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On the Come Up

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On the Come Up

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Summary

Coming-of-age comedy drama starring Jamila C Gray and Sanaa Lathan. Sixteen-year-old Brianna "Bri" Jackson is determined to emulate her father's legendary status in the local inner-city community and make it as a rapper. However, her widowed mother's financial woes and recovery from addiction mean the path to signing with a record company and realising her dream will not come easy.

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Review

A star rating of 3 out of 5.

Alice Lambert

Based on a novel by Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give), this poignant coming-of-age tale charts the turbulent rise of teenage lyrical prodigy Brianna "Bri" Jackson (a lively Jamila C Gray), whose magnetic talent propels her from local battle-rap rings to overnight success. Director Sanaa Lathan - who also co-stars as Bri's recovering addict mother - deftly blends the raw intensity of hip-hop with familiar teenage experiences of first crushes and self-discovery, while remaining astutely focused on the sometimes brutal reality of Bri's childhood, clouded by gang violence, poverty and systemic racism. A vibrant soundtrack produced by members of the 1500 or Nothin' music collective helps ensure the energy of the film rarely dips, despite a somewhat busy plot. It's refreshing to see a woman at the centre of a hip-hop story, rather than sidelined as someone else's muse, and the film occasionally works to call out the double standards that have often affected those aspiring to work in the music industry. A serious-minded tale that pulses with verve.

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5.7/10

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Credits

Cast

rolenameBrianna "Bri" JacksonJamila GrayJayda "Jay" JacksonSanaa LathanAunt PoohDa'Vine Joy RandolphHypeMike EppsSupremeMethod Man SonnyMiles Gutierrez-RileyMalikMichael Cooper Jr

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Crew

rolenameDirectorSanaa Lathan

Details

Released on

2022-10-01

Languages

English

Guidance

Violence, swearing, sexual references

Formats

Colour

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