Common Sense Media Review
Musical featuring OutKast has sex, violence, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Idlewild
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Set in 1935 Georgia, IDLEWILD tells the story of childhood friends Percival (André Benjamin of OutKast), who inherits his mortician father's (Ben Vereen) business, and Rooster (Antwan A. Patton, also of OutKast), who's all about the hustle. They end up parting ways, except for when Percival plays piano in "Church," the speakeasy/brothel where Rooster keeps the books and sings. Before Spats (Ving Rhames), the owner of Church, selects his successor, both he and his manager are killed by Trumpy (Terrence Howard). An unseen witness to the murders, Rooster tries to make his own profits by managing Church while paying off Trumpy, who decides the place belongs to him. Percival has his own problems, trying to balance work with playing the piano at night, while also falling in love with new singer Angel (Paula Patton). While the friends' storylines only occasionally intersect, their mutual loyalty helps both achieve their dreams.
Is It Any Good?
Beautifully composed and infectiously energetic, Idlewild often seems more like a two-hour music video than a fully plotted movie. Frequent OutKast collaborator Bryan Barber's first feature extends the twofer project of the group's 2003 double album Speakerboxx/The Love Below, tweaking gangster movie conventions with brilliant choreography, hip-hop beats, and inventive visual compositions.
Alternating between violence and fabulous, energetic hip-hop dance numbers (and a knockout blues performance by Macy Gray), in addition to Percival Sr.'s devotion to his long-dead wife and Rooster's seemingly divine encounter with a needy grandmother (Cicely Tyson), Idlewild has too much going on. But its mix of eras and aesthetics is invigorating, as are its fantastic dance numbers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the friendship between Rooster and Percival in Idlewild. Though they hardly appear on-screen together, how does the film connect them? How are their transformations significant, as the stereotypically "gangster" Rooster becomes a devoted family man and the shy Percival becomes a star piano player?
How does the film represent Black men and women? Does it repeat damaging stereotypes, or is it OK when the filmmakers themselves are Black?
How does the film use music (singing and dancing) to further the plot?
How does Percival's decision to follow his dreams and leave his father's business affect his father?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 25, 2006
- On DVD or streaming : December 6, 2006
- Cast : Andre Benjamin , Antwan Big Boi Patton , Terrence Howard
- Director : Bryan Barber
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Musical
- Run time : 120 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence, sexuality, nudity and language
- Last updated : December 2, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate