Get Rich Or Die Tryin' (Widescreen Edition)

Very loosely autobiographical, this film tells the story of the rise from hard beginnings of the wildly successful rapper "Fifty Cent," who plays himself. In the hands of director Jim Sheridan ("My Left Foot," "In America"), it also becomes a story of a man's struggle to find his father (or whatever his father symbolically stands for, his own identity perhaps) and to learn the value of family in his life. His mother is killed, and his childhood sweetheart taken away. Two characters who may be his father are feuding, and he ends up taking sides, ultimately becoming responsible for the death of one of them. As is usually the case in such hard luck stories, the hero Marcus manages to overcome long odds and win his way back to love and success.

As that plot summary suggests, the general story lacks originality, or a more flattering description would be: it has an archetypal appeal. I prefer the latter interpretation. I liked this filim better than the other reviewers here. To enjoy it you have to enter into the appreciation of rap music and specifically of Fifty Cent's deadpan mumbling style. He's a big overgrown kid, with a luminous bashful smile; at the same time, he is a dangerous gangster, a young man in his physical prime not afraid to trade on his charm. It's a charismatic combination, and Jim Sheridan does a good job of coaching Fifty Cent in the trick of conveying his innocence and his menace.

I also like this movie because it frankly crosses cultural lines, bringing ancient principles of storytelling and family loyalty to African-American gangster culture, interpreting this working underclass both to itself and to the rest of America. I think it's a big-hearted movie.

It's also a well made film. The violent scenes are tough enough to be believable without being gratuitous, and the film editing works effectively to underscore the movie's themes. In addition to Fifty Cent himself, who I think is charming on screen, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaie as Majestic (gangster boss and one of Marcus's possible fathers) is riveting. Terence Howard is also excellent in the role of Bama, Marcus's friend and manager, and Marc John Jeffries is well cast as the young Marcus.

I'm not a big fan of 50 Cent. I'm not even, particularly, a big fan of rap. But, I did like Eminem's "8 Mile" so I gave this movie a chance. It's got the same formula basically...Multi-platinum rap star stars in a fictionalized version of his life story, with an uplifting message, and an odd director. "8 Mile" was directed by Curtis Hanson (who has directed L.A. Confidential and In Her Shoes), this film is directed by Jim Sheridan who (in the past) has is Irish and white. You may remember Sheridan as the director of "In America." Anyway, it's hard to say what movie is better; "8 Mile" or this, both films are very different...Both films feature surprisingly superb performances. Curtis Jackson, better known as 50 Cent plays Marcus. We meet Marcus as he and his crew rob a small store; They all escape, but Marcus is subsequently shot on his way back home. The film jumps backwards as we see Marcus grow up with his loving mother, who happens to be a drug dealer, who ends up being killed. Marcus is sent to live with his grandmother, but ends up dealing drugs under the watchful eye of Majestic (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaie). But Majestic is just small time compared to Levar (Bill Duke, who looks like a black mobster), who apparently runs everything. Anyway as Marcus grows up he forms his crew, consisting of Karyl (Omar Benson Miller, who was part of Eminem's crew in 8 Mile), Justice (Tory Kittles), and Antwan (Ashley Walters). But, putting aside the drug dealing and everything; there's gotta be a love interest which comes in the form of a childhood girlfriend named Charlene (Joy Bryant, "London"). When Marcus ends up getting arrested, his life is saved in jail by Bama (Oscar nominee Terrence Howard, Best Actor "Hustle & Flow") who becomes a friend of his and ends up joining the crew.

Roger Ebert said this film was "A film with rich and convincing texture, a drama with power & anger." That pretty much sums it up, but it's not cheap movie anger. 50 Cent is a gifted actor, you can see the pain in his face and in his eyes. Terrence Howard, as Bama, proves he's one of the finest actors around yet again. This guy holds your attention to the screen. Even if you don't like rap or you do like rap and don't like 50 Cent; This is a powerful, honest, and very entertaining movie.

GRADE: A

More like 3.5 to 4 stars...

Frankly I did not expect much from the movie, but when I went to see it in the theaters...I was suprised!! I read the critical reviews and saw that even Roger Ebert gave it is thumbs up. The movie is NOT Crash or Hustle & Flow, then then again it is not a John Singleton or Paul Haggis joint either.

50-cent is not an A-grade actor, but then who really expected him to be such. Apparantly the idiots who are bashing the film merely because they do not like RAP. If you hate RAP music, then why in the hell are you watching a RAPPER's film about his rise to riches in the RAP industry after breaking out of his hustlin' drug-filled post-teen years!! I mean D**m!!

I teach high school, and watched the film based on student's input...(I feel the need to keep in touch with the younger generation, YES). I can see how this might motivate a few of my "thugs" into reality. Yes, they idolize 50 (some hate him...snitch), but overall, the movie showed a positive moral message about WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND. If you work hard at something positive, you gain something. If you work hard at doing something bad and illegal (easy cash), then you get what's coming to you...a quick DEATH.

I plan on buying the movie when it is released on DVD. I would put it right up there in league with "Paid in Full." Another movie that in which a rapper (Cam'Ron) plays a lead roll.

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