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Bounce: Behind The Velvet Rope

2001, Movie, NR, 77 mins

Bounce: Behind The Velvet Rope: Review

BOUNCE: BEHIND THE VELVET ROPE
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From the department of prejudices confirmed: Steve Cantor's documentary, which debuted on cable, demonstrates that bouncers are indeed beefy bullies who get their kicks roughing up people in the guise of providing "security" at night spots. Sure, Cantor rustles up exceptions: Homer "Omar" Cook, make-up artist by day, bouncer by night, says he's been in exactly five fights since 1988. Terence "Prince" Buckley is a gentle giant who lives with his mom and dreams of moving up from a skanky Queens strip joint to a chic Manhattan nightclub; his story gives the film its dramatic direction. Sleekly dressed Eric Mojica, an articulate one-time bouncer who now heads up Untouchable Security, which supplies door staff to many Manhattan clubs, claims almost persuasively that his guys are there to prevent trouble, not make it. And anyone who believes that will be able to keep a straight face when muscle-bound Mike DeMaio, who often works with his twin, Frank, says in all apparent seriousness, "You have to be people-oriented — people are always going to ask you questions like, 'Where's the bathroom?'" At least Jordan Maldonado, a knucklehead with a severe case of testosterone poisoning, admits he's in it for the opportunity to crack heads. The breakout star is retired English bouncer Lenny McLean, 49, who memorably declares, "I f***ing hate violence." McLean, who published a best-selling memoir of his exploits and nabbed a featured part in LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS before succumbing to brain cancer in 1998, is a genuine character. He's witty, coarsely eloquent and charming, even if he looks like he'd drive a ballpoint pen into your kneecap if you glanced at him sideways. Next to him, the others are just anonymous mooks. Caton offers a whirlwind tour of nightlife from the perspective of guys whose job it is to keep you on the outside looking in, padded with way too many shots of black-clad gorillas tossing rowdies out on their kiesters. Philosophies of bouncing. Battle scars. The bouncers' handshake. Who gets in: models, actors, celebrities, pretty girls, "fabulous" people and guys accompanied by one or more pretty girls — surprise, surprise. "So," asks Cantor, "two guys together don't have much of a chance?" "There's a chance they might be gay," Mojica replies without missing a beat. But you already knew that, too. leave a comment --Maitland McDonagh
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