“American Pimp” is documentary film by the Hughes Brothers who have made such notable films as “Menace To Society” and “Dead Presidents.” The film is primarily made up of interviews with former and current pimps with a few excerpts from Blaxplotation movies thrown in for good measure. Also included are interviews and comments from "hoes" and rap superstar Too $hort. The film is truly fascinating and at some points no matter what your perception of pimps was before viewing the film, you may actually find yourself having sympathy and understanding for these purveyors of the oldest profession. After watching the fim, one can't help but think that given different socio-economic circumstances these guys could have been Ross Perot or Bill Gates.
You'll be shocked by much of what they say, while at the same time you will be dazzled by their intelligence and wit. I think that this is a well put together documentary that covers an offbeat and interesting subject that will not necessarily leave you feeling like you've enjoyed the film, but it will make you feel like you've come away from it with more knowledge than when you sat down to watch it. I must give this film four stars for it's ability to open the viewer up to a world that he or she would most likely never get a glimpse of. Also, a word to the wise for the guys: I wouldn't suggest renting this film to watch with your girlfriend or wife because any self-respecting woman, even the most objective female viewer, will be appalled by the treatment of women in this film to some degree or another. However, if you doubt the moral convictions of your girlfriend or wife and care to test them out, this is definitely the film to do it with. If you don't want a detailed synopsis of the film's content do not read any further...
THE PIMPS: Kenny Red, Mel Taylor, Sir Captain, Gorgeous Dre, Rosebudd, Danny Brown, Bradley, Mr. Ivy, Bishop Don Magic Juan, R.P., C-Note, Fillmore Slim, Schaunte, Payroll and Dennis Hof
THE HOES: Latrice, Jade and Spicy
The film opens with musings from the retired pimp Rosebudd in which he says, “What I got to tell you is more powerful than a head on collision goin’ ninety miles per hour on a one way street...Are you ready girl? I’m a muthaf*ckin’ pimp!” Next they interview random people on the street asking them “What do you think of pimps?” "Joe and Joan Public's" answers range from "guys with big gold chains" to "scumbags."
The next segment of the film is entitled “Origins Of The Pimp.” Gorgeous Dre from New Orleans comments on how long prostitution has existed and explains that Mary Magdeline was ho long before there were any pimps. Danny Brown from Los Angeles explains that prostitution was once more widely accepted and it wasn’t until it became known that Black men were making a tremendous amount of money from it and not paying taxes that it began to be viewed as such a “dreaded thing.”
The second segment of the film is “Pimp Style” Various pimps explain the importance of an expensive wardrobe in relation to the business of pimping. Some of the pimps explain how alligator shoes and Versace clothing are essential attire. The viewer is given a brief pimp fashion show at 1998 Player’s Ball in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
In the segment, “International Pimping,” the pimps outline how the move around to keep their pockets full. Next the viewer learns the answer to the question “Why Does A Ho Need A Pimp?” “If a ho doesn’t get no instruction, she’ll be headed for self destruction.” Kenny Red says with a chuckle. Bishop Don Magic Juan explains that a ho must be a “thoroughbread” and that prostitutes have to possess various physical and mental attributes. After one is told why a pimp's job is so important the segment entitled “The Turn Out,” logically follows. During this segment the pimps explain where they find their perspective hoes and how they convince them to work for them. They explain the profile they look for when choosing their unpaid employees. That's right; the women get no percentage of the profits. Just about the time you gain some semblance of respect for the pimps as street entrepeneurs, C-Note explains that, “I don’t steal nuthin’, I ain’t steal nuthin’ but a b*tch’s mind.”
Next you'll learn how pimps never really steal hoes from each other or at least they don't call it stealing. In this segment entitled, "Knockin’" you will learn how pimps take the hoes of others and get their own hoes taken. Immediately after the explanation of the term comes the next section entitled “Fillmore Slim Gets Knocked,” which presents a fine example of "knockin'." During this segment of the film Rosebudd and Fillmore Slim relate a story that serves as an example of why Fllmore Slim is so legendary. Just when the pimps of Los Angeles think they have taken all of Slim's hoes, he turns the tables and brings out a second string of "thorougbreads."
In the next segment, “Respect for the Game” some of the pimps explain that
disagreements between genuine pimps are solved with their mouths and not violence and that many of the young men who aspire to be pimps today are too quick to resort to violence due to their lack of intelligence. As one of the pimps puts it, these kind of pimp perpatrators, “...give the game a black eye.” The pimps explain that many of the young hot-tempered pimp perpatrators think they know something about "the game" because they listened to some records and seen a few movies, but the only real way to learn the trade is to learn from older pimps who possess years of wisdom.
The last segment of the film is “Legal Pimps.” As Gorgeous Dre asserts, “A pimp is somebody who lives off the earnings of what woman does. She doesn’t have to be a prostitute, she could be a model.” With that fact established the viewer is introduced to Dennis Hof, who manages the Bunny Ranch in Nevada explains that legal regulation in terms of prostitution makes it much safer and even allows the government to get in on the profits.
As the film winds down to the end, Bishop Don Magic Juan explains the revelation that prompted him to give up pimping saying, “I was told by one of the greatest pimps that ever lived, his name is called God, that if ya know whatcha got you ain’t got much.” After God supposedly spoke to him he turned his life over to the Lord and was even a minister for a short time. Kenny Red sums it all up best saying, “When it’s all over; said and done, a pimp ain’t got no disability comin’, no unemployment comin’ a pimp ain’t got a God d*mn thing comin’ but what he got out the game.”
If you liked this film you might want to check out the following titles in your local video store: The Mack, Willie Dynamite, Slaughter’s Revenge and Superfly. Or you might want to stroll down to your local library and pick up the book "Pimp" by Iceberg Slim.
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