Malcolm Adekanbi (Shameik Moore) is by no means a popular kid. He and his friends Diggy (Kierson Clemons) and Jib (Tony Revolori) are into things that others from their neighbourhood aren't, like old school hip-hop and trying to get into college. One day after school, Malcolm gets caught up in a discussion between local drug dealer Dom (A$ap Rocky) and his girlfriend Nakia (Zoë Kravitz) and inadvertently gets invited to Dom's birthday party. After a rival gang attacks the party, Malcolm discovers big packages of MDMA in his backpack. Unknown to him at the time, Malcolm meets the true owner of the drugs who tells him the best thing to do would be sell the drugs and pass the profits onto him.
This movie really highlights the lack of opportunity that black kids have growing up in poorer neighbourhoods. Even if they get good grades and work really hard to try and make something of themselves, there is still external pressure and questioning of why someone like Malcolm would want to do this because the expectation is that he would become a drug dealer. Each of the main characters have moments where they become something that is the complete opposite of who they are. Malcolm has a moment where he brandishes a gun at some gang members, normally super confident Jib has a breakdown when they find that they are in possession of the drugs and rich kid Jaleel tries to be a gangster, getting into a gunfight with some gang members.
This movie really highlights the lack of opportunity that black kids have growing up in poorer neighbourhoods. Even if they get good grades and work really hard to try and make something of themselves, there is still external pressure and questioning of why someone like Malcolm would want to do this because the expectation is that he would become a drug dealer. Each of the main characters have moments where they become something that is the complete opposite of who they are. Malcolm has a moment where he brandishes a gun at some gang members, normally super confident Jib has a breakdown when they find that they are in possession of the drugs and rich kid Jaleel tries to be a gangster, getting into a gunfight with some gang members.
Shameik Moore makes a huge splash with his first lead role in a movie. Malcolm is an extremely likeable character and that's because Moore's performance gives the character so much depth. Tony Revolori is once again a joy to watch, as is Kiersey Clemons. Both A$ap Rocky and Tyga give great performances which is something that I was surprised at and Blake Anderson plays his stereotypical stoner with much joy again.
One thing that this movie really has going for it is it's amazing soundtrack. Filled with songs by the likes of Public Enemy, Nas and Naughty By Nature, all artists Malcolm considers to have been made in the golden age of hip hop. It also features some great songs from the band that Malcolm and his friends are in, written by Pharrell.
An amazing and truly insightful film that is enjoyable on the surface level, but once you look at the message that it's trying to tell you, it becomes even better.
No comments:
Post a Comment