Review: Get Rich Or Die Tryin' (B-)

Get Rich Or Die Tryin (2005)
Directed by Jim Sheridan
Starring 50 Cent, Terrance Howard
Grade: B-

Review by Scott Standish

The knock on Get Rich Or Die Tryin' has been that it's a ripoff of Eminem's Eight Mile. Well, I haven't seen Eight Mile, so I can't really comment on that. What I can say is that Get Rich or Die Tryin' is completely watchable, fairly entertaining, and at times, downright riveting. In other words, this one snuck up on me.

Get Rich or Die Trying certainly belongs in the "Rock & Roll Biopic" genre, alongside films such as The Buddy Holly Story, La Bamba and yes, Eight Mile. I can't say that it is as good as them, but if you are a fan of that genre, you will probably enjoy Get Rich. It's your typical "young man makes good" story and it has a ring of truth to it. Director Jim Sheridan wisely doesn't turn this into an explotation of 50 Cent's music, and the film treats it's subject with compassion and the right amount of detachment.

50 Cent is probably not going to become a hugh movie star after this role - he just isn't that impressive here. However, he also isn't Madonna. He can act. He doesn't have a wide range of emotions on screen, though, and I kept wondering what it would have been like with another actor in his role. The incredible Terrance Howard (Hustle & Flow, Crash) does a more than capable job of backing 50 Cent up.

You won't see Get Rich Or Die Tryin' show up with Oscar nominations this year. But, by the end of Get Rich, you might just find yourself rooting for the rapper to get his shot at fame. Definitely rental worthy.