ATL
2.5 of 4 Stars
Rated: PG-13 (Sexual Reference, Language and Violence)
Featuring: Mykelti Williamson, Antwan “Big Boi” Patton, Albert Daniels, Jackie Long, Evan
Ross
Director: Chris Robinson
Producer: Dallas Austin, Jody Gerson, James Lassiter
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Guest Reviewer: Sharon Cawthorne
ATL: The New American Story, opens loud with a hip-hop track in the background while we’
re introduced to the story’s ensemble of family and friends all living in the Mechanicsville
area of Atlanta. In Atlanta, better known as ATL, a custom grill describes gold-capped teeth
and spinners bling-bling from roller skate wheels as well as from souped up cars. Although
the movie is set in a neighborhood, it manages to explore universal themes of race, class,
caste and gender.
This tale is narrated by 17 year-old, high school senior, Rashad (played by rap artist Tip “T.
I.” Harris). By combining comedic scenes and drama, we are introduced to his four friends
and their family situations. Demur, blue-collar, Rashad hides his dreams in an artist’s
notepad and revels in his parental role to his younger brother, Ant (Evan Ross). Rashad’s
straight-man nature is offset, by high-energy roller skating, where he and his friends are
driven to compete for a coveted award at the Cascades roller rink. This competition keeps
them together as friends and serves as a diversion as they plan for their transition from high
school to young adulthood.
ATL portrays the grit of urban life with several scenes involving drug deals on school
grounds, tightly-clad clothing, fondling, and profanity. There are also references made to
being a “pimp.” The N-word is used in conversations as well as in the music. Women are
objects of crude fascination, as several close-ups, including the trailer, focus on various
parts of female anatomy. Rashad and his love interest New New (Lauren London) have a
bedroom scene, as lights magically go out. In the same evening, Ant (a teenager)
experiences his first sexual interlude in the backseat of a car. There are several scenes of
violence involving Ant’s drug dealing mentor Marcus (Antwan Andre Patton, Outkast’s Big
Boi).
Marcus, who has the appeal of the serpent, has an arsenal which includes weapons (gun,
knife), physical beatings and verbal threats. His loyalty is only to money, and he wears his
lack of conscience like it was skin. His only virtue is that he honest about what he is–selfish.
Marcus’ sinister character is balanced by a host of players with their own faults (thieving
twins, uninvolved parents and untruthful friends). Uncle George (Mykelti Williamson of
Forrest Gump fame) provides humor as well as sage advice. Parent and mogul John Garrett
(Keith Davis) is a good example of an adult coping with his past.
This well- balanced cast of young newcomers and seasoned actors demonstrate various
perils of human nature: greed, lust, pride, anger and an unforgiving nature. More poignantly,
ATL reminds me of the Parable of Talents (Matt. 25:14-30). Ant was like the servant who
wasted his time and didn’t use his talents to the fullest; he didn’t invest it so it could grow.
Many people are impatient and not obedient to God; looking for a short cut. Maybe a real-life
Marcus could be convicted and converted, and use his gift of persuasion to encourage
someone to live a Christ-centered life.
ATL tries a little too hard to portray all the bandits of urban culture. The attractive element
about this feature though is that it highlights young people with friends, having fun and
making real-life decisions. This movie has a lot of warmth. It embraces the concept of
honoring parents by showing the consequences of faulty decisions. However, the use of
profanity and vulgarity, limits a segment of people from truly enjoying the cinematic
experience of this True American Tale.
Violence: Moderate / Profanity: Heavy / Sex/Nudity: Heavy
2.5 of 4 Stars
Rated: PG-13 (Sexual Reference, Language and Violence)
Featuring: Mykelti Williamson, Antwan “Big Boi” Patton, Albert Daniels, Jackie Long, Evan
Ross
Director: Chris Robinson
Producer: Dallas Austin, Jody Gerson, James Lassiter
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Guest Reviewer: Sharon Cawthorne
ATL: The New American Story, opens loud with a hip-hop track in the background while we’
re introduced to the story’s ensemble of family and friends all living in the Mechanicsville
area of Atlanta. In Atlanta, better known as ATL, a custom grill describes gold-capped teeth
and spinners bling-bling from roller skate wheels as well as from souped up cars. Although
the movie is set in a neighborhood, it manages to explore universal themes of race, class,
caste and gender.
This tale is narrated by 17 year-old, high school senior, Rashad (played by rap artist Tip “T.
I.” Harris). By combining comedic scenes and drama, we are introduced to his four friends
and their family situations. Demur, blue-collar, Rashad hides his dreams in an artist’s
notepad and revels in his parental role to his younger brother, Ant (Evan Ross). Rashad’s
straight-man nature is offset, by high-energy roller skating, where he and his friends are
driven to compete for a coveted award at the Cascades roller rink. This competition keeps
them together as friends and serves as a diversion as they plan for their transition from high
school to young adulthood.
ATL portrays the grit of urban life with several scenes involving drug deals on school
grounds, tightly-clad clothing, fondling, and profanity. There are also references made to
being a “pimp.” The N-word is used in conversations as well as in the music. Women are
objects of crude fascination, as several close-ups, including the trailer, focus on various
parts of female anatomy. Rashad and his love interest New New (Lauren London) have a
bedroom scene, as lights magically go out. In the same evening, Ant (a teenager)
experiences his first sexual interlude in the backseat of a car. There are several scenes of
violence involving Ant’s drug dealing mentor Marcus (Antwan Andre Patton, Outkast’s Big
Boi).
Marcus, who has the appeal of the serpent, has an arsenal which includes weapons (gun,
knife), physical beatings and verbal threats. His loyalty is only to money, and he wears his
lack of conscience like it was skin. His only virtue is that he honest about what he is–selfish.
Marcus’ sinister character is balanced by a host of players with their own faults (thieving
twins, uninvolved parents and untruthful friends). Uncle George (Mykelti Williamson of
Forrest Gump fame) provides humor as well as sage advice. Parent and mogul John Garrett
(Keith Davis) is a good example of an adult coping with his past.
This well- balanced cast of young newcomers and seasoned actors demonstrate various
perils of human nature: greed, lust, pride, anger and an unforgiving nature. More poignantly,
ATL reminds me of the Parable of Talents (Matt. 25:14-30). Ant was like the servant who
wasted his time and didn’t use his talents to the fullest; he didn’t invest it so it could grow.
Many people are impatient and not obedient to God; looking for a short cut. Maybe a real-life
Marcus could be convicted and converted, and use his gift of persuasion to encourage
someone to live a Christ-centered life.
ATL tries a little too hard to portray all the bandits of urban culture. The attractive element
about this feature though is that it highlights young people with friends, having fun and
making real-life decisions. This movie has a lot of warmth. It embraces the concept of
honoring parents by showing the consequences of faulty decisions. However, the use of
profanity and vulgarity, limits a segment of people from truly enjoying the cinematic
experience of this True American Tale.
Violence: Moderate / Profanity: Heavy / Sex/Nudity: Heavy
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