Roll Bounce is a 2005 musical-romantic dramedy film starring rapper Bow Wow, Chi McBride, Kellita Smith and Jurnee Smollett. It is directed by Malcolm D. Lee. The film was shot at the Lynwood Roller Rink in Lynwood, IL, as well as Fleetwood Roller Rink in Summit, IL.

Plot

Set in 1978 Chicago, Roll Bounce tells the story of a boy named Xavier (Bow Wow) (nicknamed "X") whose mother has died, leaving him with his father, Curtis (Chi McBride) and his sister, Sonya. After the local roller rink closes down, X and his friends are forced to skate in the ritzy uptown rink "Sweetwater". Tired of being disrespected by the skaters at Sweetwater, the group enters a roller disco contest. Their biggest rivals are the 5-year champion, Sweetness (Wesley Jonathan) and his crew, the Sweetwater Rollers. The film centers on X training for the competition while trying to work through problems with his father and his love interest, Naomi (Meagan Good).

Supporting actors include Marcus T. Paulk, Khleo Thomas, Nick Cannon, Rick Gonzalez, Charlie Murphy, Mike Epps, Brandon T. Jackson, and Wayne Brady. The soundtrack features Ray J, R. Kelly, Beyonce Knowles, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Brooke Valentine, Michelle Williams and Shorty Mack.

Cast

• Bow Wow- Xavier 'X' Smith
• Brandon T. Jackson- Junior
• Marcus T. Paulk- Boo
• Rick Gonzalez- Naps
• Khleo Thomas- Mixed Mike
• Chi McBride- Curtis Smith
• Jurnee Smollett- Tori
• Wesley Jonathan- Sweetness
• Kellita Smith- Vivian
• Meagan Good- Naomi Phillips
• Paul Wesley- Troy

Cameo Appearances

• Nick Cannon- Bernard
• Wayne Brady- DJ Johnny
• Mike Epps- Byron
• Charlie Murphy- Victor

Awards/nominations

Year	Show	Category	Recipient	Result
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	N/A	Nominated
		Best Director	Malcolm D. Lee
		Best Original Soundtrack	N/A

Trivia

• The title of the movie Roll Bounce was derived from the 1979 roller-skate themed song Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll by Vaughan Mason and Crew.
• Meagan Good and Jurnee Smollett starred together in the movie Eve's Bayou.
• The roller rink wasn't called "Sweetwater." However, the flashing word "Sweetwater" is still there.

External links