Will Smith has revealed what Rihanna thinks of his new movie Emancipation – his first film since beating Chris Rock at the Oscars.
The 54-year-old Oscar winner shared the 34-year-old mogul’s private reaction earlier this week as he walked the red carpet for the premiere of his graphic slave drama.
Smith tries to overcome the lingering scandal of his televised assault, but mediocre reviews for Emancipation don’t help his efforts.
Praying for a comeback: Will Smith, 54, has revealed what Rihanna thinks of his new movie Emancipation – his first film since beating Chris Rock at the Oscars
“Rihanna loved the cinematography,” Smith claimed to E! News. “She couldn’t get over the look of the film and how it felt.”
The multi-platinum hitmaker attended a star-studded screening of Emancipation in October and rallied around the embattled King Richard star at his private cinema.
Rihanna’s boyfriend A$AP Rocky was also in attendance, along with Dave Chappelle, Tyler Perry and Kenya Barris.
“The thing that’s great about black people,” Smith joked to E! News, “talk to the screen all the time so you don’t have to ask people’s opinions. So I didn’t have to ask anyone in the room for their opinion.’
At least Riri likes it: the Oscar-winner shared the 34-year-old mogul’s private reaction earlier this week as he walked the red carpet for the premiere of his graphic slave drama. “Rihanna loved the cinematography,” Smith claimed to E! News. “She couldn’t get over the look of the film and how it felt”
King Richard’s Court: Rihanna attended a star-studded screening of Emancipation in October and rallied around the embattled King Richard star at his private cinema
Star-studded support system: Rihanna’s friend A$AP Rocky (far left) was also in attendance, along with Dave Chappelle (center, brown shirt), Tyler Perry (back center, blue flannel) and Kenya Barris (far right, green jacket)
In late October, Smith posted pictures from his intimate A-list screening to Instagram.
‘Epic Night!!’ He captioned the two photos. “Thank you for coming to see #Emancipation. I hope you liked it!’
Critics seem to be split down the middle when it comes to enjoying emancipation.
The film currently has a lackluster 50 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, with various reviews calling it “flat” and nothing more than a “B-movie.”
“As shallow as a Louisiana Bayou,” condemns The AV Club.
“B-movie megalomaniacal,” laments IndieWire.
B-Movie: Emancipation tells the story of a slave named Peter who escapes from a brutal Louisiana plantation and embarks on a hellish quest for freedom. The graphic historical drama currently holds a lackluster 50 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics calling it “flat” and nothing more than a “B-movie.”
Directed by Antoine Fuqua – the director of Training Day and Olympus Has Fallen – Emancipation tells the story of a slave named Peter who escapes from a brutal Louisiana plantation and embarks on a hellish quest for freedom.
Based on a true story, the historical epic stars Smith as Peter, who will eventually help prove the cruelty of American slavery by providing chilling images of his torn back to the abolitionist movement.
One famous face who certainly didn’t make it to Smith’s Emancipation screening in October was Chris Rock.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star has seen his storied career and flawless public image collapse since he stormed the Oscars stage in March and attacked the comedian for making a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith .
The shocking incident led to Smith’s resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and a ban from attending its ceremonies for the next 10 years.
KO’d his career? The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star has seen his storied career and flawless public image collapse since he stormed the Oscars stage in March and attacked the comedian for making a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith