REVIEW: Dope

It can be a challenge to stay up-to-date on all the latest releases while attending college in a town that doesn't have a local movie theater. While the sheer serendipity of my schedule allowed me to partake of such 2015 releases as Mad Max: Fury Road, Krampus, and Jem and the Holograms, it also caused me to miss out on such films as Spotlight, Trumbo, and Dope. Considering the latter was recently added to Netflix and I've heard nothing but positive things, I saw no excuse not to give it a watch. 103 minutes later and I'm honestly a little disappointed I missed this one during its theatrical run. Not so much because this is a picture that demands it be experienced on the big screen, but rather that Dope is a full-price ticket I would have felt damn good about paying for.

The plot focuses on a trio of geeks living in a crime-ridden neighborhood in California. Malcolm (Shameik Moore), Jib (Tony Revolori), and Diggy (Kiersey Clemons) play in a punk band and are all obsessed with 90's hip-hop culture; unfortunately for them, it's 2015. Looked down upon by society for their less-than-glamorous roots and looked down upon by their peers for attempting to rise above said roots, the three find themselves embroiled in the local drug trade after attending an ill-fated birthday party. What follows is a hilarious, yet compelling, coming-of-age story, as Malcolm attempts to remove himself from his precarious situation while still working towards attending his dream school of Harvard.

This is a plot that is carried by curveballs; whenever a situation appears to be drawing to a close, some new element is introduced that completely turns everything on its head. This is a story about the wallflowers; the unassuming dorks who never really did anything to anybody, aside from be a bit different. It's a movie that takes these types of relatable highschool archetypes and dumps them into the most progressively absurd situation possible. Whenever our protagonists express their bafflement at the way things have escalated, we're right there with them. There's a lot that this movie gets right, and paramount among those features is its relatable characterization.

That said, characters can only carry a story so far. Thankfully, the tone and setting of this tale go hand-in-hand. As intelligent and funny as the writing is, the story beats of the plot are played completely seriously; going to the police is not an option for a number of legitimate reasons and situations become a great deal more tense the second a firearm is revealed. It paints a stark portrait of a troubled environment that affects everyone within it; despite Malcolm's initial cockiness that good grades and gumption will get him out of the hood and into Harvard, he eventually learns that the cycle of life which permeates his neighborhood can be a tough one to break free of. It is, as is mentioned frequently throughout the film, "a slippery slope."

Special praise must be given to the main three cast members; while I of course enjoyed Blake Anderson showing up as a perpetually-stoned hacker, the fact that the primary trio were all played by relative unknowns helps completely immerse the viewer. Each disappears entirely into their role, ordinary kids wrapped up in an unorthodox mess. These three could be anyone living in any neighborhood; the film serves as a funny-yet-serious reminder that, while greatness can emerge from even the lowliest place, such lowly places can taint and suppress greatness. This is a coming-of-age comedy with a lot to say. There's endless mileage to be found in a story that includes teenagers, narcotics, and humor, but the fact that this film actually has a brain to match the size of its heart puts it a cut above the rest.

Dope is, overall, a hilarious, insightful, engaging, and all-around charming little movie. With a gang of feel-good, relatable protagonists, a thought-provoking message, and a superb soundtrack, this is a comedy that you can really sink your teeth into. It's the kind of movie that blurs the line between the usual black and white morality found within society, challenging our preconceived notions of what makes a smart, successful person, all while reaffirming that which we know in our heart of hearts to be good. It's an excellent time and I highly recommend it; if I can reach for the low-hanging fruit, I'd say it's pretty dope.