Who's the Man?

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Who's the Man? is a 1993 thriller comedy film, directed by Ted Demme, in his feature film directing debut. The film stars Yo! MTV Raps hosts Doctor Dré and Ed Lover as its two main protagonists., it features dozens of cameo appearances from some of the top rap/hip-hop acts of the time, including (though not limited to) Busta Rhymes, Bushwick Bill, Guru, Eric B., House of Pain, Ice-T, Kris Kross, Queen Latifah, KRS-One and Run-D.M.C.. This film is also the feature film debut of Terrence Howard.

Video Who's the Man?

Plot

Doctor Dré and Ed Lover are two bumbling barbers at a Harlem barbershop. Knowing full well that cutting hair is not their calling, their boss, friend, and mentor Nick (Jim Moody) tells the two maybe they should try out for the police academy. They refuse at first ,but Nick threatens them with unemployment. Crazily enough, it works out for the two, and they are accepted on the New York City police force. Things seem to be going well for them, when tragedy suddenly strikes, and they lose Nick. Now enforcers of the law, the tag team decides to investigate the incident, which they believe to be a murder.

Ed and Dre find out through the streets that a crooked land developer named Demetrius (Richard Bright) might have had something to do with their friend's death, and proceed to attempt to dig up as much dirt on him as possible. This proves to be difficult, however, when they've got a nutty Sergeant (Denis Leary), a moody detective (Rozwill Young), and a bunch of unwilling street hoods (Guru, Ice-T) to go through to get the information they need. Though there aren't any certain clues to be found, strange happenings are certainly going on, as the cops found out that Demetrius' company seems to be looking for oil rather than looking for property.

With their superiors not believing Ed And Dre's story and getting themselves in trouble,they end up being suspended. However, they get a lead to a warehouse where they find a lot of guns. They have enough evidence to arrest Demetrius at the fashion show, but Demetrius didn't kill Nick. It was revealed that Nick's friend, Lionel, was working for Demetrius and murdered him.

Ed and Dre are offered their jobs back, but decided to quit stating it's too violent for them. When they return to their old barbershop they discovered oil coming from the floor. Soon after, they're back in business re-opening the place giving customers bad haircuts.

Maps Who's the Man?

Cast

Doctor Dré as Himself
Ed Lover as Himself
Badja Djola as Lionel Douglas
Cheryl "Salt" James as Teesha Braxton
Colin Quinn as Frankie Flynn
Denis Leary as Sergeant Cooper
Bernie Mac as G-George
Richard Gant as Albert
Guru as Martin Lorenzo
Ice-T as Chauncey "Nighttrain" Jackson
Larry Cedar as Officer Barnes
Jim Moody as Nick Crawford
Joe Lisi as Captain Reilly
Karen Duffy as Officer Day
House of Pain as Bad Guys
Roger Robinson as Charlie
Richard Bright as Demetrius
Rozwill Young as Bo Griles
Vinny Pastore as Tony "Clams" Como
Caron Bernstein as Kelly
Angelo Montagnese as Not The Manno
Michael Giordano as The Manno
Kim Chan as Fuji

Cameo appearances:

B-Real as Jose/Test Taker #3
Andre B. Blake as Lamar
Apache as Bubba Worker #1
Bill Bellamy as K.K.
Bow-Legged Lou as Forty
Bushwick Bill as Bar Vagrant
Busta Rhymes as Jawaan
CL Smooth as Robber #2
Del the Funkee Homosapien as Kid #1
D-Nice as Male Nurse
Eric B. as Robber #5
Fab 5 Freddy as Himself
Flavor Flav as Himself
Freddie Foxxx as Bartender
Garfield as Customer in Chair
Heavy D as Himself
House of Pain - Card players
Humpty Hump as Club Doorman
Kid Capri as Himself
Kris Kross as Karim/Micah
KRS-One as Rashid
Leaders of the New School as Passengers in Jeep
Leslie Segar as Sheneequa
Little Daddy Shane as Homeboy
Melle Mel as Delroy
Monie Love as Vanessa
Naughty By Nature as Themselves
Pete Rock as Robber #1
Phife Dawg as Gerald
Queen Latifah as Herself
Qu'ran Goodman as Kid #3
Run-D.M.C. as Detectives
Sandra "Pepa" Denton as Sherise
Smooth B as Bubba Worker #2
Stretch as Benny
Taji Goodman as Kid #2
T-Money as Bubba
Todd 1 as Shorty
Yo Yo as Woman

Who's the Woman, Who's the Man (1996) - MUBI

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Reception

Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 43% based on reviews from 7 critics.

Roger Ebert gives a favorable review, with a score of 3 stars out of 4.

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Soundtrack

A soundtrack containing hip hop music was released on April 20, 1993 through MCA Records. It peaked at #32 on the Billboard 200 and #8 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.