Product Details

• Actors: Halle Berry, Natalie Desselle, Martin Landau, Ian Richardson, Troy Byer Bailey
• Directors: Robert Townsend
• Writers: Troy Byer Bailey
• Producers: Jay Stern, Loretha C. Jones, Mark Burg, Michael De Luca
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Language: English, Italian
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: New Line Home Video
• VHS Release Date: April 7, 1998
• Run Time: 91 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0780612981
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #148,127 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

What was director Robert Townsend thinking? His movies, such as The Five Heartbeats and The Hollywood Shuffle, are sweet, enjoyable little pictures. But this "comedy" about two flashy Georgia women hoping to find money and men in Los Angeles is stereotypical, unfunny, embarrassing, and boring. Halle Berry and newcomer Natalie Desselle are trapped in pitiful roles playing against the distinguished but miscast Martin Landau and a wasted Ian Richardson. B.A.P.S., by the way, stands for black American princesses. There are better urban comedies out there, the badly named Booty Call for one. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet, charming movie, September 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Baps [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I thought that Halle Berry and Natalie Desselle were delightfully funny in this film. 2 girls from Georgia go to California chasing a dream, get a little side-tracked, but achieve their dream anyway, meeting some wonderful people along the way. The characters played by Martin Landau and Ian Richardson were SOOO funny - especially when Mr. Manley goes to the record store, looking for "The RRRRRRRap section." I thought that the actors playing the girls' boyfriends were good too - a little kooky, but genuinely good people. Nisi and Micky may appear to be gold diggers, but it turns out they have hearts of gold, and for this, they are rewarded. Who says good girls finish last?

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars About time a campy BLACK comedy came along!, May 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Baps [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I for one am sick of reviewers like Mr. Maltin automatically panning everything that isn't of the same level as say "The English Patient" or "Casablanca". Some movies are just straight up comedy, aiight already?! While this movie does portray stereotypes such as the trashy ghetto fabulous urban black wannabe diva and the ultra snobby and stuffy white Beverly Hills millionaire, these stereotypes are (it seems to me) intentional and just add to the laughter! Yes, the plot is contrived, yes it probably couldn't happen in real life, but who gives a s@#$? It's funny as hell, filled with celebrity cameos, and let's face it - where else could one see Miss Halle Berry sporting gold teeth, finger waved platinum blond hair, and vinyl hot pants?! The hairstyles and clothes alone are enough to laugh oneself into intensive care! This movie is the type I have been waiting to see for quite awhile, a campy black comedy for the 90's!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Terribly funny and uplifting when you are down in the dumps., May 13, 1999

By 

Dorothye B. Knox (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Baps [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I liked this movie; it made me laugh at a time when I was down in the dumps. I know Ms. Berry and Mr. Landau have been in better movies; but this one showcases their ability to be funny. Besides, if you cannot have any fun now and then; why make movies in the first place. The plot is great because it shows just what can happen when two blacks girls follow their dreams. Even though it doesn't seem like it will work out for them in the end, it really does after all. Troy Beyer is the writer, Robert Townsend directed, black actors starred in it. Give this movie a break; it is a comedy; it is not supposed to be a drama like "Titanic". The scenes in the restaurant were funny and realistic; two black girls meeting celebrites they have only read about and heard about. If that is not funny I don't know what is. When will we (African-Americans) start giving each other credit for our accomplishments in the film industry??? It is high time we started recognizing each other's talent. When we do, others will recognize our talent as well.