by Ran
Belly is nearly the inverse of critical darling Boyz N the Hood. While Boyz was the film adaptation of the lyrics and ethos of seminal west coast rap group N.W.A.'s early work, Belly is the cinematic manifestation of New York-bred rap legend Nas' music. Key scenes and characters are directly transplanted from Nas' vivid stories set to music.
The film centers on the criminal exploits of Queens-born friends Tommy and Sincere, the latter of which is appropriately enough portrayed by Nas himself (N.W.A. founding member O'Shea "Ice Cube" Jackson portrays a key role in Boyz N the Hood). Set against the backdrop of the impending new millennium, Tommy and Sincere start bad (robbing nightclub managers at gunpoint) and get worse (trafficking heroin in the Midwest).
Though the former is fully committed to a life of crime and violence, the latter yearns for a life of conscience and his ever-growing scruples eventually prompt him to quit the business and end the partnership -- though he can still be counted on to settle his friend's affairs after he's busted in connection to a very public murder. Tommy, on the other hand, seems irredeemable.
No comments:
Post a Comment