Rotten
As mainstream hip hop becomes ever more predictable, so do the biopics about its stars.
Tom Huddlestone, Time Out
Notorious
No dream is too B.I.G.
2009 · 2h 2m · R
Drama, History, Music
Directed by
George Tillman Jr.
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Notorious
Overview
"Notorious" is the story of Christopher Wallace. Through raw talent and sheer determination, Wallace transforms himself from Brooklyn street hustler (once selling crack to pregnant women) to one of the greatest rappers of all time: The Notorious B.I.G. Follow his meteoric rise to fame and his refusal to succumb to expectations - redefining our notion of "The American Dream."
Director and cast
- George Tillman Jr. Director
- Jamal Woolard as Christopher 'Biggie' Wallace
- Derek Luke as Sean 'Puffy' Combs
- Naturi Naughton as Lil' Kim
- Anthony Mackie as Tupac "2Pac" Shakur
- Antonique Smith as Faith Evans
- Angela Bassett as Voletta Wallace
- Marc John Jefferies as Lil Cease
- Sean Ringgold as Suge Knight
- C.J. Wallace as Biggie (age 8-13)
- Dennis L.A. White as Damion 'D-Roc' Butler
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
52%
Tomatometer
Fresh
Even if we miss the thinking that went into the creation of Wallace's B.I.G.-ger-than-life alter ego, the movie's performances are exultant.
David Edelstein, New York Magazine/Vulture
Rotten
The movie leaves us with the sense that, twelve years after Biggie Smalls's death, a lot of people are trying to extract whatever profit or pride they can from the chaotic life of a young man who was, as he well knew, a work in progress.
David Denby, New Yorker
Fresh
If Milk set the standard for biopics in 2008, then 2009 is off to a strong start with Notorious.
Ben Mankiewicz, At the Movies
Fresh
For a hardcore fan of his music and his life, it rings true.
Ben Lyons, At the Movies
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