be this a comedy or be it a drama . i begin this review by ask this question because the film that i just witness and hollywood shuffle and be neither funny or rather dramatic . while it try so hard to make a point and because of this lack of definition ( comedy or drama ) and the clever theme and point remark be lose . while i be a strong believer that there be too much racial profile happen in hollywood and even today and i do not believe that townsend directorial debut do much to stop it . instead and i feel it only add more fuel to the fire . townsend comic timing in this film be disastrous due to the fact that the element he be suppose to be make fun of and he be instead promote and vice versa . the part that be suppose to be serious be somehow destroy by the poor lack of funny comedy . townsend have a decent concept with this film and but sadly the execution be what ultimately hurt this film . if you watch the preview before the film ( which i constantly do ) and you will immediately get the wrong impression of what you be go to see . the preview give the impression of a very intelligent and comic film that pride itself on the intelligence of the viewer and but the actually film could not be far from the truth . the main problem with hollywood shuffle be not story itself ( because it be lack in elaboration ) while it be townsend direction . he have a wonderful concept with this film . exploit the hollywood that exploit our race . decent idea and but why couldn not he execute it very well . the first reason be that his idea be too random and sporadic . the structure of this film be like watch a heart attack on a monitor at the hospital and we be literally everywhere without any warning or map . it be obvious that townsend have quite a bit to say and but only a short amount of time to do it in . so and instead of define his character and develop his theme and and actually create a smart film and he just throw it all together and pray that it work . sadly and it doesn not . instead of a smart comedy and we have a hodgepodge of so many idea and comedic skit and and underused actor that this film go from decent to nearly unwatchable . what hurt townsend the most be his brief and attempt to be funny and interruption throughout the film . from battle a villain know a jerry curl to parody siskel and ebert and townsend attempt to poke fun while speak a message about the film industry falter . this be because these small intermittent skit actually distract from the central focus of the film and actually destroy internally . while townsend seem to be try to make a joke about life in hollywood and he actually be simply connect to every stereotype and cliché in the book . what could have be beautiful satire transforms into simply generic humor that never quite stand apart from the rest . so and if you find yourself not laugh at the humor of this story and perhaps there be some comfort in know that some of the wayans brother be around to help spice up this dull story . wrong . the wayans be in this film and but townsend demonstrate that he have the ability to even bring the bad out even in this entertaining family . definitely in their pre in live color moment and we see that comedy be something that all need to constantly improve upon . perhaps it be townsend direction and or just maybe this atrocious story and but these typically funny comedian be obviously underused and ignore when it come to critic of this film . i just think that with the talent pool that townsend have to pull from that hollywood shuffle would have be funny and bright and and a true stab at this obvious hollywood dilemma . sadly and it be none of the above . finally and i would like to say that this be a workable film . there be some moment ( while they be few and way far between ) that have a smile on my face and the final product just do not settle well with me . townsend can be funny and but in this film it just felt like he be play against himself and instead of through his personal experience and trouble . i realize that he be probably speak the truth and but it never come through a that . instead and we be thread through a weak story and which support itself with idiotic flash clip that may have work for a sitcom and but surely do not work for this film . even for those that comment that this be his directorial debut and that he be learn from this film and i would have to disagree . if you be start fresh and either have a tight script or define theme . townsend have neither of these and and combine with the inability to control his actor and he just fail in a ball of flame . overall and this be rather disappointing to watch . it remind me of a grade school spell bee where it be finally your child time to spell . the word be tough and but a the first two to three letter come out and you think that it be go to work perfectly and but then there be that random p and silent r that force your excitement to come tumble down . that be how i felt with hollywood shuffle . at first and i saw the potential and i saw the theme and the motive behind the picture and but through fuzzy and inexperienced technique and after the first couple of scene and i experience that deep fall feeling . townsend sink his own ship on this one and and i do not think hollywood shuffle will ever re submerge a a pivotal moment of hollywood cinema . grade represent out of .