Product Information
This biopic from executive producer Sean 'Diddy' Combs explores the life and death of East Coast rapper Notorious B.I.G. Newcomer Jamal Woolard stars as Biggie Smalls, but big names fill out the rest of the cast: Angela Bassett plays the rapper's mother, Derek Luke co-stars as Combs, and Anthony Mackie plays rival Tupac Shakur. Bassett's real life counterpart, Voletta Wallace, acts as one of the film's producers.Product Identifiers
ProducerTrish Hofmann, Robert Teitel, Voletta Wallace, Mark Pitts, Wayne Barrow
EAN5039036041416
eBay Product ID (ePID)72510294
Product Key Features
ActorJulia Pace Mitchell, Jamal Woolard, Antonique Smith, Derek Luke, Naturi Naughton, Dennis White, Angela Bassett, Anthony Mackie
Film/TV TitleNotorious
DirectorGeorge Tillman Jr
LanguageEnglish
Run Time117 Mins
Aspect Ratio16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Release Year2009
FormatDVD
FeaturesMaking-Of\Behind the Scenes\Featurettes\Deleted Scenes, Widescreen
GenreDrama, General
Additional Product Features
Number of Discs1
Certificate15
Country/Region of ManufactureUnited States of America
ComposerDanny Elfman
Production DesignerJane Musky
Executive ProducerSean Combs
Additional InformationThe dramatic retelling of the life, remarkable rise, and violent fall of rapper Christopher Wallace (aka the Notorious B.I.G.), NOTORIOUS plays like A STAR IS BORN set to a rattling gangsta snare. With crisp direction by George Tillman Jr., producer of the BARBERSHOP series, the film is briskly paced and strikes a worthy balance between sensationalized celebrity biopic and behind-the-scenes drama. Angela Bassett anchors the latter with a nuanced performance as Voletta, WallaceÆs long-suffering single mother who attempts to shelter him from the mean streets of Bed-Stuy.<BR><BR>With deep involvement by those who knew him best--the real Voletta Wallace and Sean 'Puff Daddy' Combs (played dynamically by Derek Luke) co-produced--the film nonetheless unflinchingly portrays BiggieÆs troubled history as a teenage crack dealer, his chronic infidelity and poor fathering skills, and his own role in stoking the ludicrous coastal rivalry that claimed both his and Tupac ShakurÆs lives. NOTORIOUS delivers an impactful tribute to its subject's genius--revealing to fans and neophytes alike the microphone skills, narrative chops, and fresh vision that made Wallace one of hip-hopÆs greatest all-time MCs. Largely, this is due to the ace performance by Jamal Woolard, an amateur rapper who packed on 50 pounds to play the hulking gangsta.
ReviewsNewsweek - Managed to stun, unsettle and move, Variety - Woolard owns the movie, New York Magazine - A fascinating tale [à] Making a can't-take-your-eyes-off-him debut as Biggie, Woolard knows he has enormous shoes to fill, and he never once disappoints., The Hollywood Reporter - It has terrific performances, a powerful soundtrack and eye-catching visuals, Hollywood Reporter - It has terrific performances, a powerful soundtrack and eye-catching visuals, Chicago Sun-Times - NOTORIOUS is a good film in many ways, but its best achievement is the casting of Jamal Woolard, a rapper named Gravy, in the title role
ScreenwriterReggie Rock Bythewood, Cheo Hodari Coker
Sound sourceDolby Digital
Movie/TV TitleNotorious
Director of PhotographyMichael Grady
Consumer AdviceContains strong language, sex and sex references