The Dave Chappelle we see in "Dave Chappelle's Block Party" is a relaxed man in a state of hilarious playfulness. And why not? The film was shot in September 2004, when he'd just signed a $50 million deal for two more seasons of his comedy series "Chappelle's Show," which was reaping record-breaking DVD sales.

Watching him on screen, there's not even a hint of the events that would unfold the following spring: Chappelle bolted from the TV show's production, jetting to Africa and sparking wild speculation about his mental state, drugs and behind-the-scenes power struggles at Comedy Central.

Instead, we get a home-movieish documentary that follows Chappelle from his rural retreat in Yellow Springs, Ohio, to a free concert for more than 5,000 he hosts in Brooklyn. And unlike his show sketches -- which feel tightly rehearsed, featuring Chappelle in roles from crack head to stuffy "white" newscaster -- "Block Party" shows him as an easygoing man comfortable with his widespread popularity. The jagged Chappelle wit is never far away, however, as he hands out "golden passes" (for bus and lodging) to white and black fans in Ohio and New York, inviting them to the nine-hour concert.

There is a clear festive buzz, as attendees laugh, bob and listen to Chappelle's impish, inventive comedy, and some of the best music hip-hop has to offer from Kanye West, a reunited Fugees, Mos Def, Jill Scott and several others, all performing gratis.

Filmmaker Michel Gondry (see In Focus on Page 31) hasn't done more than trail his subject from Yellow Springs to Brooklyn. There are no penetrating interviews with Chappelle; no scenes or moments to savor for their documentary impact. Here, the name of the game is following along. There's an innocent joy and a genial detachment, as if Chappelle's playing host to his own celebrity. He's Johnny Carson-ing his fame, as it were. But there's something deeper at work, too. Even with his cutting racial satire -- and, yes, some of the profanity-laced comedy you see on his Comedy Central show -- he seems uniquely positioned to appeal to white and black Americans.

-- Desson Thomson

Contains profanity and discussion of drug use.