviews (26)

Add a Review

  • The film has the earmarks of a vanity project. In his eagerness to catalog the indignities suffered by blacks in the Hollywood of 1942, the writer/director/producer has neglected to include a compelling storyline or characters with depth and unmuddled motivations. He needs to realize that the audience that seeks out a movie focused on black America is already aware of our sorry history and feels patronized by such heavy handedness. The ones who might need that sermon won't be watching the movie in any case. Walter Mosley shoehorns alot of social awareness into his stories, but the plots and characters keep us riveted.

    The writing in several scenes is tone-deaf and cringe-inducing, such as the one where the starlet's lover has been fatally shotgunned and our hero, Archie, is dancing about with excitement in anticipation of the studio boss rewarding him with a movie part, seemingly unaware of her distress. That should never have made the cut.

    His direction is subpar as well, with performances that often seem embellished and pointlessly busy while lacking in specificity and clear intention. Maybe the actors just needed a couple more takes or some deft adjustments, but they didn't get them.

    The acting is a mixed bag. The lead has some really good moments and others where he seems vague or doesn't seem to mean what he's saying. Some of the supporting performances are right on the money, others not some much. But as Spike Lee has said, it's the director's fault if a bad performance reaches the screen. He needs to keep going until he gets a good one.

    Technically, the movie's sound makes it into professional territory, though some of the vocal performances occasionally sound under-miked. On the other hand, the photography and look of the film are outstanding, first-rate.
  • C for effort. I applaud the writer/director's tenacity but please. I hate to be harsh, but...Study writing and directing. And try harder with getting the right cast. I am pretty shocked he is a professional sound guy--the production values were not great either.

    The dialogue was awful. Just awful. And the acting---somebody else said that is on the director and I partly agree. Some people cannot act no matter how many takes but a skilled director can make a mediocre actor look good. This director did his actors no favors. Some of his bit players had skills.

    And for God sake, quit padding all the reviews with glowing reviews from cast and crew!
  • Warning: Spoilers
    I love films about the early years of Hollywood. This film not only takes us back to those golden years, but it also incorporates civil rights into the mix which gives the story even more life. We often forget what Black actors experienced (and still experience) and how actors were forced into a stereotype. This is a very unique film! Watch it.
  • nogodnomasters23 February 2020
    Warning: Spoilers
    The title comes from the Jim Crow standard of using a brown paper bag for color for discrimination.

    Archie Glass (Rasheed Stephens) lives in Los Angeles and desires to be in films, even playing a token role. He thinks of himself as "just a man" and not black, which becomes his downfall in a world that sees him as black. Archie gets a chance when actress Mona Lane (Amanda Holquin) goes missing. He gets wind she has been kidnapped in southern LA and offers his services to the studio to find her in exchange for a role.

    The film is about African-Americans who were ahead of their time getting steam-rolled over by the white establishment. Hollywood has the power to define us.

    Guide: No sex or nudity. Don't recall any swearing.
  • Bravo to writer/director Detdrich McClure and to all the folks that helped to make this gem of an indie film! Actor Rasheed Stephen did such a good job. Actually I enjoyed all of the actors. I thought director Detrich McClure did a really good job in telling the story and also keeping me engaged. I never drifted off which is rare for me. I clearly give this film a thumbs up!!
  • I was hesitate about watching at first especially cause it was an indie time piece that indies can't afford to get it right. Well I'm glad I watched it cause they got this time piece right. Set designs was very good. Acting good and the story line was good. It has a surprise ending too. A good watch
  • mskmcclure17 February 2020
    A movie that pays tribute to old Hollywood and the struggle to make it.
  • Just watched this on Amazon Prime - what a beautifully crafted period movie! Loved the McClure's writing/ direction, and the set designs were outstanding.

