A 2015 high school senior like Malcolm (Atlanta-born Shameik Moore) is as far removed from 1995 as the class of ‘95 was from 1975, and I still remember the strength of ‘70s nostalgia for a ‘90s high schooler. From his fly hairstyle and clothes, to his taste for ‘90s hip hop, to his vocabulary cribbed from old videotapes of “Yo! MTV Raps” (Ed Lover and not that Doctor Dre!), self-proclaimed geek Malcolm and his best friends, Diggy (Kiersey Clemons) and Jib (Tony Revolori, better known as The Grand Budapest Hotel’s Zero), worship ‘90s culture.
They also are struggling to survive in Inglewood until they graduate. But for now Malcolm dreams of Harvard and his dream girl (Zoë Kravitz) until the fateful night when he gets unwittingly involved in the dope game, thanks to local dealer, Dom (A$AP Rocky). The beauty of writer-director Rick Famuyiwa’s tweak on the coming-of-age tale is how specific, yet relatable, it is. It’s like Frank Portman’s terrific King Dork or I Love You, Beth Cooper (book, not movie) or any other young adult story, but it’s set in a tough L.A. neighborhood, rather than the suburbs or a small town.
Famuyiwa is probably best known for his debut, 1999’s The Wood, but Dope is his best film, yet. It has a youthful energy, a star-making turn from Moore, heart, humor and a bit of a message. Here is my one criticism: The narration from Forrest Whitaker is unnecessary. Otherwise, Dope is John Hughes in the hood, and it is dope or fly or whatever the kids are saying these days.
Like what you just read? Support Flagpole by making a donation today. Every dollar you give helps fund our ongoing mission to provide Athens with quality, independent journalism.
