ROXANNE, ROXANNE (2018)

Written & Directed By: Michael Larnell 
Cinematography By: Federico Cesca 
Editor: Claudio Castella 
Music By: RZA 


Cast: Chante Adams, Nia Long, Mahershala Ali, Elvis Nolasco, Nelsan Ellis, Shenell Edmonds, Tremaine Brown Jr., Jermaine Crawford, Curtiss Hook, Adam Horowitz 


In the late 80s/ early 1990s, the most feared battle MC in Queens, New York, was a fierce teenage girl with the weight of the world on her shoulders. At the age of 14, Lolita "Roxanne Shanté" Gooden was well on her way to becoming a hip-hop legend as she hustled to provide for her family while defending herself from the dangers of the streets of the Queensbridge Projects in NYC.

This film is strong though it plays small. It examines the early life of rapper Roxanne shante and gives a glimpse into one of the many roots of hip-hop.

Chante Adams in the lead makes a dynamic big screen lead debut in her performance. As she is tough, charasimatic, beautiful and fragile when she needs to be.

The movie shows visual flair at times in certain scenes especially when showing her losing her virginity and that same pain when she gives birth to another painful scene of the birth of the physical violence against her.

It’s truly a step up for director Michael Larnell whose previous CRONIES as a fan of. Here he gets a wider palette to paint on and shows off his various and visual skills.

What fascinates is that though this is a story of survival. The movie never sugarcoats anything. Even characters who would be played up as villains in a more mainstream movie are given depth and equal characterization as good people who are capable of bad things or bad people who are capable of good things. Of course given the situation.

Even as the set-up of the relationship between her and her future older boyfriend. Played by Mahershala Ali feels different and smart.

One does wish the film dealt a little more outside the neighborhood, but it also shows that essentially for the main character st the time there really was little escape.

Like the character of he mother played by Nia long who is tough but we see why she is so tough. As life and the men in it seems to have always let her down and left her with more and more baggage that she has to manage. You can tell she loves her daughters and is doing the best she can, but insists they live by her rules. Long plays the hell out of this role in a way and character we have never seen her play before.

The Story deals with the characters point of view in situations. Which might be why most of the males if not all are not exactly heroic or even really seen as good guys. Some help and practice restraint but none really come off as too decent. Which is the characters and neighborhoods truth more than anything. The film isn’t afraid to expose that aspect.

The films budget is huge and makes the story and film seem smaller and contained but that works because even when famous. We and she never gets to see the real glitz and glamour and by the end. As she comes out the wiser it’s not her taking the stage at a show. Show by she will be ok, but actually showing her influence on those around her. Which seems more rewarding to a degree. 

As it feels more of a film of the people. Even if you know the story. This offers a more personal glimpse. It feels like a film of not only representation but speaking to it’s audience and not being talked down to with some kind of message.

This might not be the prettiest film but you can tell a lot of care and passion went into it and that is part of the films spirit that helps moves us in the audience. 

Grade: B-