Watch Patti Cake$
- R
- 2017
- 1 hr 48 min
-
6.8 (10,595)
Patti Cake$ is an American drama movie that was released in 2017, directed by Geremy Jasper. It tells the story of a young woman named Patricia Dombrowski, who is also known as Killa P or Patti Cake$. She is an aspiring rapper from New Jersey who dreams of making it big in the music industry. Patti Cake$ explores the themes of friendship, determination, and the power of music to bring people together.
The movie opens with Patti (Danielle Macdonald) working as a bartender in a local dive bar. She has a troubled home life, with an alcoholic mother (Bridget Everett) and a grandmother who suffers from dementia. Her father, who had been a musician, left the family when Patti was young. Despite these challenges, Patti is determined to pursue her dream of becoming a rapper.
Patti's journey is not an easy one, as she faces rejection and ridicule from many in her community. She also struggles to find collaborators who share her vision of making innovative and authentic music. However, she eventually finds a group of like-minded misfits who share her passion for hip-hop. Her best friend Hareesh (Siddharth Dhananjay), who goes by the name Jheri, is a pharmacist by day and a music producer by night. Together with Patti's other friends, Basterd (Mamoudou Athie) and Nana (McCaul Lombardi), they form a rap group called PBNJ.
Patti Cake$ is a movie that showcases the power of music to bring people together across racial and cultural divides. Although Patti is a white woman from a working-class background, she discovers a deep connection to hip-hop as an art form. In one memorable scene, she raps her heart out in a neighborhood cypher, where she earns the respect of her fellow rappers despite her initial nervousness. This scene emphasizes the theme of music as a universal language that transcends barriers of class and ethnicity.
The movie also explores the challenges of pursuing one's dreams in the face of adversity. Patti faces numerous setbacks, including rejection from record labels and ridicule from her peers. However, she refuses to give up on her dream, even when it seems impossible. At one point, she takes a job as a caterer to raise money for her music video. This scene captures the determination that drives Patti, as well as the sacrifices she is willing to make to achieve her goals.
Another theme of the movie is the power of friendship. Patti's group of misfit friends becomes a surrogate family for her, as they share their dreams and struggles with each other. They offer each other emotional support and creative inspiration, even when the odds seem stacked against them. This portrayal of friendship highlights the importance of authentic relationships in our lives, as well as the resilience they can provide during tough times.
The performances in Patti Cake$ are exceptional, particularly that of Danielle Macdonald, who brings a raw and emotional intensity to the role of Patti. Her performance captures the complex mix of vulnerability and toughness that makes Patti such a compelling character. Bridget Everett is also excellent as Patti's mother, portraying her character's pain and regret with depth and nuance.
In conclusion, Patti Cake$ is a movie that celebrates the power of music, friendship, and determination. It is a poignant and inspiring story of a young woman's struggle to pursue her dreams, against all odds. The movie is a must-see for fans of hip-hop and anyone who has ever had a dream.
Patti Cake$ is a 2017 music movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 67.