In the late `70s when roller skating was a way of life, X (Bow Wow) and his pals ruled supreme. But when the doors of their local skating rink close, it marks the end of an era and the beginning of another that sees the boys venture into foreign territory – uptown’s Sweetwater Roller Rink, complete with its over-the-top skaters and beautiful girls. Through his preparation for the showdown of the season – the Roller Jam skate off with the Sweetwater crew – X manages to find himself and also help his dad (Chi McBride) get back on track.
It’s the summer of ’78 and if you’re looking for good times there is just one place to go: the local roller disco, where the music is hot, the girls are hotter, and the entire atmosphere is dynamite. It is here, under the swirling colored lights and the spinning disco ball that thousands will experience lessons in friendship and love … and sometimes life teaches that you have to really get down in order to get back up on your feet.
From director Malcolm D. Lee (Undercover Brother) comes a fresh — and undeniably funky — coming of age comedy on wheels: Roll Bounce. Set at the height of the roller disco era, when “jam skating” was born, the film combines the retro thrills of 70s dance and music with the moving story of a family trying to find a way to roll through hard times to a better future.
Filled with classic soul tunes, outrageous skating moves and the unforgettable romance of the “couples skate,” Roll Bounce is an infectiously fun trip into a world where when the lights went low and the music came up, you could roll in to anything.
It all begins with Xavier Smith (Bow Wow), also known as X, a young roller wiz who, along with his crew, once ruled supreme at their South Side of Chicago rink, the Palisades Gardens. But when the doors of their favorite hangout close, it marks the end of an era and the beginning of another that sees the boys venturing into completely foreign territory.
For X and his friends, Sweetwater is a brave new world that gives way to an impossible dream: to win the rink’s annual Roller Jam Skate-Off. It’s more than just a chance to take home a trophy for X — it’s his opportunity to fulfill the potential his mother always saw in him and prove his own self-worth. Now, as these spirited South Side skaters take on Sweetwater’s greatest champ — that superfine roller god named Sweetness (Wesley Jonathan) — they’re going to have to rock, roll, bounce, boogie… and find their own true rhythm in the process.
Roll Bounce is directed by Malcolm D. Lee (Undercover Brother, The Best Man) from an original screenplay penned by Norman Vance, Jr. (Beauty Shop, “Girlfriends”). It is produced by Robert Teitel and George Tillman, Jr., who previously partnered as producers of the blockbuster hits Barbershop and Barbershop 2, and as producer and director respectively for Soul Food and Men of Honor.
Bow Wow, who made his motion picture debut in the family hit Like Mike, was most recently seen opposite Cedric The Entertainer, Vanessa Williams, Solange Knowles and Steve Harvey in Fox Searchlight Pictures’ Johnson Family Vacation. Chi McBride, who was nominated AFI Actor of the Year for his role on “Boston Public,” has appeared in dozens of films including I, Robot and Undercover Brother. Credits for Mike Epps include Friday After Next, All About the Benjamins and How High.
For his role on television’s “What I Like About You,” Wesley Jonathan was nominated for a Breakout Star Teen Choice Award. His feature film credits include The United States of Leland and How To Get The Man’s Foot Out of Your Ass.. Meagan Good’s feature filmography includes the hit films You Got Served and Biker Boyz. Nick Cannon, whose feature credits also include Love Don’t Cost a Thing and Shall We Dance?, recently received two MTV Award nominations including Best Breakthrough Male Performance for his role in Drumline.
Roll Bounce is co-produced by Jeremiah Samuels (Love Jones) and executive produced by Dana J. Reid and Adam Robinson. The film marks the first director of photography credit for James Muro, who has served as camera operator on more than 50 films including X-Men 2 and The Fast and the Furious. The production designer is William A. Elliott (Scary Movie 3, Undercover Brother).
Roll Bounce (2005)
Directed by: Malcolm D. Lee
Starring: Bow Wow, Chi McBride, Mike Epps, Wesley Jonathan, Meagan Good, Khleo Thomas, Kellita Smith, Charlie Murphy, Nick Cannon, Daniel Yabut, Paul Wesley, Busisiwe Irvin
Screenplay by: Norman Vance, Jr.
Production Design by: William Elliot, William A. Elliott
Cinematography by: James M. Muro
Film Editing by: George Bowers, Paul Millspaugh
Costume Design by: Danielle Hollowell
Set Decoration by: Tricia Schneider
Art Direction by: Gary Baugh
Music by: Stanley Clarke, Nile Rodgers
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language and some crude humor.
Distributed by: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Release Date: September 30, 2005
Visits: 154
