"Idlewild" is an anachronistic musical that takes place in Idlewild, GA circa 1930's or 40's with music from the 2000's. I don't even think they bothered researching for this period piece. They didn't even bother covering up Big Boi's chest tattoo!

As for the plot, it was fairly basic. You had Percival Jenkins (Andre Benjamin aka Andre 3000) who was a mortician trying to make it as a piano player. He had a strict father who didn't approve of his playing at Church's, the local juke joint. He would find love in a woman named Angel Davenport (Paula Patton) who was a talented singer.

Then there was Rooster (Big Boi) who was a philandering performer at Church's. He was constantly at odds with his wife, Zora (Malinda Williams),who stuck around just because. Rooster inherited Church's when the local gangster, Wilbur aka Trumpy (Terrence Howard),shot the club's original owner, Sunshine Ace (Faizon Love) and his own boss, Spats (Ving Rhames).

"Idlewild" boiled down to the night life scene in an isolated part of the South. The rap songs were cool, but I could've done without Andre's ballads. Quite simply, this movie is not memorable at all.

Percival Jenkins (André 3000) and Rooster (Big Boi) are childhood friends. Percival works at his father's (Ben Vereen) morgue, and playing piano at a club called Church owned by Sunshine Ace (Faizon Love). Meanwhile Rooster gambles, parties and gets married to Zora (Malinda Williams). He also performs at the Church Club. Set in the prohibition era, this is wild fun if you can follow the story.

There is no doubt that music video director Bryan Barber has a vision. But it's too wild to sit through for 2 hours. I lasted about 5 minutes before it becomes system overload. André Benjamin is a plausible lead actor, but he can't maintain the attention of the audience in this tiring story. Ultimately, this is unwatchable although it is interesting to watch for awhile.

There are two reasons I tuned into this film. One, I love Terrance Howard (currently on the big screen in "Pride),and two, I was hoping to see another "Chicago"-style musical extravaganza. I was definitely disappointed with "Dreamgirls." It just didn't measure up, but "Idlewild" comes much closer to the gold standard.

Forget the story of the cigarette girl who wants to be a singer (Paula Patton),or the mortician wanting to be a piano player (Andre Benjamin) and their eventual romance. That was just a side story. Just as was the story of Trumpy (Terrance Howard) and Rooster (Antwan Patton). They added interesting bang bang, sweet love, and tremendous moaning to what is essentially a musical extravaganza.

And that is just what we got with the tunes of Benjamin and Patton along with the golden trumpet of Autouro Sandoval in the background. Outstanding choreography and luscious costuming adding to the mix and gave us a punch that was straight to the gut.

If you are not tapping your feet and clapping you hands at the end, then you are ready to be laid out.