Review: ‘Roxanne Roxanne’ Is a Slice of Old-School Hip-Hop Life
Chanté Adams plays Roxanne Shante, who became a hip-hop star with “Roxanne’s Revenge.”
A POWERFUL YOUNG PEOPLE FROM THE QUEENSBRIDGE PROJECTS WAS THE MOST FEARED COMBAT RAPPER IN QUEENS, NEW YORK, IN THE EARLY 1980S. ROXANNE SHANTÉ WAS ON HER WAY TO BECOMING A HIP-HOP ICON AT THE AGE OF 14, AS SHE HUSTLED TO SUPPORT FOR HER FAMILY WHILE DEFENDING HERSELF FROM THE THREATS OF THE STREET.
Chanté Adams, who plays Roxanne's older love interest, with Mahershala Ali.
The small indie setting of this film is a good match for the old-school subject of rap popularity before hip-hop culture went global. Michael Larnell, the filmmaker, shows you the warts and all, but he deftly avoids another cautionary story about the ills of show industry. This is also not a superhero story in which microphones and Adidas replace utility belts and capes. (The 1980s era design is as meticulously recreated here as it is in "Stranger Things.")
The first scene reveals the film's dramatic priorities. Roxanne paces the streets, preparing for a rap battle, as a mob of pals follows her. You can tell she's tough from the expression on her face, and when she goes up against a guy who mocks her, you expect a virtuoso performance. But then the film cuts away.
Don't worry, there will be rap battles and concert scenes, and they will not disappoint. But they are the bass line beat. The drama of everyday life is what keeps this story in your mind.
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