An outcast with big dreams, finally finds her sense of belonging in the most unexpected of places—rap music.
feature image via pinterest
Patricia (Danielle MacDonald) has always struggled to fit in. She’s overweight, underemployed and struggling to help her single mum pay for a growing number of medical bills.
In her dreams, she is a rapping superstar. In reality, she can certainly bust a rhyme—, but as a white girl, in Jersey’s struggling burbs, she’s a long way from the spotlight.
Patricia’s found three unlikely allies in her quest, her ailing grandmother, her best friend and a Satanist who likes rock music. Together they cut a sample with the hope that it will finally be their ticket to bigger things.
Patti Cake$ was, for me, completely unexpected. While I struggled at first to relate to this character, by the time the film ended I was totally on her team. Once her tough exterior is stripped away, Patti becomes a warm and endearing character, whose sorrows you feel and whose hopes you share.
Every now and then a film comes along that allows you to live the life of a character from a world so different to your own. It’s part of the magic of cinema, and when that character is just an ordinary person, trying to get by the best they can, it can be a delightful and very humanising experience.
The film’s lead, Danielle MacDonald, is a young Australian actress with a big future ahead. To make us love Patti, despite all her rough edges, is no mean feat, but one she manages effortlessly.
Patti Cake$ is a quirky little film that punches well above its weight. Anyone who’s ever felt like they were different—no doubt all of us at one stage or another—will find heart from this journey, and hopefully a few laughs along the way too.
Director: Geremy Jasper
Stars: Danielle MacDonald, Bridgett Everett, Siddharth Dhananjay
Runtime: 1hr 49 mins
Release Date: September 14
Rating: M
Reviewer Rating: 3.5/5
