The Oscars are well over but the whole controversy over #OscarsSoWhite led me to view the wonderful film, Straight Outta Compton. I was surprised at how great it actually is.
To say it should’ve at least been nominated for an Oscar for best film, is a no-brainer. I was stunned by its complexity, the performances, the directing, and the story. What better film to shower with attention than this one at a time when there have been so many incidents of police shootings of blacks, and now that racism is so apparent in the Trump campaign for presidential election. Not that this film is about any of that. It’s not. But it does give a window on what it’s like for many black youth in America today.
Story
Straight Outta Compton, directed by F. Gary Gray, is about four young men who took themselves out of Compton through their music. They achieved superstar status through their rap, that spoke of police brutality, of being the underdog, of being in a culture of violence. I’ve never been a fan of gangster rap but I’d heard snippets at various awards shows and on film. I had dismissed it as too violent in content. But now that I’ve seen this movie, I understand where and why this music arrived when it did and how it revealed the truth of too many black youth’s experiences.
In the film, there’s a clip of Rodney King’s assault by police and the following trial’s outcome. The film doesn’t dwell on this miscarriage of justice but the incident and its violent aftermath, the riots in L.A., took place during the rise of these musical stars. Showing police brutality underlined the message that there is an imbalance in America—racism on the streets of its cities. The film exposed the other America, one that many of us don’t see because we don’t live or travel in those circles.
From Wikipedia
Straight Outta Compton’s Snub, A Tragedy
Getting back to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences—which is responsible for the Oscars—I wonder
how many of its members actually saw Straight Outta Compton. If they had, they couldn’t have possibly overlooked this superb film or could they have? And if they did see it and chose not to nominate it, you have to wonder why. It’s a tragedy. I’m obviously not alone in this opinion. We all know the fuss that was made this year when the Oscar nominations were announced and there were no black contenders in the group of nominees.
Spotlight, the film that won the Oscar for best film, was very good—great story and ensemble acting—but when viewed alongside Straight Outta Compton, it pales in comparison.
Would love to hear your thoughts.
So many movies … so little time. I’ll add this one to my Must See list.
You won’t be sorry.
Yes, I hear it’s a great movie. Who knows why the Academy chooses the films they choose. I usually think they choose the wrong films regardless of ethnicity. But then I don’t watch the Academy Awards. I just look at the dresses afterwards.
I thought the same thing, Julia, but when I saw the film, I changed my mind. And yes, because the Oscars tend to be political, I watch it for the dresses and the monologue off the top. Love the gowns. Wouldn’t you like to be able to wear one of those, huh? Loved Cate Blanchett’s gown this year.
Great review! I will definitely watch this film. One little nit to pick. L.A. Police did not murder Rodney, they assaulted him.
Ohmigod, thanks for the correction, Bob. I’ll fix it right away. I guess the beating was so shocking that it registered in my brain that way.
A few months ago I heard about “Straight Outta Compton” while running and listening to National Public Radio (NPR) and remembered it for some reason. Like you I am no fan of rap and did not even thing about it with the Oscars and didn’t watch this year. I did see “Spotlight” and thought it was excellent. Thanks for giving our opinion of “SOC” as now I might consider seeing it.
You’re welcome, Jo. I found the film both educational and entertaining. It underlined for me again how difficult it is to be poor and black in America.