Roxanne Roxanne

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1:26

Roxanne Roxanne

2017

1h 38m

Biography

Drama

Music

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

28 Reviews

62%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

The most feared battle emcee in the early 1980s in Queens, New York, was a fierce teenager from the Queensbridge projects. At the age of 14, Roxanne Shanté was well on her way to becoming a hip-hop legend, as she hustled to provide for her family while defending herself from the dangers of the street.

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Critics Consensus

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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Robert Daniels

812filmreviews

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.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 27, 2018

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Richard Brody

The New Yorker

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

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Adam Graham

Detroit News

Adams is able to bring Shant to life, but "Roxanne Roxanne" is so focused on personal details that the bigger picture is rendered blurry.

Rated: C

Mar 23, 2018

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Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

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.

Rated: C

Feb 4, 2019

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A gritty but incomplete character-driven musical biopic."

Rated: C+

Feb 3, 2019

Full Review

Funmi Sunmonu

Add This To Your List

I was devastated about what a waste of phenomenal talent this movie [is]... It was basic, and it was lazy writing.

Sep 8, 2018

Full Review

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Audience Member

Una buena película con buenas actuaciones y buena música; la recomiendo.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

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Audience Member

It was OK. The character development was alright as far as Shante is concerned, but fell short on all other fronts. As for the story, it lacks energy and conviction, and only delivers on the rap battling. The more compelling elements of her story are under-developed, so the movie lacks the depth and emotional connection it really deserves. A shame really

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Audience Member

Watching this movie was like watching paint dry... more slowly than usual. :( There were soooo many parts where you're like, "OOOOH! something crazy is about to happen!!" and then... NOPE. It's a rollercoaster ride of waiting for ANYTHING EXCITING to happen. WOW... most BORING movie I think I've seen in my LIFE! AMAZING ACTING THO!!!! AMAZING ACTORRRSS!!! The other part is .. .this was supposed to be about a Rap Legend... you don't really see ANY of the amazing aspects to what she accomplished, how famous she became or ANYTHING. MY Rating? GARBAGE

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

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Audience Member

Loved this movie from beginning to end!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

Full Review

ma'ark t

An interesting insight into the early days of hip hop and her career.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Great movie chantae is the female denzel of the movie industry no doubt great acting.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

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Michael Larnell

Director

Chanté Adams

Roxanne Shanté

Mahershala Ali

Cross

Nia Long

Ms. Peggy Gooden

Jermaine Crawford

Park Jam MC

Kevin Phillips

Marley Marl

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Roxanne Roxanne: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

The most feared battle emcee in the early 1980s in Queens, New York, was a fierce teenager from the Queensbridge projects. At the age of 14, Roxanne Shanté was well on her way to becoming a hip-hop legend, as she hustled to provide for her family while defending herself from the dangers of the street.

Director: Michael Larnell
Producer: Forest Whitaker, Pharrell Williams, Mimi Valdés, Nina Yang Bongiovi
Screenwriter: Michael Larnell
Production Co: I Am Other Entertainment, Significant Productions
Genre: Biography, Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 23, 2018
Runtime: 1h 38m

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