Drumline (2002)
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82% of critics liked it
(82 reviews) -
73% of users liked it
(304,321 ratings)
Drumline brings the world of "show-style" marching bands (popular at traditionally black, Southern colleges) to the big screen for the first time. The story, by Shawn Schepps, was inspired by the high school drumline experiences of executive producer/executive music producer Dallas Austin.… More Drumline brings the world of "show-style" marching bands (popular at traditionally black, Southern colleges) to the big screen for the first time. The story, by Shawn Schepps, was inspired by the high school drumline experiences of executive producer/executive music producer Dallas Austin. Devon (Nick Cannon of Nickelodeon's The Nick Cannon Show) is a Harlem drummer who earns a full scholarship to the fictional Atlanta A&T University. There, his talent gets the attention of the school's embattled musical director, Dr. Lee (Orlando Jones), who puts his students' education and appreciation for musical tradition ahead of the marching band's popularity. Devon's brashly egotistical attitude doesn't endear him to Lee, whose slogan for the band is "One band, one sound," or to the drumline's disciplined captain, Sean (Leonard Roberts, late of TV's Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Devon has more success with the dance captain of the marching band, Laila (Zoe Saldana, who played a ballet dancer in Center Stage), a Southern belle who's won over by Devon's confidence. Sean feels threatened by Devon's talent, and his attitude, so when he learns that Devon can't read music, he uses the information to his advantage. With the band facing their archrival at a huge marching band competition, Dr. Lee has to decide whether to allow the brilliant drummer to perform, despite his attitude. Devon has to prove that he can show his skills while still being part of the team. Drumline was directed by Charles Stone III (Paid in Full), and features cameo appearances by musical artists Blu Cantrell and Petey Pablo. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi
- Directed By
- Charles Stone III, Charles Stone
- Written By
- Reginald Blythewood, Tina Gordon Chism, Shawn Schepps
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- Dec 13, 2002 Wide
- Studio
- 20th Century Fox
Critic Reviews
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Charles Taylor, Salon.com
Charles Stone III is a craftsman with brains and taste, an instinctive sense of where to put the camera and the discipline not to belabor scenes.
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Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
A superlative B movie -- funny, sexy, and rousing.
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James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Offers little that's surprising or groundbreaking, but, because the script is smart enough not to insult us and to develop a group of interesting characters, the act of watching the film is an entertaining experience rather than a tedious exercise.
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Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
I love that we get into this world of marching bands. We barely see any football players -- we see the top of their helmets as they're getting out of the way.
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Joe Leydon, Variety
[Has] an abundance of heart and humor.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Nick Cannon
as Devon Miles
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Zoe Saldana
as Laila
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Orlando Jones
as Dr. Lee
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Leonard Roberts
as Sean Taylor
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GQ
as Jayson
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Jason Weaver
as Ernest
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Earl C. Poitier
as Charles
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Candace Carey
as Diedre
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Shay Roundtree
as Big Rob
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Miguel A. Gaetan
as Trey
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J. Anthony Brown
as Mr. Wade
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Afemo Omilami
as President Wagner
- Petey Pablo
- Angela Gibbs
- Earl Poitier
- Miguel Gaetan
- Omar J. Dorsey
