Sorry To Bother You

by Boots Riley

A screenplay for an independent film written by and starring The Coup’s Boots Riley. A magical realism story inspired by Riley's time spent working as a telemarketer.

Genres: Fiction, Film, Science Fiction, Satire, Politics, Dystopia

117 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2014

Reviews

[Rion Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This screenplay is pretty much incredible. At times it reads like a radical, comic Invisible Man on acid. It's nearly perfect until the third act where the demands of plot get too heavy for the work to bear and it ends with lines so heavy-handed Schoolhouse Rock would blush. Throughout, the class struggle themes are overbearng at times. You can expect that when dealing with an artist like Boots Riley. As a rapper he's always worn his affinity for Communism like a star-shaped badge. The final moments, though are too shocking for words. Loved it. I hope it actually gets made into a movie, but if it doesn't I'll just read this again and listen to the soundtrack, which is now even more incredible.

[Emma Covino · Rating 5 out of 5]

literally brilliant.

(i promise i actually read the screenplay instead of just watching the movie this counts!!!)

[Maarten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weird. Good.

[judy-b. judy-b. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great script, but see the film first. There is so much crazy imagery, it's better to see Boots Riley's actual vision than to imagine your own. This movie should have received honors for best everything, but it's so good at skewering the establishment that of course the establishment snubbed it for awards. McSweeney's published the script in 2014, which helped Boots Riley gain attention to find backers who helped him produce it in 2018.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bizarre, creative, and a lot of fun, and the companion soundtrack is awesome.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpectedly weird and fun. Had no idea what it would be about, and probably most enjoyable when approached in that fashion. Nice little extra with the Quarterly.

[Melissa Reddish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and clever and entertaining-- a bombastic satire about American consumerism and class struggle.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the strangest thing I've ever read. But it has a deeper message that more or less fits the agenda of the left wingers.

[Ostap Bender · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was packed in with McSweeney's #48, but I'm reviewing it separately. I have to say, it's the star of the show. Written by Boots Riley, the lead vocalist for the 'political hip-hop' group The Coup, it's a screenplay about an African-American man named Cassius Green who gets a job as a telemarketer for the "WorryFree" corporation, which offers lifetime employment and security to the masses, but with hidden downsides. Cassius gets really good at his job after taking a tip to use his 'white voice', and soon finds himself torn between his friends and ascending in what is almost exclusively a white man's world.

I loved this book. The points Riley makes while satirizing capitalism and race relations are heavy, but he doesn't do it in a heavy-handed way. It's light, smart, and funny. I loved the dialogue. There is an interesting science-fiction/futuristic/absurd bent to it which reminded me in tone of Soviet writers Arkady and Boris Strugatsky (in a good way, if you're not familiar with them). It had great pace and editing - to the point, and without a bit of unnecessary action. Definitely worth buying #48 specially for, and I only wish I knew a Hollywood producer who I could foist this upon, after first slapping the banana daiquiri out of his hands.

[Donald · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up because I really liked the movie and wanted to know more. Unfortunately, there wasn't more to learn. The movie followed this screenplay pretty much dead on. It still was fun to read, as the writing is pretty dang witty! I also liked Riley's letter at the beginning and his thank you page and bio brief. Also pretty dang witty!

[iscalynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

demented… genius…

and as is often the case, sadly becoming all too prescient (doing more for seizing the means of telemarketing than karl marx)

this is that “accidentally became important at work and it’s ruining my life” meme made manifest… but with horse-people and systemic racism

[Lillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed reviews. I had alot of fun reading this and seeing the political message. I don’t rlly like the end that much. This book is actual crazy insane and I was constantly writing “ what???” every page

[Stephen Theaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking forward to the film.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

What?

[glasscreature · Rating 4 out of 5]

boots riley really knew what the fuck was up!

[Julia W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly one of the most interesting case studies of adapted films. "Sorry to Bother You" has been a screenplay, an album, and a film and in each rendition, the story still holds up.

[NASH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goddamn Boots

[Jim Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Boots Riley's music and lyrics for years, and was excited to get into this screenplay. Cassius Green is broke until he starts working for a telemarketing firm and, perfecting his 'white voice', climbs to the level of Power Caller. That means that he gets to sell weapons to foreign dictators, or slave labor, through his company's partnership with WorryFree, a company that provides workers with basic housing and food in return for lifetime service. Cassius's friends are working to unionize the telemarketing industry, and his girlfriend Detroit is an artist and guerrilla activist who is fighting against the system that Cassius's work is supporting. Things get a little weird when the equisapiens - genetically altered hybrid horse-men - enter the mix, but this screenplay is funny and effective at getting its message across.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this gem in the mail with my McSweeney's subscription and immediately opened it up, downloaded the companion soundtrack, and started jamming. I've never read a modern screenplay but this thing blew me away. So real, so creative, and so fun to read. Good luck to Boots in getting it produced into a movie!

[Brandon Daviet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very urban tale of presuming the American in a style the evoke "Fear in loathing in Las Vegas" Only existing as a screen-play written by the leader of hip-hop group The Coup, Boots Riley. The tale need to be read to be belived. Something that should grow from it's current form into a play or a movie. Track this down if ya can.

[Rad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike any other book I've read. Got it as a present from a dear friend based in the US. Very engaging read, a bit strange and surreal at places and very thought provoking too...it somehow reminded me of Ibsen's An Enemy of The People although can't really draw parallels between the stories.

[Ashley F. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super interesting story and characters. Really enjoyed it, but I was slightly disappointed by the ending. Seemed a bit rushed and anti-climactic.

[Phil Overeem · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Boots but, aside for occasional flashes of humor and good intentions, this isn't very well-written.

[Eddie Zelenak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good, not great. A funny satire on telemarketing and large monopolies in general. A short read good for a quick laugh.