Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2005)

17% of critics liked it
(118 reviews)
73% of users liked it
(284,449 ratings)

Hip-hop star 50 Cent makes his movie debut in this hard-edged urban drama inspired by the rapper's own life. Marcus (Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, aka 50 Cent) grew up in a tough New York neighborhood and was left to fend for himself after the death of his mother when he was a kid. Marcus fell in with a… More Hip-hop star 50 Cent makes his movie debut in this hard-edged urban drama inspired by the rapper's own life. Marcus (Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, aka 50 Cent) grew up in a tough New York neighborhood and was left to fend for himself after the death of his mother when he was a kid. Marcus fell in with a powerful crime boss (Bill Duke) who gave him an opportunity to make a good living -- by selling drugs. While Marcus has misgivings about his life of crime and has an interest in expressing himself as a rap artist, his success as a dealer makes it hard for him to get away from the life. However, when a heist goes wrong and Marcus is shot several times, he has a change of heart and decides to leave his old life behind. He begins pursuing his dream of making it in music, and with the support of his girlfriend (Joy Bryant) he begins recording a demo tape. Marcus' new songs are inspired by the gritty realities of his old life on the street, but just as it looks like he might be able to land a record deal, he discovers that some of his old business associates aren't too happy about Marcus telling folks about their actions. Get Rich or Die Tryin' was directed by Jim Sheridan, best known for his tough but atmospheric stories of life in Ireland (In The Name of the Father, My Left Foot). ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 58 min.
Directed By: Jim Sheridan
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Nov 9, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Mar 28, 2006
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Critic Reviews

Randy Cordova, Arizona Republic
50 Cent has some good moments, but other times he seems like little more than a blank slate.
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor
This thinly autobiographical gangsta odyssey never achieves liftoff, and Jackson is unconvincing.
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com
This isn't Sheridan's most complex or richest picture, but there's lots of life to it: This is an unapologetically glossy pop product, powered by a strong, old-fashioned sense of B-movie melodrama.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
Director Jim Sheridan and screenwriter Terence Winter have difficulty fashioning these events into a story that has a coherent point or purpose.
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
The film's inability to resist the lure of maximum exploitation becomes frustrating.
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer
The apparent turf war between director and screenwriter results in a compromised, confusing tale of a young man trying to mark his turf.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Sheridan's surface vividness is applied around a vacuum
Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media
Mythic story based on 50 Cent's life. Violent -- not for kids.
Ethan Alter, Film Journal International
People behind the movie will no doubt get rich, but it's a shame they didn't try harder to make a better picture.
Kam Williams, AALBC.com
50 Cent dies for our sins in disappointing screen debut.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...a distinctly tedious piece of work.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
Marcus sells dope. Marcus buys a gun. Marcus buys a microphone. Marcus goes to prison. Marcus gets shot. Marcus makes a movie about his life that no one goes to see.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Embora limitado como ator, 50 Cent tem carisma para segurar o filme, que acaba falhando não em função do rapper, mas de seu roteiro convencional que soa como pálida imitação de 8 Mile.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
A better film than "8 Mile". An impressive debut for the coin-coined music superstar.
Joe Utichi, FilmFocus
Its real danger is that it sets a precedent for the director; if the price is right he's on board.

Read all 15 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Eric A

Critics are trippin! A true come up story that is very real and very good.
Bethany M

Brilliant biography! 50 cent is at his best with this film. Love the soundtrack! A definite must see!
Lenny M

Where was G Unit in this film?
Bobby H

I didnt think that I would like this movie, but evenwith no true major actors, the movie turned out great. Lots of action, drama, and it will keep your attention the entire span of watching it. While it seems like another movie by someone who shouldnt be acting, if you give it a true… More
I didnt think that I would like this movie, but evenwith no true major actors, the movie turned out great. Lots of action, drama, and it will keep your attention the entire span of watching it. While it seems like another movie by someone who shouldnt be acting, if you give it a true chance, youll think otherwise.
Al S

What the fuck is this shit, you think they would have the decentcy to shoot him in the fucking head. Rappers dont need a motion picture made of there supposely stupid lifes. Dumb, numb and flat-out teriable. Curtis Jackson is absolutely fucking pathetic
Chris W

