Straight Outta Compton (2015) * * *

Directed by:  F. Gary Gray

Starring:  O'Shea Jackson Jr, Jason Mitchell, Corey Hawkins, Paul Giamatti, R. Marcus Taylor

I admit I am not the intended audience for NWA.    The rap super group was formed in the late 80's and spoke to disenfranchised African Americans living in crime-ridden neighborhoods and dealing with the horrors of drugs.     Their debut album "Straight Outta Compton" sold millions and soon in-fighting and money squabbles forced them to break up just as they were peaking.    Two of its members, Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, are still prominent in entertainment today.    Straight Outta Compton documents the groups rise and fall, but their influence is still felt today. 

The movie follows the standards of biopics, but doesn't sugarcoat things.    It tells the NWA story with raw honesty.    It comes in a bit long at 2 hours and 20 minutes and the musical performances did little for me, but I admired the performances and its sense of time and place.    The movie doesn't sanctify NWA or make them misunderstood heroes.     They survived the mean streets, but even as they grew famous and rich, they still had to survive other challenges.   

O'Shea Jackson Jr. is Ice Cube's real-life son and he gives an honest portrayal of his father.    I can not say I'm entirely familiar with the stories of Dr. Dre and Eazy-E (Mitchell), who died from AIDS-related illnesses shortly before the group was to reunite.    However, they emerge as distinct individuals.    Not as much time or focus is spent on the group's other two members, MC Ren and DJ Yella.    During the concert scenes, it is hard to say where they are on stage.  

The group was managed by Jerry Heller (Giamatti), who between this film, Love and Mercy, and Rock of Ages is making a career out of playing weasel managers.    Eazy-E is loyal to Heller long after Ice Cube and the others leave him.    They were suspicious that Heller was up to something and they weren't entirely wrong.    It takes Eazy-E a bit longer to catch up.    Giamatti is still in fine form in the role despite the fact that his storyline will end predictably.  

The film does not shy away from the group's misogynistic attitudes towards women.   Scantily clad women are everywhere, even in the parties that curiously resemble rap videos from the era.    Art imitated life.    Straight Outta Compton deals with these attitudes, and the attitude of the time, realistically and honestly.    Of all of the group's members, Dr. Dre comes across as the most sensible member who loves the music business.    He is just as comfortable behind the scenes producing as he is in front of the camera.     Also emerging on the scene is Suge Knight (Taylor), who creates his own record label and is not above using intimidation and beatings to secure his empire.    Based on his depiction in this film, it comes as little surprise that Knight found himself in and out of legal troubles over the years. 

NWA was around when I was a teenager and in my early 20's, but they made mainstream news more because of run-ins with the law and their antagonistic relationship with the police.    "Fuck Tha Police" is one of their anthems.    Yet, their full impact was lost on me because I was not part of their target audience.    I admired the film for what it was, but I still find myself on the outside looking in.    There is no denying their influence nor their place in music history, however, and we can see a whole of generation of artists thanking them for paving the way.