While there is a dearth of women-who-aren’t-objects in this movie, what it does have is a ton of good acting by males, particularly Jason Mitchell as Easy-E. Though I was the right age to be a fan, the rock/rap divide was a chasm on the time and I was standing firmly on the heavy metal side,* so I was watching this for the story (it delivered) rather than the music. I found myself questioning if having all the members of NWA sign off on this movie meant that some things were portrayed in a more rosy light than maybe actual events that occurred, but ultimately enjoyed this motion picture.**
Cost: $5.00
Where watched: Hollywood Theater with Kelly***
*For instance, when I hear the phrase “straight outta Compton”, I think not of NWA, but the line from the Kid Rock song “Cowboy”: I ain’t straight outta Compton, I’m straight out the trailer.
**Also, I found myself marveling at just how BIG t-shirts in the 80s were. I mean, I was wearing them too, but in comparison to now, the actors were swimming in them.
***Note that Kelly and I began the summer with a movie featuring Paul Giamatti taking advantage of a musician and we ended the summer with a movie where Paul Giamatti took advantage of multiple musicians. Crazy.
poster from: http://www.impawards.com/2015/wolfpack.html
I didn’t even know that Paul Giamatti is in this! Holy cow, that man’s been working a lot. I’ve been wanting to see this but haven’t felt like committing to 2.5 hours in a movie theater. This is the era of rap that I love (80s & 90s) so when I do eventually see it, it will be for both the music and the story. And yes, when I watch stuff from the 80s and early 90s, I’m always amazed at how BIG all the clothes are. A very weird fashion trend.
A friend was telling me the other night that the film completely glosses over the numerous domestic violence allegations against Dre (never arrested but he’s apparently admitted that he was violent when he was younger).
Yeah, there’s nothing about that. The misogyny comes through loud and clear though. One of the trivia facts on the IMDB page said their casting call for women was completely racist too.
And for a 2.5 hour movie, I didn’t really notice it was that long. It clips right along (minus a little too much in the “we’re wealthy” scenes).