Notorious Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A chubby kid from Brooklyn becomes a rap superstar, makes questionable life choices, and then gets shot…roll credits.

🍿 Notorious: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Early Life and Hustle

The film opens with Christopher Wallace, later known as The Notorious B.I.G., living in Brooklyn, New York, during the 1980s. Raised by his single mother, Voletta, Biggie excels in school but is drawn to the allure of the streets, engaging in drug dealing to make money. As a teenager, Biggie’s involvement in hustling deepens, leading to conflicts with his mother who disapproves of his lifestyle. He begins to hone his rap skills, winning local competitions and attracting attention for his lyrical talent.

Rise to Fame

Biggie’s talent catches the eye of Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs, an ambitious producer at Uptown Records. Puffy sees Biggie’s potential and promises him a path to stardom. Biggie signs with Uptown, but Puffy is soon fired, leading him to start his own label, Bad Boy Records. Biggie becomes Bad Boy’s flagship artist, recording his debut album, ‘Ready to Die.’ The album is a critical and commercial success, catapulting Biggie to national fame and solidifying his place in hip-hop history with hits like “Juicy.”

Relationships and Rivalries

As Biggie’s star rises, his personal life becomes complicated. He marries singer Faith Evans, but their relationship is strained by infidelity and the demands of fame. He also maintains a close but tumultuous relationship with Lil’ Kim, another rising rapper. Meanwhile, tensions escalate between the East Coast and West Coast hip-hop scenes. A friendship with Tupac Shakur turns into a bitter rivalry after Tupac is shot in New York and accuses Biggie and Puffy of involvement. This fuels the East Coast-West Coast hip-hop war.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Christopher ‘Biggie’ Wallace (Jamal Woolard): A talented Brooklyn street hustler who transforms into the iconic rapper, The Notorious B.I.G., achieving meteoric fame.
• Voletta Wallace (Angela Bassett): Biggie’s strong and supportive mother who guides him through his tumultuous life.
• Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs (Derek Luke): An ambitious producer and founder of Bad Boy Records, who mentors Biggie and helps him achieve stardom.
• Tupac Shakur (Anthony Mackie): A charismatic West Coast rapper whose friendship with Biggie deteriorates, fueling the East Coast-West Coast rivalry.
• Lil’ Kim (Naturi Naughton): A female rapper who rises to fame alongside Biggie and becomes involved in a complicated romantic relationship with him.
• Faith Evans (Antonique Smith): A talented singer and Biggie’s wife, whose relationship is tested by his infidelity and the pressures of fame.
• Damion (Dennis L.A. White): Biggie’s friend who took the fall for him.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Sean Combs: “We can’t change the world unless we change ourselves.” – Puffy says this to Biggie, reflecting his belief that personal transformation is key to making a broader impact.
• Biggie: “It was all a dream, I used to read Word Up magazine.” – The opening lines of ‘Juicy’, encapsulating Biggie’s rise from humble beginnings to fame.
• Voletta Wallace: “I didn’t raise you to be no gangster.” – Voletta expresses her disappointment and concern over Biggie’s involvement in street life and drug dealing.
• Tupac Shakur: “Thug Life!” – Tupac’s mantra that becomes symbolic of the East Coast-West Coast rivalry and the lifestyle they both represented.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $36,843,682
• Worldwide Gross: $44,420,671

💥 Notorious Reviews

Personal Review

As a long-time Biggie fan, I went in with high expectations, and while it wasn’t a perfect film, it moved me. Seeing his life unfold on screen, from his struggles in Brooklyn to his rise to fame, was powerful. The soundtrack alone is worth the price of admission. Jamal Woolard captured Biggie’s essence perfectly. The ending really hit hard, a reminder of a life cut short way too soon.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of The Notorious B.I.G.”
  • “Hip-hop enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers interested in biographical dramas”
  • “Those who enjoy music-related films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Violence”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Female Frontal Nudity”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “While ‘Notorious’ hits the expected biopic beats, Jamal Woolard’s compelling performance captures the charisma and complexity of Biggie, making it a worthwhile watch for fans, despite its surface-level exploration of the East Coast/West Coast rivalry.
• Rolling Stone: “This film isn’t perfect, however, it offers a glimpse into the life of one of rap’s most iconic figures. Woolard nails the role, providing a performance that is both authentic and charismatic, giving fans an intimate look into Biggie’s world and the struggles he faced.

Audience Reactions

Jamal Woolard’s performance was spot-on!: Authentic portrayal of B.I.G., great soundtrack, and a touching tribute.

Overall Consensus: A respectful, though somewhat sanitized, portrayal of The Notorious B.I.G.’s life, elevated by strong performances and a killer soundtrack.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Christopher Jordan Wallace, who plays young Biggie, is actually the real-life son of The Notorious B.I.G. and Faith Evans.”
• “Jamal Woolard, who played Biggie, was relatively unknown before this film, giving a raw and authentic feel to the character.”
• “Many of the filming locations were in the actual Brooklyn neighborhoods where Biggie grew up, adding to the film’s realism.”
• “The unrated version includes an opening sequence involving the ‘Impala SS’ killer, adding more context to the circumstances surrounding Biggie’s death.”

🖥️ How to Watch Notorious?

Notorious is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for cable availability. Physical copies on Blu-ray and DVD can also be purchased from major retailers like Amazon and Walmart.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Notorious, you might like these similar films:

• 8 Mile (2002): A direct comparison, showcasing a rapper’s struggle to rise from poverty through talent and determination in a hostile environment.
• Straight Outta Compton (2015): Another biographical drama about a rap group’s rise to fame and the challenges they face, highlighting the social and political context of their music.
• All Eyez on Me (2017): Biography of Tupac Shakur, portraying his life and the events surrounding the East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry. Complementary to Notorious, providing the other side of the story.

🛒 Notorious Related Products

• The Notorious B.I.G. – Ready to Die (Vinyl): Own a piece of hip-hop history with this classic album on vinyl. A must-have for any true B.I.G. fan.
• Notorious B.I.G. T-Shirt – Crown Logo: Show your love for the King of New York with this classic logo tee. A comfortable and stylish way to rep your favorite rapper.
• Life After Death (25th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition) (8LP): Commemorating the 25th anniversary of the hip-hop classic, this release features the original album and tons of unheard music.
• The Notorious B.I.G. – Greatest Hits: Get all the hits from the movie on one album and listen everywhere. A great way to discover and enjoy a true hip-hop legend.

🎧 Soundtrack

Notorious features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Juicy” – performed by The Notorious B.I.G.
• “Hypnotize” – performed by The Notorious B.I.G.
• “Big Poppa” – performed by The Notorious B.I.G.
• “One More Chance” – performed by The Notorious B.I.G.

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Notorious B.I.G.’s death on video

Ever wondered how the movie portrayed Biggie’s final moments? This scene is intense and really sticks with you – definitely worth a watch to see how they handled such a sensitive subject.

notorious b.i.g. (2009) | biggie smalls outsmarts teacher | #edit #biggiesmalls #notoriousbig

Want to see Biggie dropping knowledge bombs even as a kid? This scene is hilarious and shows how clever he was – it’s a fun little clip to get a better sense of his personality!

Notorious – Rap battle – Biggie Smalls (Jamal Woolard) vs Primo

Curious about Biggie’s skills before he hit the big time? This rap battle scene is fire and really shows what made him stand out – check it out!

✨ Rate