The Biopic of a Brooklyn born rapping legend, Notorious charts the life of Christopher Wallace from his troubled childhood, to his cocky drug dealing adolescence as Biggie Smalls and right up until the death of Notorious B.I.G. at the peak of his career in the late nineties.

It seems foolish to label a film based on fact, that everyone knows the outcome of, as predictable. But as sure as you can be that the Titanic will not quite make it, from the moment you see the angelic face of the young Christopher Wallace (played by the late rapper's son Christopher Jordan Wallace) it is clear that Notorious will not be an unbiased account. It seems even when Biggie is caught with his pants down, as he often is within the film, that there's a sort of "gangster rappers will be gangster rappers" intonation which tries to help you forget how disgustingly misogynous the larger than life star is. During the latter stages of the film, Biggie's alleged involvement with the attack on Tupac Shakur and subsequent east/west coast rivalry is denied and the film is careful to show Biggie repeatedly taking the moral high ground on the matter, which seems extremely contrived.

Having said that, Notorious isn't a bad film. It is however rather transparent as it regurgitates the familiar "gifted kid from the bad part of town makes it good" storyline, complete with neighbourhood bullies and saint-like single mum who teaches the importance of education. But what else should we expect from a film which lists its Executive Producer as Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and another producer as Voletta Wallace (Biggie's mother)?

In terms of the acting talent too much attention has been paid to casting the right look and sound-a-like for the character's real life counterparts. Particularly in relation to Naturi Naughton cast as Lil Kim and Derek Luke who plays a rather cool and good-looking depiction of Sean "Puffy the Exec Producer" Combs. Jamal Woolard in the lead role plays it convincingly and the film's strong moments centre around the dramatic scenes which involve the lead alongside his numerous leading ladies.

Other all too brief and superior scenes in Notorious occur after the death of B.I.G. as the the film captures the overwhelming emotion and grief, felt particularly by the mother in the last few moments of the film. This is clearly the most heartfelt and sincere depiction throughout the film, which almost allows you to forgive this unbelievably one-sided biopic.

No doubt fans of the large lyricist will love it, those indifferent should take a good pinch of salt with their popcorn.

Visit our new trailers section here.

  • This review was submitted by a reader. Submit yours in the 'reviews' section of our forums here.