1917
Just Mercy
The Lighthouse
Dare Me
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Roxanne Roxanne belatedly honors its subject with a gripping character-driven biopic that serves as a primer for a trailblazing career while telling an often tragic story.
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All Critics (30) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (21) | Rotten (9)
Larnell gathers a wide cast of vital actors for a bustling series of incidents that veer quickly from the sentimental to the shattering. Mar 26, 2018 | Full Review…
Larnell gathers a wide cast of vital actors for a bustling series of incidents that veer quickly from the sentimental to the shattering.
Richard Brody
Adams is able to bring Shanté to life, but "Roxanne Roxanne" is so focused on personal details that the bigger picture is rendered blurry. Mar 23, 2018 | Rating: C | Full Review…
Adams is able to bring Shanté to life, but "Roxanne Roxanne" is so focused on personal details that the bigger picture is rendered blurry.
Adam Graham
A film that breaks the musical biopic mold in ways that are sometimes frustrating and frequently exhilarating. Mar 22, 2018 | Full Review…
A film that breaks the musical biopic mold in ways that are sometimes frustrating and frequently exhilarating.
Sheri Linden
Don't worry: There will be rap battles and concert scenes and they do not disappoint. But they are the bass line beat. The drama of ordinary life is what makes this story stick in your head. Mar 22, 2018 | Full Review…
Don't worry: There will be rap battles and concert scenes and they do not disappoint. But they are the bass line beat. The drama of ordinary life is what makes this story stick in your head.
Jason Zinoman
By shaping Roxanne Roxanne as a character profile, Larnell accentuates his actors' performances and crafts a nuanced community portrait ... Mar 20, 2018 | Rating: B | Full Review…
By shaping Roxanne Roxanne as a character profile, Larnell accentuates his actors' performances and crafts a nuanced community portrait ...
Vikram Murthi
In attempting a gritty portrayal of Shanté's little-known private life, Roxanne Roxanne forgets her genius, as so many other people did back in the day. Mar 20, 2018 | Full Review…
In attempting a gritty portrayal of Shanté's little-known private life, Roxanne Roxanne forgets her genius, as so many other people did back in the day.
Kristen Yoonsoo Kim
This movie is well acted, but it does seem to operate on a single, rather depressing note throughout. It would have helped if there was more of an emotional story arc to it. It ends not far emotionally from where it starts. Feb 4, 2019 | Rating: C | Full Review…
This movie is well acted, but it does seem to operate on a single, rather depressing note throughout. It would have helped if there was more of an emotional story arc to it. It ends not far emotionally from where it starts.
Robert Roten
A gritty but incomplete character-driven musical biopic." Feb 3, 2019 | Rating: C+ | Full Review…
A gritty but incomplete character-driven musical biopic."
Dennis Schwartz
Nia Long has her fiercest role in ages and gives her best performance in years in this gritty tale of love and hip hop. Sep 25, 2018 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…
Nia Long has her fiercest role in ages and gives her best performance in years in this gritty tale of love and hip hop.
Roger Moore
I was devastated about what a waste of phenomenal talent this movie [is]... It was basic, and it was lazy writing. Sep 7, 2018 | Full Review…
I was devastated about what a waste of phenomenal talent this movie [is]... It was basic, and it was lazy writing.
Funmi Sunmonu
Left as a footnote in music and hip hop history, when the film is at its best, it's a mold breaking biopic for its subject. At its worst, it's as unfocused as the teenage mind it inhabits. Aug 26, 2018 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…
Left as a footnote in music and hip hop history, when the film is at its best, it's a mold breaking biopic for its subject. At its worst, it's as unfocused as the teenage mind it inhabits.
Robert Daniels
Gets a difficult job done right: telling a Black woman's story on the screen. It tells that story with no frills, no gimmicks, no myths, and no pulled punches. It's real from jump. Jun 14, 2018 | Full Review…
Gets a difficult job done right: telling a Black woman's story on the screen. It tells that story with no frills, no gimmicks, no myths, and no pulled punches. It's real from jump.
Frantz Jerome
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