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'Notorious' Biopic Leaves Loose Ends

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By CURTIS ROSS

cross@tampatrib.com

Published: January 15, 2009

Updated:

Hip-hop in the mid-'90s was a swirl of violence, ostentation and some genuine talent. Director George Tillman Jr. ("Men of Honor") captures that era in "Notorious," the biopic of arguably the '90s greatest MC, Christopher "Biggie Smalls" Wallace, a k a The Notorious B.I.G.

Arguably, because Wallace's rivalry with fellow rapper Tupac Shakur was at the center of the bitter and violent East Coast-West Coast rivalry which quite possibly left both young men dead. Neither shooting death has been solved.

Fitting for a life ended at 24, Tillman keeps the pace brisk. The young Christopher, played by the rapper's son, Christopher "CJ" Wallace, is a bright student whose mother, Voletta (a stern Angela Bassett) does her best to shelter him from the criminal activity that pervades their Brooklyn neighborhood.

Christopher eventually succumbs, selling crack until an arrest leads to a prison stay. He comes out with notebooks full of rhymes, hooking up with aspiring mogul Sean "Puffy" Combs (Derek Luke) who shepherds his talented charge to superstardom.

Jamal Wollard plays the grown Wallace. He's got Biggie's intimidating scowl down pat, but more importantly he keeps his character human, even when he's selling crack to a pregnant addict or assaulting wife Faith Evans (Antonique Smith).

Biggie's friendship with Tupac Shakur (Anthony Mackie) begins with Shakur advising the younger rapper on the pitfalls of fame. It ends when Shakur is shot at the studio where Biggie is recording.

Shakur blames Biggie and the East Coast-West Coast rap feud erupts into a war that ends with Shakur and Biggie gunned down less than a year apart.

Speculation about gang involvement and complicity on the part of the Los Angeles Police Department has run rampant since Wallace's death. There are stories linking Wallace to Shakur's death, and Shakur's manager, Suge Knight, to Biggie's.

It's understandable that the filmmakers wouldn't want to venture into this potential legal minefield, but it's frustrating nonetheless. For the movie to not address these accusations, even if only to deny them, feels dishonest.

Still, "Notorious" is an entertaining ride, and gives viewers a glimpse into the short, troubled life of one of hip-hop's greats.

MOVIE REVIEW

Notorious **½

MOVIE BOARD RATING: R (profanity, sex, drug content)

STARS: Jamal Wollard, Angela Bassett, Derek Luke

DIRECTOR: George Tillman Jr.

LOCATION: See movie times, Page 11, for local showtimes.

PLOT SUMMARY: Sheltered schoolboy turns to drug dealing and then rapping, becoming superstar Biggie Smalls.

RUNNING TIME: 123 minutes

ON THE WEB: www.foxsearchlight.com/notorious/

Curtis Ross can be reached at or (813) 259-7568.

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