ATL

Year: 2006

Grade: C-

Country: USA

Director: Robinson

Review

urban drama that has more comedic elements than films like boyz in the hood or menace II society. the film begins with the premise that atlanta is a tough place and the characters we’re about to see are students in the school of hard knocks. what unfolds, though, is a story that is much lighter than that premise. it’s got plenty of light moments and a few scenes at the local roller rink which split the film up and keep things entertaining – at least that’s the goal. unfortunately the film is neither urban comedy nor urban drama. it does a little of both, but neither very well. there are some ambitious moments of drama which have mixed results, mostly because the film’s tone is uneven and the acting is inferior. the underlying themes and goal of the picture are commendable enough – it’s not another film glorifying the ghetto lifestyle – but the film doesn’t have the same resonance as something like menace II society which is realistic in its depiction of the glory and downfall of living a gangster lifestyle.

Watched in theater