The movie ATL is not unique. It's a buddy flick. It's a coming-of-age flick. It's a learning-right-from-wrong flick. It's a doing-right-and-making-mistakes film. It's a comedy, and it's a drama. You've seen this movie before.
ATL is a lot of other things, too. It's a stage for an impressive cast of black actors, including several rappers and musicians. It's an ode to a certain Atlanta neighborhood. It's a window into a certain way of life and its opposite lifestyle. It's "a new American story," as its tagline declares. And it's a source of little wisdoms apt for everyday use.
Let me be clear, I'm not talking about the big, obvious lessons of the film. Do Rashad and his friends, like teens everywhere, suffer angst? Duh. Is it difficult for Uncle George and for Ms. Gayle to parent headstrong teenagers? Heck yeah. Should Ant, eager to be grown and rich, turn to "grown man business"? Obviously not.
Tune in to my next five posts to find out how the little wisdoms of this big film stick with me and will stick with you. You'll find yourself wanting to live your passion, looking back at your younger self, dancing in the mirror, looking ahead in five-week chunks, and asking yourself the big question, "What's next?"
Until then, get ATL. Watch it. Pay close attention. And keep in mind that "just 'cause your head big doesn't make you smart."
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