Livin' Large
Encyclopedia
Livin' Large! is a 1991
comedy movie starring Terrence "T.C." Carlson
, Lisa Arrindell Anderson, and Loretta Devine
.
who aspires to become a news reporter. Jackson gets what he considers his big break, when he drives up to a hostage situation. When the reporter on the scene is killed, 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 alienates 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 loses 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
. 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.
1991 in film
The year 1991 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*April 28 - Bonnie Raitt marries actor Michael O'Keefe in New York* Terminator 2: Judgment Day, became one of the landmarks for science fiction action films with its groundbreaking visual effects from Industrial Light & Magic.*November...
comedy movie starring Terrence "T.C." Carlson
Terrence C. Carson
Terrence C. Carson is an American singer and stage, film, and television actor. He is best known for portraying Kyle Barker on the FOX sitcom Living Single and Star Wars: The Clone Wars as the voice double for Samuel L. Jackson. He is also well known for voicing Kratos in the God of War series...
, Lisa Arrindell Anderson, and Loretta Devine
Loretta Devine
Loretta Devine is an American stage, film and television actress known for her roles on Boston Public, Grey's Anatomy, and Eli Stone. She also provided her voice for the stop motion animated television series The PJs. Devine is a NAACP Image Award and Emmy award winning actress.-Early life:Devine...
.
Plot
Carson portrays Dexter Jackson, a young, black deliveryman in Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
who aspires to become a news reporter. Jackson gets what he considers his big break, when he drives up to a hostage situation. When the reporter on the scene is killed, 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
Blanche Baker
-Personal life:Born Blanche Garfein in New York City, she is the daughter of actress Carroll Baker and director Jack Garfein. She attended Wellesley College from 1974 until 1976.-Career:...
) 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
Dreadlocks
Dreadlocks, also called locks, a ras, dreads, "rasta" or Jata , are matted coils of hair. Dreadlocks are usually intentionally formed; because of the variety of different hair textures, various methods are used to encourage the formation of locks such as backcombing...
, 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 alienates 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 loses 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
Julia Campbell
Julia Campbell , is an American actress, who is best known for her role as the "mean girl," Christie Masters-Christianson in the feature film Romy and Michele's High School Reunion.-Career:...
). Dexter also betrays his best friend Baker Moon (Nathaniel 'Afrika' Hall
Afrika Baby Bam
Nathaniel Hall better known by his stage name Afrika Baby Bam, is an American hip hop artist, born in Brooklyn, New York, and was part of the hip-hop group the Jungle Brothers. He was named in honor of Afrika Bambaataa. Afrika Baby Bam is known to constantly reinvent himself as an artist both...
) by revealing a local criminal's plan to commit grand theft auto
Motor vehicle theft
Motor vehicle theft is the criminal act of stealing or attempting to steal a motor vehicle...
. Baker winds up in the hospital.
After longtime anchor Clifford Worthy (Bernie McInerney
Bernie McInerney
-Biography:He grew up in Delaware where his father was an auditor with the DuPont Company. McInerney came to acting at a young age, announcing the World Series defeat of the 1946 Boston Red Sox from his bicycle seat as he rode through his neighborhood...
) 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.
Cast
- Terrence "T.C." Carson - Dexter Jackson
- Lisa Arrindell Anderson - Toynelle Davis
- Blanche BakerBlanche Baker-Personal life:Born Blanche Garfein in New York City, she is the daughter of actress Carroll Baker and director Jack Garfein. She attended Wellesley College from 1974 until 1976.-Career:...
- Kate Penndragin - Nathaniel HallAfrika Baby BamNathaniel Hall better known by his stage name Afrika Baby Bam, is an American hip hop artist, born in Brooklyn, New York, and was part of the hip-hop group the Jungle Brothers. He was named in honor of Afrika Bambaataa. Afrika Baby Bam is known to constantly reinvent himself as an artist both...
- Baker Moon - Julia CampbellJulia CampbellJulia Campbell , is an American actress, who is best known for her role as the "mean girl," Christie Masters-Christianson in the feature film Romy and Michele's High School Reunion.-Career:...
- Missy Carnes - Bernie McInerney - Clifford Worthy
- Loretta DevineLoretta DevineLoretta Devine is an American stage, film and television actress known for her roles on Boston Public, Grey's Anatomy, and Eli Stone. She also provided her voice for the stop motion animated television series The PJs. Devine is a NAACP Image Award and Emmy award winning actress.-Early life:Devine...
- Nadine Biggs