Be Kind Rewind
Be Kind Rewind is a 2008 American buddy comedy film written and directed by Michel Gondry.[1] It stars Jack Black as Jerry and Yasiin Bey (as Mos Def) as Mike, two employees at a failing VHS rental store in Passaic, New Jersey, who accidentally erase all the store's tapes and subsequently remake popular movies using low-budget, homemade versions called "sweded" films to keep the business afloat.[1] The film also features supporting performances by Danny Glover as the store owner Mr. Fletcher, Mia Farrow as an eccentric librarian, and Melonie Diaz as an aspiring filmmaker.[1] Produced by New Line Cinema and Partizan Films with a budget of $20 million, the movie was released in theaters on February 22, 2008, and grossed $11.2 million in the United States and Canada and $30.5 million worldwide.[1] Gondry's screenplay draws inspiration from the nostalgic era of video rentals, emphasizing themes of creativity, community, and DIY filmmaking, with the "sweding" concept highlighting amateur recreations of classics like Ghostbusters, Rush Hour 2, and Driving Miss Daisy.[2] Critically, Be Kind Rewind received mixed reviews, earning a 64% approval rating on the Tomatometer from 125 critics on Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus noted it as "slighter and less disciplined than Gondry's previous mind-benders" but praised its inventive humor and heartfelt charm.[2] On IMDb, it holds a 6.4 out of 10 rating from nearly 96,000 user votes, with audiences appreciating the energetic performances of Black and Mos Def alongside the film's celebration of analog media.[1] The movie's runtime is 102 minutes.[1]Synopsis
Plot
The film is set in Passaic, New Jersey, at the Be Kind Rewind video rental store, a VHS-only establishment owned by the elderly Elroy "Mr. Fletcher" Fletcher, whose building faces imminent demolition due to urban redevelopment plans.[3] The store's primary employee, Mike, is left in charge when Mr. Fletcher departs for a trip to investigate modern DVD rental chains and commemorate the jazz musician Fats Waller, whom he claims was born in the building.[4] Mike's close friend Jerry, an aspiring inventor and conspiracy theorist living in a nearby trailer, harbors suspicions about a local power plant and attempts to sabotage it by breaking in, resulting in him becoming accidentally magnetized.[5] Upon visiting the store, Jerry's magnetic condition inadvertently erases all the VHS tapes, creating a crisis as customers arrive expecting rentals.[5] To conceal the disaster, Mike and Jerry, joined by Mike's co-worker Alma, begin secretly remaking popular films in low-budget, homemade versions they term "sweded" productions—claiming the originals are Swedish imports too delicate for shipping.[5] Their first effort recreates Ghostbusters in about 20 minutes using improvised costumes, sets, and effects filmed on a handheld camcorder, which unexpectedly delights a customer.[4] Word spreads through the neighborhood, leading to demand for more sweded titles such as Rush Hour 2, Driving Miss Daisy, RoboCop, 2001: A Space Odyssey, King Kong, When We Were Kings, and The Lion King, with local residents like the elderly customer Miss Falewicz participating as actors and crew, fostering a sense of communal creativity.[3] As the sweded films gain popularity and temporarily sustain the store, Mr. Fletcher returns dismayed by the outdated inventory and redevelopment threat, prompting the group to escalate their efforts.[4] They fabricate an elaborate documentary titled Fats Waller: Rest in Peace, purporting to reveal newly discovered footage of the musician's life and tying it to the store's location to rally community support and convince authorities to preserve the building.[3] Production involves the entire neighborhood in scripting, filming, and acting, but complications arise when a studio lawyer confronts them over potential copyright infringement from the sweded remakes.[3] Ultimately, the Fats Waller project unites the community in a screening that demonstrates the store's cultural value, thwarting the demolition and affirming the power of collective imagination.[5]Cast
The film stars Yasiin Bey, credited as Mos Def, as Mike, a loyal and passionate video store employee with a deep appreciation for film history.[5][6] Jack Black portrays Jerry, Mike's eccentric and inventive friend who often causes trouble with his wild ideas and conspiracy theories.[5][6] In supporting roles, Danny Glover plays Elroy "Mr. Fletcher" Fletcher, the aging owner of the Be Kind Rewind video store, who maintains a personal connection to jazz legend Fats Waller through family history.[5][6] Mia Farrow appears as Ms. Falewicz, a dedicated library worker and regular customer who becomes involved in the store's community efforts.[5][7] Melonie Diaz stars as Alma, Mike's reliable co-worker and emerging romantic interest at the store.[5][6] Notable guest appearances include Sigourney Weaver as Ms. Lawson, a stern studio executive focused on protecting copyrights.[6][8] The film also features local community members in various roles, such as Matt Walsh as Officer Julian, a neighborhood policeman.[6][9] The full credited cast, organized by prominence, is as follows:| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Yasiin Bey (as Mos Def) | Mike |
| Jack Black | Jerry |
| Danny Glover | Mr. Fletcher |
| Mia Farrow | Ms. Falewicz |
| Melonie Diaz | Alma |
| Sigourney Weaver | Ms. Lawson |
| Irv Gooch | Wilson |
| Chandler Parker | Craig |
| Arjay Smith | Manny |
| Paul Dinello | Mr. Rooney |
| Matt Walsh | Officer Julian |
| P.J. Byrne | Mr. Baker |
| Gio Perez | Randy |
| Frank Heins | Patrick |
| Karolina Wydra | Gabrielle Bochenski |
| Kid Creole | West Coast Video Employee |
| Marcus Carl Franklin | Kid #1 |
| Blake Hightower | Kid #2 |
| Amir Ali Said | Kid #3 |