Dope

Dope, the latest movie from writer/directer Rick Famuyiwa is a hilarious tale of three high school seniors. They live in Inglewood surrounded by gangs, and these three don't quite fit into their surroundings. They're throwbacks who get their fashion sense from the mid 90's, ride dirt bikes, skateboards, play in a punk band, and get good grades. In other words, they're geeks. Just that alone makes this movie one to see, but what you get is so much more, and for that I am giving Dope three buckets of Killer Korn.











Dope is not flawless, but the execution is brilliant. It's the story of high school senior Malcolm, played hilariously by Shameik Moore and his two friends Diggy, played by Kiersey Clemons, and Jib, played by Tony Revolori. They spend their days trying not to get beaten up while getting good grades, their afternoons trying to avoid the Crips and the Bloods (Jib would like someone to create an app that would re-route you in order to help one avoid gang activity,), and their nights jerking off (at least in Malcolm's case). Rick did an excellent job of capturing the awkwardness of that age with his writing, and Shameik brought all that discomfort and angst wonderfully to the screen. Malcolm is a seventeen year old trying to figure out how to get into Harvard when he's told he should lower his expectations and "get real". He's in love with a girl who is involved with a gang member that puts Malcolm and his two friends in situations that could get them killed. What unfolds after that is pure genius.

Dope is told in such a frenetic way with flashbacks, leaps of imaginations, and violence that it can sometimes be difficult to keep track of all that's going on. A true representation of teenage years. The dialogue crackled (Be prepared for a lot of N-word usage.), and when something couldn't be talked out, facial expressions worked even better. Malcolm's in love with Nakia, played by Zoe Kravitz, she's the fly, light skin, long braid and bright red lipstick wearing girl that fit the mold of all the gang movies from the 90's. She's somewhat involved with Dom, played by rapper Rakim Myers aka A$ap Rocky. Dom works for Austin Jacoby, played by the incredibly talented Roger Guenveur Smith and after a drug deal get's interrupted, Malcolm ends up working for him as well. The funny/ironic part of that relationship is something I won't divulge, but how it all works out will have your head spinning.

Dope's soundtrack is just that, DOPE! Comprised of classic 90's hip hop featuring everyone from Tribe Called Quest to Digable Planets to Public Enemy to Naughty By Nature to Digital Underground. The soundtrack will definitely take you back. Narrated by the velvet tones of Oscar winner Forest Whitaker adds to the hilarity of the movie, and some scenes will bring tears to your eyes. There is a turning point in Malcolm's life that makes the movie solid, and the ending will have you applauding and nodding your head in approval. As I said, Dope is not without its flaws (too frenetically paced at times, unresolved story lines, hollow secondary characters) but you can forgive the flaws because Rick always brings it back to what matters the most, the growth and friendship between Malcolm, Diggy, and Jib. With Sean "Puffy" Combs, Pharrell Williams, and Forrest Whitaker all listed as producers, Dope shows that when powerful Black men come together they can make magic happen. Let's hope Dope is just the beginning of something special. I loved everything about this movie, and if you give it a chance, you might as well. Dope is worth seeing, and I'll see you at the theater.