Watch Whiteboyz
- R
- 1999
- 1 hr 28 min
-
5.3 (2,055)
Whiteboyz is a 1999 coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by Marc Levin and written by Garth Belcon. The movie follows the life of three white kids from Iowa: Flip (Danny Hoch), Kyle (Mark Webber), and Trevor (Dash Mihok) who aspire to become gangsta rappers. They form a rap group called Whiteboyz and dream of making it big in the rap music industry.
Flip is the leader of the group, he decides to go to California to meet his idol, the rapper K-Rock, and persuade him to produce their first album. Kyle is the geeky member of the group, who is obsessed with hip hop and dreams of being a rapper. Trevor is the most streetwise member of the group, he grows marijuana and deals with drug dealers.
Once in California, they start making music and performing at local clubs. They soon discover that the rap world is not as glamorous as they thought it would be. They are ridiculed by other rappers for being white and are offered only minor roles in music videos. They also face racial prejudice from African Americans who see them as cultural appropriators.
Despite all these challenges, Whiteboyz are determined to make it big in the music industry. They must find a way to prove themselves as authentic rappers and gain respect from their peers.
The movie tackles issues of race, identity, and cultural appropriation. It explores how white people who appropriate black culture can be seen as disrespectful, especially in the context of rap music. The film also examines the difficulties faced by aspiring artists who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and the struggles they face to make their dreams a reality.
The performances in Whiteboyz are exceptional, especially from Danny Hoch who plays Flip. His performance captures the character's determination and drive to succeed, as well as his insecurity and vulnerability. Dash Mihok, who plays Trevor, also delivers a great performance as the streetwise member of the group. He brings authenticity to the character and portrays his experiences of growing up in poverty convincingly.
The movie also features great supporting performances from Snoop Dogg, Fat Joe, and Piper Perabo. Snoop Dogg plays K-Rock, the rapper who inspires Flip to pursue his dreams. The character is a representation of the idealized version of success in the rap world. Fat Joe plays Hector, a drug dealer who forms a loose friendship with the three kids. Piper Perabo plays Sara, a girl who Kyle has a crush on.
The cinematography in Whiteboyz is excellent, and it portrays the gritty and raw street scenes of California effectively. It also uses music effectively to create an atmosphere in the film. The rap music used in the movie is authentic and adds to the film's overall quality.
In conclusion, Whiteboyz is an entertaining and thought-provoking movie that explores issues of race, identity, and cultural appropriation. The performances are excellent, and the film's portrayal of the rap music industry is authentic. The film provides insight into the difficulties faced by aspiring artists from disadvantaged backgrounds and their struggles to make their dreams a reality. It is an excellent movie that should be watched by anyone interested in issues of race and culture.
Whiteboyz is a 1999 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3 and a MetaScore of 45.