Reviewer's Rating 3 out of 5
Biggie and Tupac (2002)
15

British documentary film maker Nick Broomfield can be relied upon for tenacity in the face of adversity. Take "Kurt and Courtney" and "Heidi Fleiss: Hollywood Madam" as recent examples, and you realise that two murders in the US rap world would certainly attract the attention of Nick's unique brand of fearless scrutiny.

Conspiracy theories abound regarding the murders of big money rap artists Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace (aka Biggie Smalls, The Notorious B.I.G.) in the late 90s.

The killings were supposedly the result of a tragic East Coast/West Coast rivalry, a friendship that soured leading to gang feuds and drive-by shooting of Tupac followed by revenge murder of Biggie Smalls.

Broomfield uncovers a more intriguing angle. One that involves FBI involvement and a vendetta instigated by Tupac's record label boss Marion 'Suge' Knight, currently serving time in prison. If Suge's involvement is to be believed, Biggie was murdered to throw others off the scent.

Nick gleans insights into the way the rap world operates, coaxes friends (particularly of Biggie's) into candid talk, leading you to believe the angle he's picked may be true even though it may not be able to be proven.

Broomfield's approach is a blunt, engaging technique, terrier-like and yet always polite. It's an approach that seems immediately at odds with a rap world desperate to close in on itself.

Nick's bravery in dangerous situations (synonymous with MacIntyre Investigates) is certainly worthy of applause as like Captain Willard in "Apocalypse Now", he goes in search of the imposing legendary god-like figure of Suge Knight, ignoring a succession of closed doors between him and Suge in his State Penitentiary Exercise Yard.

A worthwhile documentary, whether you're into rap or not, even if it may still leave you wanting more answers as the credits roll.

End Credits

Director: Nick Broomfield

Stars: Christopher Wallace, Marion Knight, Tupac Shakur, Nick Broomfield

Genre: Documentary

Length: 108 minutes

Cinema: 24 May 2002

Country: UK

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