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March 2006

ATL

By Melissa Walters

ATL

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Distributor: Warner Bros.
Director: Chris Robinson
Producers: James Lassitter, Will Smith, Jody Gerson, Dallas Austin
Executive Producers: Timothy M. Bourne, Tionne Watkins
Screenwriters: Tina Gordon Chism, based on a story by Antwone Fisher
Cinematographer: Crash
Cast: Tip “T.I” Harris, Lauren London, Evan Ross, Jackie Long, Mykelti Williamson, Keith David, Jason Weaver, Albert Daniels, Lonette McKee, and Antwan Andre “Big Boi” Patterson.  


   

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Just about every month or so, there’s always some “coming-of-age” film that gets released. It usually involves a teenager or teenagers going thru life in either a depressing, happy, or romantic situation. It’s about making something out of themselves and the life they live. With “ATL”, we get all of that and more in Chris Robinson’s debut film. Not only does the film features a number of newcomers in the film business but introduces breakout performances from rapper T.I and Evan Ross. Based on the lives of music producer Dallas Austin and TLC’s T-Boz, “ATL” does Atlanta by proud by taking a predictable story and adding music, humor, and romance in a simple tale of life in the hood. It’s an emotional, moving, and pleasing film for all to enjoy.

Set in Atlanta, the film follows the lives of 17 year-old Rashad (T.I) and his brother Ant (Ross) who live a house shared by their uncle George (Williamson). With their parents dead, Rashad pretty much feels that he’s the man of the house and taking care of his brother, but George is the one paying the bills. Doing custodial work with his uncle earns Rashad money so that he help Ant get out of town and a have a good life. When school is out, Rashad hangs with his boys Esquire, Teddy, and Brooklyn. Esquire (Long) is the smartest of the group, looking to attend to an Ivy League school but needs a recommendation letter to seal the deal. When he meets CEO John Garrett (David) while working in a golf resort, he sees his opportunity brighten. Teddy (Weaver) is the oldest of the group looking to make a business out of selling teeth “grills”; and Brooklyn is of course from New York, who longs to step up his position at a fast food restaurant. On Sunday nights, the boys and others kids go by the local roller skating rink where the music is popping and the competition is on for the best skaters. That is where Rashad meets New New (Lauren), a girl who has different views than led to believe. Meanwhile, Ant wants to make some money on his own and hooks up with a drug dealer (Big Boi).

While this urban adolescent tale has familiar themes that we have seen in other coming-of age films such as class issues, and the usually family issues of different sorts, what works is that the story is heartfelt, and with a bunch of newcomers on the scene, it’s fresh to see a “new” approach. This film also gives a chance for director Chris Robinson to bring his skills from the music video world to the big screen and he delivers. The shots of kids roller skating are kinetic and delightful. In his film debut, rapper T.I demonstrated that he has the chops to be in this business and carry a film. Unlike other rappers who have failed in their debuts, T.I’s performance reveals that he has more range than expected and only time will define his position as an actor. As the son of Diana Ross and brother to actresses (Tracy Ellis, Rhonda, and Chudney), it was only a matter of time when Evan Ross was going to get into the game and he chose the right film for his debut. His character had multiple layers of dimensions that Ross was able to convey on screen. The supporting cast was just as good in their scenes of comedic elements, romantic display and even frightening moments. Big Boi showed that he too could match his Outkast partner Andre Benjamin in the acting. Rather than play one-note villain in the film, Big Boi added some swagger to his character to make the situation look realistic. The setting also serves as a character when places like the diner, the roller skating rink, the mansion, and house in the hood show the disparity among urban races. Though some of the writing has clichés statement, the story is genuine and enjoyable that it serves as a backdrop to the excitement of seeing new kids on the block.