Livin' Large

Infobox Film
name = Livin' Large


image_size =
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director = Michael Schultz
producer = David V. Picker
writer = William Mosley-Payne
narrator =
starring = Terrence "T.C." Carson
Lisa Arrindell Anderson
Loretta Devine
Blanche Baker
music =
cinematography = Peter Collister
editing = Christopher Holmes
distributor = MGM
released = 1991
runtime = 95 minutes
country = USA
language = English
budget =
gross =
preceded_by =
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website =
amg_id =
imdb_id = 0102322Infobox movie certificates
United_States = R (Restricted)

"Livin' Large!" is a 1991 comedy movie starring Terrence "T.C." Carson, Lisa Arrindell Anderson, and Loretta Devine.

Plot

Carson portrays Dexter Jackson, a young, black deliveryman in Atlanta, who desperately aspires to become a news reporter, to the point to where he's even videotaped himself "reporting". Jackson gets what he considers his big break, when he drives up to a hostage situation. When his idol reporter dies suddenly, Dexter steps in and confronts the hostage-taker, who threatens to kill himself on live television. However, Dexter talks the man out of it, and ratings-obsessed executive producer Kate Penndragin (Blanche Baker) later offers Dexter a reporter position at "News 4 Atlanta".

A recurring gag throughout the film involves Jackson seeing himself on TV with notably different facial features, i.e. thinner lips, straight hair, and a lighter complexion. As Kate tries to transform Dexter's urban image (mainly his dreadlocks, clothing, and diction), he begins questioning whether he's starting to sell out as he becomes more and more successful, in other words, he wonders whether becoming successful also means becoming "white".

Although Dexter begins to fulfill his dream, he also starts forgetting where he came from. He manages to alienate those close to him with tabloid-style exposé stories, i.e. a local barber's illegal numbers racket, and a restaurant's unhealthy cooking styles. Dexter manages to lose his fiancé Toynelle (Arrindell Anderson) after a night on the town results in him spending the night with ditzy weather forecaster, Missy Carnes (Julia Campbell). Dexter also betrays his best friend Baker Moon (Nathaniel 'Afrika' Hall) by revealing a local criminal's plan to commit grand theft auto. However, Baker previously insisted that Dexter not bring up the plan as it could lead to trouble for Baker, which it does, as Baker winds up in the hospital.

After longtime anchor Clifford Worthy (Bernie McInerney) blows up on the air, Kate promotes Dexter to lead anchor and teams him with Missy, much to his chagrin. Kate also arranges a live marriage between the two, which she plans to exploit for ratings. However, in the end, Dexter comes to his senses and calls off the wedding, deciding to go back to Toynelle. He also makes amends to those he stepped over, just to become successful. In the end, Dexter finally reaches his goal, becoming co-anchor at News 4 Atlanta, alongside Clifford Worthy. He also realizes that success does not automatically equate to becoming white.

Box Office and Business

The movie was released in September 1991, and grossed more than $5 million. [ [http://imdb.com/title/tt0102322/business Livin' Large! (1991) - Box office / business ] ]

References

External links

*imdb title|0102322