Fresh
Compulsively watchable and endlessly inventive as it transforms Broomfield's limited materials into a compelling argument.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Free account saves your watchlist and ratings.
Biggie & Tupac
Overview
In 1997, rap superstars Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace (aka Biggie Smalls, The Notorious B.I.G.) were gunned down in separate incidents, the apparent victims of hip hop's infamous east-west rivalry. Nick Broomfield's film introduces Russell Poole, an ex-cop with damning evidence that suggests the LAPD deliberately fumbled the case to conceal connections between the police, LA gangs and Death Row Records, the label run by feared rap mogul Marion "Suge" Knight.
Director and cast
- Nick Broomfield Director
- Tupac Shakur as himself
- Nick Broomfield as himself
- The Notorious B.I.G. as Himself (archive footage)
- Russell Poole as Himself
- Voletta Wallace as Self - Biggie's Mother
- Billy Garland as Self - Tupac's Biological Father
- Chico Del Vec as Self - Rapper
- Don Seabold as Self - Mark's Lawyer
- Donald Hicken as Self - Tupac's Teacher
- Frank Alexander as Self - Tupac's Bodyguard
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
81%
Tomatometer
Fresh
You don't need to know your Ice-T's from your Cool-J's to realize that as far as these shootings are concerned, something is rotten in the state of California.
John Petrakis, Chicago Tribune
Rotten
Broomfield's style of journalism is hardly journalism at all, and even those with an avid interest in the subject will grow impatient.
Alona Wartofsky, Washington Post
Rotten
Most of the information has already appeared in one forum or another and, no matter how Broomfield dresses it up, it tends to speculation, conspiracy theories or, at best, circumstantial evidence.
Richard Harrington, Washington Post
Fresh
Bristles with the sort of passion and bold purpose so often lacking in contemporary nonfiction filmmaking.
Manohla Dargis, Los Angeles Times
More films
Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell (2021)
Documentary · Music · R
Christopher Wallace, AKA The Notorious B.I.G., remains one of Hip-Hop’s icons, renowned for his distinctive flow and autobiographical lyrics. This documentary celebrates his life via rare behind-the-scenes footage and the testimonies of his closest friends and family.
- Runtime
- 1h 37m
- Cast
- The Notorious B.I.G., Sean Combs, Faith Evans
IMDb
6.8
Rotten Tomatoes
78%
Metacritic
62
Tupac: Resurrection (2003)
Documentary · Music · R
Home movies, photographs, and recited poetry illustrate the life of Tupac Shakur, one of the most beloved, revolutionary, and volatile hip-hop MCs of all time.
- Runtime
- 1h 52m
- Director
- Lauren Lazin
- Cast
- Tupac Shakur, Al Sharpton, Afeni Shakur
IMDb
7.9
Rotten Tomatoes
77%
Metacritic
66
Matangi / Maya / M.I.A. (2018)
Documentary · Music · N/A
Drawn from a never before seen cache of personal footage spanning decades, this is an intimate portrait of the Sri Lankan artist and musician who continues to shatter conventions.
- Runtime
- 1h 35m
- Cast
- M.I.A., Diplo, Spike Jonze
IMDb
7.5
Rotten Tomatoes
89%
Metacritic
70
Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me (2022)
Documentary · Music · R
After years in the limelight, Selena Gomez achieves unimaginable stardom. But just as she reaches a new peak, an unexpected turn pulls her into darkness. This uniquely raw and intimate documentary spans her six-year journey into a new light.
- Runtime
- 1h 35m
- Cast
- Selena Gomez, Raquelle Stevens, Ashley Cook
IMDb
7.3
Rotten Tomatoes
97%
Metacritic
68
My Mom Jayne (2025)
Documentary · TV-MA
Through deeply personal interviews with her siblings and an examination of the photographs, letters, and belongings left behind, Mariska assembles a new portrait of her mother Jayne Mansfield, an extraordinary and complex woman.
- Runtime
- 1h 46m
- Director
- Mariska Hargitay
- Cast
- Jayne Mansfield, Jayne Marie Mansfield, Mickey Hargitay Jr.
IMDb
8.3
Rotten Tomatoes
100%
Metacritic
75
The Four Robinsons (1939)
Comedy · N/A
Four friends pretend a cruise to escape their wives and go clubbing, but they are forced to go through face-saving shipwreck, becoming castaways.
- Runtime
- 1h 38m
- Director
- Eduardo García Maroto
- Cast
- Antonio Vico, Mary Santpere, Fernando Rey
IMDb
5.8
La mantilla de Beatriz (1946)
Drama · Romance · N/A
In XVII century Portugal two friends change identities so one of them can escape an unwanted marriage to Beatriz.
- Runtime
- 1h 27m
- Director
- Eduardo García Maroto
- Cast
- Virgílio Teixeira, Margarita Andrey, María Isbert
Comments
Talk about the film with other members