“An
overwhelmingly comical, smart and inspiring coming-of-age/underdog film.”
Three high-school nerds turn into smart ass drug dealers in Dope, the fourth feature of
writer-director Rick Famuyiwa. With its wild energy and witty narrative, this coolly
entertaining and crowd-pleasing coming-of-age comedy pays tribute to ‘90s pop culture
while depicting opportunities and challenges besieging today’s adolescents.
Malcolm (Shameik Moore) is the typical poor black high-school senior living
in Inglewood, California. Abandoned by his father who went back to Africa, he
is supported by his single working mom, Lisa (Kimberly Elise). Malcolm is a
straight-A student and after performing impressively with his SAT tests, he is making
preparations for his application to Harvard. With his flat-top haircut, vintage
Air Jordans and fading high-top, Malcolm worships the ‘90s hip-hop culture. Like
him, his best buddies, skiny Jib (Tony Revolori) and lesbian Diggy (Kiersey Clemons), also love BMX riding, getting good grades, doing geeky stuffs and
forming their own punk band. While adults at school leave them because of their
nerd status, bullies continually pick on them.
Later, local hoodlum, Dom (A$AP Rocky), taps Malcolm and
uses him to woo Nakia (Zoë Kravitz) who our hero has crush on. However,
in a club party by Dom which surprisingly turns into a gunfight, the trio,
especially Malcolm, scores a point with Nakia by delivering her out of the
riot. The next day, much to his amazement, Malcolm discovers a gun and a
$100,000-worth of Ecstasy in his backpack. The friends initially plan to return
the drugs to Dom but he is temporarily behind bars. With some guys hot on their
tails, they instead enlist handy man Will’s (Blake Anderson) ingenuity and sell
the drugs themselves.
Dope is
infectiously energetic and amazingly insightful. It is filled with youthful
vibe to match its zany plotting. It tirelessly switches back-and-forth between aggression
and goofiness but the energy and charm never fade. Its humor is erratic,
broaching several subjects with social undercurrents like the hilarious encounter at
the house of two rich kids (Quincy Brown, Chanel Iman) and discussions on using
the N-word. Some gags reference pop culture, while others make use of
technology such as the Internet sensation road pee, the dealer using Find My
iPhone to track his stolen possessions, and the Bitcoin-assisted drug
transactions. The film’s sharp and smart dialogues, at times snappy and pointed,
also complement its generally positive and choleric disposition. If not for its
easy sense of humor, the movie would have taken on a darker tone due to
frequent violence and nudity.
Dope also excels
in many technical aspects. Camera works are masterfully fluid and dynamic, adding
extra flare and excitement. There are plenty of split screens and
freeze-frames, providing active windows to intertwining events happening. The 1990s
costume design is also superb, as well as the colourful and vibrant location. Musical
score and themes, mostly upbeat and hip-hop, jive along with the film’s verve.
Characters in the picture are likable, even made more
adorable by the punchy performance of the casts. Moore, who appears in almost every
frame as the mighty Malcolm, is undeniably a breakout star. He carries the role
with ease and credibility as a bright student who, despite being easily
intimated by girls and bullies, can outwit gangster. Revolori and Clemons also
shines as Malcom’s clever partners in crime. Kravitz, in her limited screen
time, delivers spunk to street-smart Nakia. Even Anderson, with his overflowing
curls and boyish charm, is a welcome hysterical interlude.
Behind the movie’s cinematic brilliance are its lingering social
undertones. It has sharp observations and subliminal commentaries, particularly
on importuned African-American youth. In its very heart, it speaks about
dreams, expectations, aspirations and challenges. Its messages clearly narrated
in Malcolm’s personal growth essay for his Harvard application towards the end
of the film.
Dope may be
another part-comedy, part-drama underdog film, but unlike the others, its lead
characters are intelligently sketched, making them daring and inspiring. With
its cannily-pieced narrative, almost flawless execution and head-nodding undercurrents,
this is one of the best youth-oriented movies of the year.
Production companies: Significant Productions, I
Am Other
Cast: Shameik Moore, Tony
Revolori, Kiersey Clemons, Kimberly Elise, Keith Stanfield, Blake Anderson, Zoë
Kravitz, A$AP Rocky, Chanel Iman, De’Aundre Bonds, Roger Guenveur Smith, Forest
Whitaker, Quincy Brown, Rick Fox, Amin Joseph, AshtonMoio
Writer-director: Rick
Famuyiwa
Producers: Forest
Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi
Executive producers:
Michael Y. Chow, Rick Famuyiwa, David Lonner
Co-executive producer:
Sean Combs
Director of photography:
Rachel Morrison
Production designer: Scott
Falconer
Costume designer: Patrik
Milani
Editor: Lee Haugen
Music: Pharrell Williams,
Germaine Franco
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