"Zebrahead" is one of those solid little films which may be unfamiliar to a mass audience. Written and directed by Anthony Drazan, it's set in Detroit, in a mostly black neighborhood where white, Jewish high school student Zack (Michael Rapaport, "True Romance") and his black schoolmate Dee (DeShonn Castle, in his only film role) are best friends. Complicating matters further is the arrival on the scene of Dees' pretty cousin Nikki (N'Bushe Wright, "Blade"); Zack takes a quick interest in her and soon they are dating. Dee thinks nothing of it, but characters on both sides of the color line have plenty to say about the situation.
"Zebrahead" does earn some marks for taking a measured, interesting look at race relations in America circa 1992. Drazan doesn't pretend to have all the answers, but he certainly raises good points and takes a realistic approach to his material. The characters do tend to be flawed, multi-dimensional, and believable. Although Drazan has his plot reach a pivotal and dark moment with a moment of horrible violence, he prevents things from getting too melodramatic. He also dares to keep things from being neatly resolved at the end.
There are no big "names" in this cast, although the late, great Ray Sharkey ("The Idolmaker") is present as Zacks' colorful, womanizing father. Mostly, the cast is made up by promising newcomers and a handful of good character actors (Kevin Corrigan, Dan Ziskie, Martin Priest, Paul Butler). Rapaport and Wright, in their starring film debuts, are engaging as the couple at the core of the story. Running them some competition is the memorable Ron Johnson ("Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit") as a gangbanger who's also very interested in Nikki.
Overall, "Zebrahead" is a good little picture worthy of more attention. Filmed on location in Detroit, it features a top score by Taj Mahal and a very good soundtrack.
"Presented", and co-executive produced, by Oliver Stone.
Seven out of 10.
"Zebrahead" does earn some marks for taking a measured, interesting look at race relations in America circa 1992. Drazan doesn't pretend to have all the answers, but he certainly raises good points and takes a realistic approach to his material. The characters do tend to be flawed, multi-dimensional, and believable. Although Drazan has his plot reach a pivotal and dark moment with a moment of horrible violence, he prevents things from getting too melodramatic. He also dares to keep things from being neatly resolved at the end.
There are no big "names" in this cast, although the late, great Ray Sharkey ("The Idolmaker") is present as Zacks' colorful, womanizing father. Mostly, the cast is made up by promising newcomers and a handful of good character actors (Kevin Corrigan, Dan Ziskie, Martin Priest, Paul Butler). Rapaport and Wright, in their starring film debuts, are engaging as the couple at the core of the story. Running them some competition is the memorable Ron Johnson ("Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit") as a gangbanger who's also very interested in Nikki.
Overall, "Zebrahead" is a good little picture worthy of more attention. Filmed on location in Detroit, it features a top score by Taj Mahal and a very good soundtrack.
"Presented", and co-executive produced, by Oliver Stone.
Seven out of 10.