HipHop gets a little touch of Lady’s First

by Kathia Woods

We have been sold this lie that life is over once you hit 40. Well Radha Blank has a few thoughts on the matter via The 40-year-old version. She wrote, produced and directed this wonderful comedy about a 40-year-old struggling playwright navigating her way through New York City. She works as a teacher during the day while trying to reignite her career as a playwright. Among all of this she decides to rap. This may seem like a confusing puzzle but on the screen, it translates into a fun adventure.

Radha Blank is a star. She’s funny and beyond talented. The film in some aspect is a love letter to hip- hop as well as New York. She cleverly shows how the city has influenced her as an artist. On the one hand is Harlem that reinforces her connection to Black Theater. Then there is Brooklyn that has supplied some of the best hip-hop. This story is further complicated by Radha getting an opportunity to bring her play to Broadway. So here she is at the intersection of wanting to be an MC while getting a chance to have a play on Broadway.

The movie has several important themes. First you can reinvent yourself at 40. The second should access involve sacrificing your integrity. These two themes are constantly challenged in The 40-year-old version.

This film is extremely funny. Some of the most humorous scenes involve some heavy weights in Hip-Hop such as Styles P and Saddat X. This helps demonstrate that Radha isn’t playing Hip-Hop but fully understands the culture. Also Radha can spit as in rap. There is a part of the film where she takes you the arena of underground battle rap. This is important as she featured Mc’s such as Babs (Making the Band) and other prominent female rappers.

Also the majority of the cast are Mc’s especially the kids that play her students. I would be re-missed as a Philadelphia area resident if I didn’t shout out TJ Atoms. Atoms continues building his resume with a turn as Kamal. Radha students are her cheering section. They support their teacher throughout this crazy journey.

Another highlight of this film is Radha relationship with her best friend Archie. Archie is her agent but most importantly her confident. He’s her longest and most consistent relationship in this film.

The 40-Year-old version incorporates all the things that make New York great. The struggle, the rivalries between the burrows but most importantly it’s the city where dreams do come true. So all my 40 and over crew go after your dreams.

Diversity: It gets an 10. The cast and crew are predominantly minorities.

Scale. 7.5 Radha is a star and your’re never to old to reinvent yourself.