Modern comedy “Paradise Records” is a chaotic, crude, and undeniably funny ride that feels like the kind of movie you’d stumble across late at night and end up watching all the way through with your friends while laughing, cringing, and inevitably quoting it the next day.
The rapper Logic makes his directorial debut here and also stars as Cooper, a down-on-his-luck record store owner trying to save his shop, his employees, and maybe his own sanity in the process. The film has major “Clerks” and “Friday” homage energy, complete with an oddball ensemble, an anything-goes tone, and a script that loves to push the boundaries.
This movie goes hard on its edgy humor, so much so that it becomes almost uncomfortably misogynistic, sexist, homophobic, and even a little racist at times. The frequent use of the “n” word and other loaded language is bound to put some viewers off, even though it’s clearly meant to reflect a raw, unfiltered version of reality. Whether that works or not will totally depend on your tolerance for this kind of comedy. Still, it’s hard to deny the film’s authenticity. It refreshingly never feels like it’s trying to be politically correct, and that’s kind of the point.
When the film works, it really works. The chemistry among the cast is great, the laughs are frequent and genuine, and the film’s heart (especially in how it explores Cooper’s biracial identity) is surprisingly genuine. There are some super fun cameos, a killer soundtrack, and a third act twist that turns the whole thing into a semi-serious crime story. That shift slows the momentum a bit, but doesn’t fully derail the fun.
Loud and a little offensive, “Paradise Records” is rough around the edges, but that’s also what makes it feel refreshing in a world of polished, sanitized comedy. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re a fan of stoner workplace comedies with a ton of personality, you’ll probably find something to love in a movie that’s not afraid to swing for the fences.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 