In the vast landscape of film and entertainment, certain movies often fly under the radar, overshadowed by mainstream narratives. One such film is the documentary Am I Racist?, which has garnered a surprising amount of attention despite being largely overlooked by liberal media outlets. Released by Ben Shapiro's conservative media company, The Daily Wire, this documentary has surprisingly made its mark, ranking in the top 10 at the box office for two consecutive weeks. It's astonishing that not a single major media company took the time to review it, but that only adds to its intrigue.
The Surprising Box Office Performance
What’s even more impressive is that Am I Racist? has grossed over $9 million, positioning it among the 40 highest-grossing documentaries of all time. Think about that for a moment! This is a film that has struck a chord with audiences, yet its reception remains shrouded in silence from mainstream critics. In an unexpected twist, the 14th highest-grossing theater for this documentary was the AMC 16 in Burbank, California—a place where approximately 70% of voters leaned toward Joe Biden in the 2020 elections. Intrigued by this phenomenon, I decided to venture into the theater to see who was attending this provocative film.
With the 2:20 p.m. showing in mind, I prepared myself for the experience. Walking into the theater, I couldn’t help but feel a little nervous as I approached the Latinx ticket seller. “Just one ticket for Am I Racist?,” I said, flashing what I hoped was a friendly smile. To my relief, he seemed unfazed, which made the situation a little less daunting. I handed my ticket to an Asian woman who directed me to theater six, which was surprisingly empty save for a lone can of beer left behind by a previous audience member.
A Diverse Audience
As the film began, I noticed that there were only five other people scattered throughout the theater: an elderly white man, a younger white woman, and a multi-generational Latinx family. It was interesting to see such a diverse audience, especially given the political leanings of the local demographic. Yet, I couldn't help but wonder how many of them would truly embrace the film's content, considering its controversial subject matter.
Am I Racist? is structured as a comedic documentary, somewhat in the vein of Borat. The film's host, podcaster Matt Walsh, dons a disguise that includes a man-bun wig and skinny jeans, presenting himself as someone on a journey to explore his own racism. It’s fascinating to see how Walsh portrays what he believes a liberal looks like in 2024—though I couldn’t help but think he could have stepped it up with a latte in hand and a sushi plate for good measure.
Mixed Reactions
Despite his good intentions, Walsh's comedic timing seems a bit off. While he does manage to get a few chuckles from the sparse audience, his humor lacks the punch that one might expect from a seasoned comedian. There's a mellow, confident presence about him that keeps the mood steady, but it often misses the mark. However, he does manage to land some solid jokes, like when he quips about being complimented for having 17 Black friends during an anti-racist seminar. That moment got a genuine laugh, but it feels like it’s buried beneath a sea of unoriginality.
There’s a certain irony in how Walsh's attempts at humor often mimic clichés rather than offering fresh insights. For instance, the film is riddled with tired comedic tropes like slow claps and exaggerated reactions that feel more like a parody than genuine satire. The reality is that creating comedy—especially of this kind—is an uphill battle, as the great Sacha Baron Cohen has demonstrated time and again. His approach is difficult to replicate, and even he has faced failures in his films like Bruno and The Dictator. Walsh seems to play it a bit safe, lacking the cutting-edge flair that Cohen often delivers.
Encounters with DEI Experts
Nevertheless, Walsh finds success when he interviews prominent Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) experts, many of whom unwittingly expose themselves to ridicule. One standout moment features Robin DiAngelo, author of White Fragility, who humorously hands $30 to one of Walsh's Black cohorts as a form of reparations. This comedic exchange was part of a larger event called Race2Dinner, where white women pay to confront their racial biases. It’s a bizarre concept, but the participants certainly get their money's worth of awkwardness.
When Walsh gets out of the way and lets his subjects speak for themselves, the results can be both revealing and uncomfortable. He often manages to present DEI instructors in a light that suggests they’re more interested in profit than genuine social progress. DiAngelo, for instance, reportedly received a whopping $15,000 for her appearance in the film, while a mother who sued Sesame Place for racial discrimination took home $50,000. The spectacle reaches its peak when Walsh organizes his own DEI seminar, humorously titled “Do The Work! Workshop,” which culminates in him distributing whips for self-flagellation.
Audience Reactions
After the screening, I had the chance to speak with Lacretia Lyon, a stand-up comic and podcaster who had attended the film after hearing about it from Adam Carolla's podcast. She was intrigued by the film's premise and appreciated the fact that as an AMC Stubs A-List member, she could see three movies a week without a hefty ticket price. “I was surprised by how funny it was,” she exclaimed, a Borat fan at heart who felt Walsh nailed the undercover segments. She pointed out the fascinating narcissism displayed by many DEI instructors throughout the film, all of whom happened to be women. This, in turn, led her to not invite any of her friends—“A lot of girls aren’t going to be interested in this,” she said candidly.
Interestingly, the Latinx family who attended preferred to remain anonymous. They expressed concern about being recorded, which added an air of caution to the atmosphere. As they exited, the youngest member—sporting sunglasses, long hair, and a beaded necklace—leaned in and whispered, “Vote red.” This comment hung in the air as I left the theater, highlighting the complex dynamics at play in a community where political identities are often tightly woven into personal narratives.
Conclusion: A Film Worth Discussing
As the credits rolled on Am I Racist?, it was clear that this film challenges viewers to confront their beliefs about race, identity, and the narratives we often accept without question. The controversy surrounding its release speaks volumes about the current state of discourse in America. Even in a politically charged environment, there’s a hunger for honest dialogue—a sentiment that Walsh's film taps into, for better or worse.
In the end, Am I Racist? serves as a mirror reflecting the complexities of modern racial discussions, pushing audiences to engage with uncomfortable truths. It’s not just a comedy; it’s a call to reflect on our biases and the systems we navigate every day. So, whether you’re a staunch liberal or a conservative, this film is worth a watch. It may just spark a conversation that many have been too afraid to have.
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