Last weekend I went to see the critically-acclaimed film, Dope, and I can honestly say that it was one of the best movies I’ve seen this year, and probably my favorite too. Here are some of the reasons why I think you should take yourself to the movie theater this week to watch Dope.
1. IT CHALLENGES STEREOTYPES
I feel like this movie could’ve turned into the stereotypical “underprivileged-kid-with-no-father-from-the-hood-trying-to-rise-above-what-is-expected-of-him” story. But from the very beginning, the main character, Malcolm, refuses to write about being raised by a single mom in a bad neighborhood for his college application essay. Dope, therefore, made it really clear it wasn’t going to be that kind of story.
It doesn’t force the same stereotypes of what being Black entails. In fact, it shows that black people are just like everyone else by showing us in all different roles — everything from the geek to the girl in the hood to the drug dealer. Even in the scene leading up to a drug deal, the drug dealers were discussing drones and the consequences that they present. You don’t see that in any other movie, do you?
2. IT DOESN’T TRY TOO HARD
Even though it was praised at Sundance and Cannes, this film isn’t trying to be an Oscar-nominated film. Instead, it’s just unapologetically honest, hilarious and emotional. The plot line doesn’t try to show a dramatic biopic of the hood or what being Black means. Everything that’s said and done is completely natural, and that is very much appreciated.
3. DIRECTOR RICK FAMUYIWA IS REPRESENTIN’
It’s rare to see a mostly-Black cast on the big screen. It’s even rarer to see a mostly-Black cast with a Black director. Nigerian-American Rick Famuyiwa both wrote and directed this film. That’s why the story was so relatable and authentic — it wasn’t created by another White guy who didn’t have a real connection to what he was writing about.
4. THIS CAST IS FLAWLESS
Shameik Moore, who plays the main character, Malcolm, completely stole my heart. His performance was complex and his character was really relatable. And everyone in the cast, no matter the size of their role, was flawless. I can’t even put their awesomeness into words.
5. THE SOUNDTRACK IS DOPE (no pun intended)
I’ve got to hand it to him, Pharrell curated one of the best soundtracks I’ve heard in a really long time. It includes amazing hip-hop songs and some original hits by Pharrell. Please — if you don’t watch the movie, at least listen to the soundtrack. And remember to set the speed to 1.25. It’ll make your day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdB5EDkvI_0
6. A BLACK MOVIE FINALLY GETS A HAPPY ENDING
Spoiler Alert: This movie has a happy ending, and that’s not common for movies with Black casts. Everything always has to end with abuse, tragedy, or at best a bittersweet ending. I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of that notion. We already have it bad in the real world. It’s not fair that if I want to watch people who look like me on the big screen I have to always see them experiencing discrimination and abuse. For once, I want to see Black people overcome and be happy, and that’s what Dope is all about.
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