    Such a lovingly executed indie film!
  • Period films are a strain on even the biggest Hollywood budgets and nearly impossible for low budgets, just one of the reasons this film really impressed me. Attention to detail apparent in every shot - costumes, locations, and, more importantly, the performances are very strong. Obviously a passion project for everyone involved, and very timely. Not surprised that it won Best Film at the San Diego Black Film Festival.
  • I remember reading about blackface in history class years ago, but never considered the era that followed - the first black actors in films. Brown Paper Bag is an indie set in that time period, bundled in a noir style actor-turned-detector. I'd highly recommend this film interested in a look back at this historical point in black film-making history.
  • donwandoza1 April 2020
    Well done!! I was really shocked In how well they did with the set design. It really had a feel from the past. The actors also really caught my attention and wouldn't let me go. I really recommend giving this indie a watch!
  • I loved this film!! LA Confidential is an all time favorite of mine and Brown Paper Bag is now another!! Film Noir is one of the coolest genres out there and this film brings it back with an excellent story. Set in 1940s Hollywood, Brown Paper Bag tells the story of a black man struggling to work in films in Hollywood. The actor in this movie is incredible-- so vulnerable and well played by Rasheed Stephens. I also thoroughly enjoyed Caesar James' performance. Truly well made and entertaining movie- highly recommend!
  • A really good film that wonderfully brought to mind Denzel Washington and Devil in the Blue Dress. Intelligent, suspenseful and true to it's times. Great cast and story, and set here in my hometown of L.A. This is a terrific period piece with authentic roots. Excellent!
  • The Brown Paper Bag is a film noir that takes place in 1940 about Rasheed Stephens whose quest is to make it in Hollywood but he must overcome many obstacles including stereotypes and racism.
  • This period piece seems particularly relevant given today's race relations. I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and the insight it gave into Hollywood in the '40s. The sound design and cinematography really helped to create the world to place us in that era. Recommended!
  • Brown Paper Bag is an enjoyable film noir with a good mystery. The actors, music, costumes, sets/locations were all on point and looked great! The story took a lot of interesting and sometimes surprising turns. Rasheed Stephens was great as the lead.
  • I LOVE stories set in old-timey Hollywood. Something about them feels so classy but also sort of dangerous. I felt like this film really captured the essence and feel of old tinseltown which is pretty hard to do with an indie film budget. Plus who doesn't love a good noir mystery? I would definitely recommend this to friends.
  • harriscalvin-13 April 2020
    I really enjoyed watching Brown Paper Bag. Director Detdrich McClure did a good job leading all of his actors to solid performances. The music, cinematography, & editing were all on point.
  • Period piece costumes and picture cars were great too.
  • It's rare to see an indie period piece of this quality. The production design was particularly outstanding, as was the cinematography. Compelling story of racism in the 40's in Hollywood. Well done!
  • It was embarrassing that I had not seen "Brown Paper Bag" up until now - but now I am glad. A few months ago, I would have seen a masterful example of independent filmmaking. Today it is more, it is a film for it is time. There is no better way to see what needs to be seen in our culture today then to see what it looked like yesterday - and how vividly it still plays. This is a good film with an important statement.

    All that important stuff said - it is also a great ride. LA noir on a budget? That is taking a leap and Detdrich McClure stuck his landing. I smiled again and again at the pure craftsmanship. Those moments where you know that if the camera panned just a little bit, we would be jerked back into modern day but Detdrich keeps us in another time, when it was easier to see the belly of the beast. Archie learns sad lessons in his journey, but it is not a spoiler to say there is some redemption for him...and he gets to meet an incredibly wise man along the way.
  • An exceptional period drama set in Golden Era Hollywood where an African America seeks to make it in showbiz, but the odds against him are anything but golden. The film is an insightful, accurate depiction of the culture and a fair indictment on the tyranny/racism of the film industry of that era. The film's protagonist, Archie Glass, is a dreamer and idealist, choosing not to wallow in victim-mentality, and endears himself to us, as he seeks to overcome the hurdles in his way with pro-activeness and dignity (mostly). Like the movies he yearns to be in, the adventure he finds himself in becomes larger than life with characters that are colourful and morally-questionable. Ultimately, his choices are a road to self-discovery and acceptance, and a declaration of authenticity and integrity. For an indie film, this film deserves high marks for it's production design and overall delivery. The acting is superb. And I really enjoyed the music!
  • It is very difficult to do a period film on a lower budget, but this was well done. The story was interesting and the characters were engaging, I look forward to more from this filmmaker.
  • Story demonstrates main character acting inside the movie business of movie making. The cinematic movie production features new low light capture in the shadows light.
  • Great movie. Wow. This movie will take you on an emotional ride. A very well written script and for the most part very well acted. Director Detdrich McClure does a very nice job of avoiding any predicable story lines and leaves us guessing at will come next. A good watch. I recommend it.
An error has occured. Please try again.