Roll Bounce is a 2005 American comedy-drama film written by Norman Vance Jr. and directed by Malcolm D. Lee. The film stars hip hop artist Bow Wow as the leader of a roller skating crew in 1970s Chicago. The film also includes Nick Cannon, Meagan Good, Brandon T. Jackson, Wesley Jonathan, Chi McBride, Kellita Smith, Jurnee Smollett and Mike Epps. The name of the film is derived from the 1979 song "Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll" by Vaughan Mason & Crew.
Xavier's home life is strained after the death of his mother, leaving his father Curtis struggling to take care of Xavier and his sister Sonya while restoring his late wife's car. Curtis finds Xavier's skating a waste of time and prefers him to be at home taking care of chores. Unbeknownst to Xavier and Sonya, Curtis lost his job as an aerospace engineer and has had to take a job as a janitor. Curtis connects with Tori's mother Vivian, who was initially hostile for Curtis taking Tori to the roller rink with Xavier without Vivian's permission. In the city with his group, Xavier learns about his father's unemployment when he finds his car for sale, the car salesman tells him all. At Sweetwater, Xavier also wrongfully lashes out at Naomi.
Going home, Xavier confronts Curtis. The two argue. Xavier smashes the windows of his late mother's car in a rage, before both he and Curtis break down in tears. Following days of keeping distance, Xavier opens a package addressed to Curtis, which are a pair of new skates for Xavier. His current skates, a gift from his mother, have begun to break down. Curtis realizes he was hurting so much from his wife's death that he neglected Xavier and Sonya, and he promises to be a more attentive father. Xavier makes amends with Naomi as well.
At the skating competition, Xavier and his team "the Garden Boys" are ready to go. Alongside his family and Vivian in attendance, Tori, whom the guys had ridiculed for having braces before she had them removed, has a whole new makeover from her previous tomboy look. Many skaters compete, X's team are set to go last against the Sweetwater Rollers. The rivals steal their original song choice "Le Freak" but Naps manages to find the song "Hollywood Swinging" as a suitable replacement. X's team pulls it off, praised by the entire rink for their routine. For the first time in the history of the competition, the final two teams tie for first place; the Rollers & the Garden Boys. Unable to accept the decision, Sweetness challenges Xavier to a one-on-one skate-off with no falls.
Sweetness & Xavier battle to multiple songs to the roar of the crowd. On his last song "He's The Greatest Dancer", Xavier quietly dedicates the round to his mother. Xavier throws out every move he knows and is set to win when he attempts a triple Lutz jump, but falls and loses the competition. Helped up by his father, Xavier has earned the respect of Sweetness and the audience. Xavier and Naomi share a kiss, while Junior shares one with Tori. Some time later, everyone skates together at Sweetwater.
2006 | Black Movie Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Directing | Malcolm D. Lee | Nominated |
Outstanding Achievement in Screenwriting | Norman Vance, Jr. | Nominated | ||
Black Reel Awards | Best Breakthrough Performance | Brandon T. Jackson | Winner | |
Best Screenplay, Original or Adapted | Norman Vance, Jr. | |||
Best Ensemble Award | Jurnee Smollett | Nominated | ||
Best Director | Malcolm D. Lee | |||
Best Original Soundtrack | N/A |
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