Right off the bat, Number One on the Call Sheet is impressive because of the sheer number of stars it has onscreen. Eddie Murphy, Whoopi Goldberg, Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Viola Davis, and so much more sit down for a candid interview about who their idols were, what their journeys were like as Black artists, and what they think of the future generation of actors (here represented by the likes of Daniel Kaluuya, Tessa Thompson, and Jurnee Smollett). It’s a joyful celebration of success as well as a sobering reminder of a painful, racist past. Ocassionally, director Reginald Hudlin spends too long on the careers of certain actors and loses sight of the documentary’s purpose—is this a tribute to Black actors or a tabloid celebrity biography? But, ultimately, it gets back on its feet and leaves you with a stirring and hopeful message about the impact and potential of Black Hollywood.
"The best state of the industry keynotes recognize achievements accomplished, sure, but also show how a foundation can be created so that they may happen again. “Number One on the Call Sheet” achieves that."
— Christian Blauvelt
Some of Hollywood's biggest stars reveal their journeys to game-changing leading roles. In candid interviews, they shine a light on the highs and lows of their craft, breakthrough moments, blueprints for success, and the next generation's huge potential.
Black artists discuss the importance of breaking through in Hollywood and the responsibility of influencing the next generation.
The present artists are all important in their own right to be sure, but it feels odd to tiptoe around someone like Samuel L. Jackson, one of the biggest leading men regardless of race. Weirdly enough, Quentin Tarantino has more screen time than Jackson.
It’s a standard-issue docuseries, but it’s uplifting, joyful, and inspiring, nonetheless.
