I don't usually review "made-for-TV-movies," but this time I'll make an exception. "Surviving Compton" is a story about--and narrated by--former pop star Michel'le. It seems before her "15 minutes," she was involved with Dr. Dre, NWA, Shuge Knight, Death Row Records, and also had brief interactions with Tu Pac, MC Hammer, and anyone else who just hung around.
Hers was a life of hell. Pregnant by "I'll-do-anyone-who-stops- moving-for-too-long," Dr. Dre, then wooed, used, and abused by Suge Knight while he was in jail, I had to continually ask myself why did she stay? See, growing up in a family of women who would just as soon knock your ass off as look at you, it defies description for me to watch any kind of film where women are used as punching bags. Let's just say that I have an entirely different opinion of Dr. Dre after watching this film. It takes some kind of "man" to beat on a helpless woman, doesn't it? And the thugs he surrounded himself with were no better. Oh, you heard a lot of "that ain't right" BS, but not one would stand up and help her.
I found the film very choppy at times lacking much (if any) cohesiveness. Random scenes appeared, as did characters, and the movie jumped around quite a bit. Authenticity also has to be questioned because the NWA in this screen version came across as angels. But (and this is probably the biggest problem I had) what really got on my nerves was the voice of Michel'le. Not only did the real Michel'le narrate this, but her screen portrayal also had that same 3-year old voice that (a) you couldn't understand, and (b) made you want to turn the movie off. Honestly, as pointed out by another reviewer, the experience might have been more tolerable had subtitles been used.
The movie ends with Michel'le singing some torch song about survival, coming to terms, and acceptance. Uh...yeah. The movie is pretty tame but does have some racy moments, a little language, and drug use. I cannot really recommend it, but it is free so you may want to check it out.
Hers was a life of hell. Pregnant by "I'll-do-anyone-who-stops- moving-for-too-long," Dr. Dre, then wooed, used, and abused by Suge Knight while he was in jail, I had to continually ask myself why did she stay? See, growing up in a family of women who would just as soon knock your ass off as look at you, it defies description for me to watch any kind of film where women are used as punching bags. Let's just say that I have an entirely different opinion of Dr. Dre after watching this film. It takes some kind of "man" to beat on a helpless woman, doesn't it? And the thugs he surrounded himself with were no better. Oh, you heard a lot of "that ain't right" BS, but not one would stand up and help her.
I found the film very choppy at times lacking much (if any) cohesiveness. Random scenes appeared, as did characters, and the movie jumped around quite a bit. Authenticity also has to be questioned because the NWA in this screen version came across as angels. But (and this is probably the biggest problem I had) what really got on my nerves was the voice of Michel'le. Not only did the real Michel'le narrate this, but her screen portrayal also had that same 3-year old voice that (a) you couldn't understand, and (b) made you want to turn the movie off. Honestly, as pointed out by another reviewer, the experience might have been more tolerable had subtitles been used.
The movie ends with Michel'le singing some torch song about survival, coming to terms, and acceptance. Uh...yeah. The movie is pretty tame but does have some racy moments, a little language, and drug use. I cannot really recommend it, but it is free so you may want to check it out.