I am stunned that the formulaic, cliche ridden, boring, over-the-hill $cientologist Tom Cruise movie, American Made, has a rating of 8.8 and this movie 6.6. I don't have much hope for American culture anymore. We love the crap that we are fed by the entertainment *industry*, and give those same people more power than they deserve. This isn't about whether you like rap or not (I don't listen to it); that's not the issue. It's not a musical. Danielle Macdonald (Patti Cake$) is easy to listen to and the rap lyrics are clever. Funny how those who tolerate outrageous lyrics in rock/metal are suddenly offended by rap lyrics. I remember being young and the cherry on top was that my parents were highly offended by the music I liked. Rap is protest music, shock music, music about joy and desperation. Taken in that vein, it adds to the film rather than takes away from it. This film is even more remarkable in that its budget was under $5mil. Again, proof that budget is no indicator of quality.
This is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. I found it on a streaming service tonight. This is not your usual rags to riches(?) music story.
Stories have to have some bit of formula in them, and that has been true since before Shakespeare, but Patti Cake$ keeps the formula in check with some much needed freshness and originality. The first part is all about theme, as people on the margins rely on their dreams to get up in the morning. From Patti's mom singing Heart's version of the lovely song "These Dreams" (Bridget Everett handles her character's vocals superbly), and her failed rock career, to Patti's seemingly hopeless music dreams, the theme overrides the formula. Patti can't sing, so her dream has more hurdles than usual as she uses her poetry as a white rapper chick. An obese white rapper chick. She might as well have tried to become Rhianna, complete with the necessary physical changes.
The originally but never cartoonish quirky cast of characters in Patti's orbit add to this movie's watch-ability as we watch her put together a rap group. The acting is more than top notch from all involved, but Australian actress Danielle Macdonald as the Jersey Girl, Patti Cake$, deserved an Oscar. The formula kicks in as Patti hits the wall of life's hurdles, which she compounds, as we all do to some extent. Patti has no true role models in life except for an uber famous rapper she idolizes and dreams of signing her. Her mom has hit the rails and only sees value in Patti by what money she can bring in. Her Nana is on her side, but is our family's love ever enough when we are young? No.
This movie grabbed me in the emotions and didn't let me go, more than any movie I have seen in a long, long time. The great acting and characterizations, plus masterful directing and writing, pulled me deep into Patti's life, as I related to her music dreams. I wouldn't watch this while doing chores, etc. You won't get the full effect.
There are many twists and turns, and an interesting ending, but I will leave them to you as I don't want to put spoilers. If you require most of the actors to be "hot", don't bother with this. If you like meat with your salad, and substance, you will. If you've ever started from less than zero with your dreams, you will.
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