I really never planned on watching this, EVER. I figured it woudld suck, and be a waste of time. However, I wound of with a copy of it, which made me wanna give it a chance, then, I found out Jim Sheridan (My Left Foot, In America) directed it. I knew right then that I'd have to… More
I really never planned on watching this, EVER. I figured it woudld suck, and be a waste of time. However, I wound of with a copy of it, which made me wanna give it a chance, then, I found out Jim Sheridan (My Left Foot, In America) directed it. I knew right then that I'd have to see this, just to see how an Irishman dealt with a gangta rap story. Surprisingly, this film works, and it does so well. It's very comparable to 8 Mile, but still very much it's own movie. The acting is good all around, and there's even some scenes that are, dare I say it, almost worthy of consideration for some awards (that aren't Razzies). Give this a chance. Like me, you might just walk away surprised.
Taylor B

I should cap 50 cent for being in this.
Lady D

A semi biographical film about 50 Cent, where some of the events are based on some of his life experiences. Can a rapper act? I think he did a fairly good job, nothing outstanding, but it really wasn't the type of film for best performer, more of a realistic storyline, which… More
A semi biographical film about 50 Cent, where some of the events are based on some of his life experiences. Can a rapper act? I think he did a fairly good job, nothing outstanding, but it really wasn't the type of film for best performer, more of a realistic storyline, which was pretty interesting. I doubt very much people will watch this film, if you're not interested in Hip-hop or 50 Cent, so it may only entertain a small audience. VERDICT: A very watchable film
Lewis C

Better than I expected. 50 Cent plays a much more likeable character than he actually is.
Andy S

Firstly, just to get it out of the way, I utterly hate rap "music", so I'm probably not the best person to get an opinion on this film from. But the acting was way below par, and the film obviously hoped to rivet audiences with sex, drugs, and violence, but it fails on… More
Firstly, just to get it out of the way, I utterly hate rap "music", so I'm probably not the best person to get an opinion on this film from. But the acting was way below par, and the film obviously hoped to rivet audiences with sex, drugs, and violence, but it fails on all three. Finally, though it did clearly make a cursory attempt to sway viewers emotionally, it was unsuccessful in this respect as well.
Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]"Get Rich or Die Tryin'" starts with a semi-successful armed robbery led by Marcus(Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson). After which, he is gunned down in the middle of the street. As he faces what he expects to be the fatal shot, his life flashes… More
[font=Century Gothic]"Get Rich or Die Tryin'" starts with a semi-successful armed robbery led by Marcus(Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson). After which, he is gunned down in the middle of the street. As he faces what he expects to be the fatal shot, his life flashes before his eyes starting with...[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]...when he was a kid, his mother(Serena Reeder) paid the bills by dealing drugs and he would be left in the care of his grandparents in a crowded household. That situation would become permanent after his mother is brutally murdered. Now, having to find some way to pay for the nicer things in life, especially sneakers, he turns to dealing drugs on the street. And the identities of his mother's killer and father will elude him for years to come...[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"Get Rich or Die Tryin'" is a violent and gritty tale of the drug trade that neither glamorizes nor glorifies the gangster lifestyle. The movie makes a subtle statement against the easy money of drugs, taking into consideration the price that the larger community has to pay in return. And, of course, violence never solves anything. But the ending is contrived in trying too hard to resolve everything neatly.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]Jim Sheridan directs with verve. 50 Cent gives a charismatic performance while Terrence Howard steals the movie playing a volatile character.[/font]
Stefan P

The script is lousy, the acting is pretty bad and I couldn't identify with the characters. Even though there were some great moments I wouldn't recommend this movie.
Kevin M

Thugs are posers. I look down on those that idolize that ghetto-thug or hood-rat lifestyle. Just watch and I'll get shot by a thugged-out Asian, because every weak-minded punk takes hip hop and lives their life like a slutty rap video. Glorify this punk lifestyle, and… More
Thugs are posers. I look down on those that idolize that ghetto-thug or hood-rat lifestyle. Just watch and I'll get shot by a thugged-out Asian, because every weak-minded punk takes hip hop and lives their life like a slutty rap video. Glorify this punk lifestyle, and you're easily pleased.
Eduardo C

Jim Sheridan, what were you thinking. This film is trash, the writing is godawful and the performances are laughable at best. Its a shame such a talented director chose to helm this. I would say it is not worth even thinking about seeing, but for one fantastic scene, taking place… More
Jim Sheridan, what were you thinking. This film is trash, the writing is godawful and the performances are laughable at best. Its a shame such a talented director chose to helm this. I would say it is not worth even thinking about seeing, but for one fantastic scene, taking place in the prison showers, where in one unbroken take the entire hip-hop glorification of prison is demythified. Asll in all, not a good film by any stretch of the imagination.
Erin C

So dumb! I knew it would be, but my friend made me see it with her :P