Biggie and Tupac (2002)

81% of critics liked it
(47 reviews)
78% of users liked it
(7,359 ratings)

Nick Broomfield, director of Heidi Fleiss: Hollywood Madam and Kurt and Courtney, unleashes another provocation with Biggie and Tupac. Considering Broomfield's track record, that the film is dangerous, sensational, and occasionally very funny is no surprise. What is somewhat shocking, in a very… More Nick Broomfield, director of Heidi Fleiss: Hollywood Madam and Kurt and Courtney, unleashes another provocation with Biggie and Tupac. Considering Broomfield's track record, that the film is dangerous, sensational, and occasionally very funny is no surprise. What is somewhat shocking, in a very rewarding and commendable way, is how moving Biggie and Tupac is. Using archival footage of the two rap stars and interviews with many of those involved, Broomfield uncovers significant evidence that corrupt LAPD cops were involved in the two deaths, and that the FBI was doing surveillance on Biggie (Christopher Wallace) on the night he was murdered. Broomfield's film also strongly suggests that Death Row Records head Suge Knight orchestrated both murders. Few satisfactory conclusions are drawn, but the film should at least encourage further investigation of these claims. By running the camera constantly, even before the interviews begin, Broomfield frequently catches his subjects off guard. But even if Broomfield had uncovered nothing, Biggie and Tupac would still be an entertaining and valuable telling of the tragic deaths of two talented young men. The filmmaker's interviews with Biggie's friends, and particularly his charming mother, Voletta Wallace, paint a picture of a surprisingly sensitive and goodhearted young man. Broomfield was granted less access to Tupac Shakur's family (Tupac's mother is still involved in business dealings with Knight; she doesn't appear in the film and she refused Broomfield permission to use Tupac's music), but he still manages to expose the controversial rapper's essential humanity. Some will find Broomfield's sarcastic and edgy attitude grating. He doesn't have the puppy-dog charm of a Michael Moore. But with Biggie and Tupac, he's shown a bit more of his sensitive side, and he's taken a step forward as a filmmaker. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Nick Broomfield
Genres: Documentary, Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Special Interest

In Theaters: Jan 11, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Apr 29, 2003
Studio: Channel 4 Television

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Compulsively watchable and endlessly inventive as it transforms Broomfield's limited materials into a compelling argument.
John Petrakis, Chicago Tribune
You don't need to know your Ice-T's from your Cool-J's to realize that as far as these shootings are concerned, something is rotten in the state of California.
Alona Wartofsky, Washington Post
Broomfield's style of journalism is hardly journalism at all, and even those with an avid interest in the subject will grow impatient.
Richard Harrington, Washington Post
Most of the information has already appeared in one forum or another and, no matter how Broomfield dresses it up, it tends to speculation, conspiracy theories or, at best, circumstantial evidence.
Manohla Dargis, Los Angeles Times
Bristles with the sort of passion and bold purpose so often lacking in contemporary nonfiction filmmaking.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
It's like a rap Rashomon. There's a million different stories here.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
An engrossing and rather suspenseful mystery investigation.
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness
Short on concrete evidence but long on compelling insinuation.
Jamie Gillies, Apollo Guide
Unfortunately, the commentary does not answer many of the questions left unclear in the feature.
Jamie Gillies, Apollo Guide
The problem with Nick Broomfield's documentaries is, well, Nick Broomfield.
Mike McGranaghan, Aisle Seat
Whether you like rap music or loathe it, you can't deny either the tragic loss of two young men in the prime of their talent or the power of this movie.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
Broomfield doesn't bring us any closer to solving the murders of Biggie and Tupac but he does lend frightening credence to the possibility of a conspiracy of epic proportions.
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press
Weirdly, Broomfield has compelling new material but he doesn't unveil it until the end, after endless scenes of him wheedling reluctant witnesses and pointing his camera through the smeared windshield of his rental car.
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
Broomfield fashions himself a crusading hero, and it's likely that enthusiasm that helps him do his job, but it's the director's self-love that robs the film of some integrity.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Sophie B

It was really interesting learning about these two people and how their relationship turned from good to bad. It was quite confusing following all the peoples names as I know very little about these two. I liked learning about their early lives and their talent and found it very… More
It was really interesting learning about these two people and how their relationship turned from good to bad. It was quite confusing following all the peoples names as I know very little about these two. I liked learning about their early lives and their talent and found it very interesting seeing them go into the prison to talk to Suge Knight. A good explorative documentary.
Remi L

From the same documentarian that brought you Heidi Fleiss: Hollywood Madam and Kurt & Courtney, comes our favorite conspiracy theorist with some interesting theories and oft-repeated questions about the murders of famous rappers Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. Though… More
From the same documentarian that brought you Heidi Fleiss: Hollywood Madam and Kurt & Courtney, comes our favorite conspiracy theorist with some interesting theories and oft-repeated questions about the murders of famous rappers Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. Though Broomfield's films definitely have a low quality feel to them, the man also presses issues and asks the uncomfortable questions most people would be afraid to ask if they actually got to face the people who could give them those answers. This man travels into Biggie's and Tupac's childhood neighborhoods with no protection to ask their friends what they were like, what their opinions of the murders were, and even goes to prison to visit Suge Knight himself. Knight even references the Heidi Fleiss documentary, demanding that he not be made a fool like she was. Broomfield brings up an interesting theory: was Tupac murdered by his father figure Suge Knight because he wanted to leave Death Row Records? And did Knight have Biggie murdered to make their deaths look connected? Though only a handful of people agree with/confirm his theory, Broomfield makes a VERY convincing argument that keeps you hooked and helps you overlook the grainy look of his film.