OutKast's "Idlewild" was filmed two years ago, and there's a reason why it took so long to find a distributor, in this case Universal, which will release the film in theaters nationwide Aug. 25.

"Idlewild" might be undefinable.

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The film is so many things: a musical/drama/romantic tale set in Georgia, involving gangsters and guns, and wrapped in an enigmatic convergence of styles — a '30s nightclub where dancers bop in '50s swing as Big Boi, playing a nightclub performer, belts out syncopated rap.

OutKast's other half — André Benjamin — plays piano, but he sings, too. By film's end, he's crooning and tap-dancing like an updated Fred Astaire, tossing around playful lyrics that involve lovingly rubbing someone's feet that stink.

After much prodding, Universal last week screened "Idlewild" for a few Atlanta critics. The film, big on period sets and bigger on elaborate period costumes, runs one minute over 2 hours. It's a blitz of bullets, song-and-dance, corpses, brass horns, nudity, sex and a literal wink or two from André at audiences out there in the dark.

Here's some of what OutKast fans might be talking about after "Idlewild" debuts:

The magic: Like in "Willy Wonka," "Idlewild" is a creative place. For starters, a rooster engraved on Big Boi's flask talks to him. Over André's bed is a collection of cuckoo clocks. The clocks' birds — and even figurines of a Swiss couple — often sing along with him.

The songs: Unfortunately, they're mostly from the 2003 album "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below" and, apparently, include little from the upcoming and long-awaited "Idlewild" CD.

The familiar faces: As the film's ultimate bad guy, Terrence Howard is an expected scene-stealer. Others who show up include Macy Gray, Cicely Tyson, Patti LaBelle and Ben Vereen. Atlanta actors Bill Nunn and Carol Mitchell-Leon also appear.

The sex scenes: Big Boi gets busy with Paula Jai Parker in a raunchy moment in the back seat of a car. André has passionate moments with co-star Paula Patton, and they romantically hang out in the rain just like in one of the real-life star's favorite cinematic love stories, "The Notebook."

COMING THIS WEEK: Reviews of the "Idlewild" CD Aug. 22 in Living and "Idlewild" the film Aug. 25 in Movies & More.