Anne B. Real

Some movies are bad in their lack of production values, the terrible writing or the poor quality of the actors.  Some movies are able to turn this into an advantage, but Anne B. Real isn't one of those movies.

If I had to compare this movie to something it would be spam.  Spam tries so hard to be ham, however, what you are inevitably stuck with is just processed mystery meat in a vacuum-sealed can.  No one is happy with spam and they can only stomach it for so long. 

I was unable to stomach all 90 minutes of Anne B. Real and I was only able to make it through the first 20 minutes. 

The movie focuses on the story of Cynthia who has had a rough life growing up in New York.  Cynthia raps by the name of Anne B. Real after being inspired by the story of Anne Frank.

Everything about the movie is trying hard to be a prestigious movie worthy of awards-show buzz.  The thing is, is that nothing in this movie is particularly good.  Every time the camera focuses on Cynthia's face the same sullen expression is present to remind viewers of Cynthia's situation.  I swear I saw that expression at least once every scene.   

What is Cynthia's situation?  She's stuck living in a small apartment with her mom, sister, her sister's child and her crack addicted brother.  Also she feels she isn't pretty enough to garner the romantic attention of a boy in her class.  All of this naturally brings Cynthia to become inspired by the story of Anne Frank who's problems mirrored her own. 

The fact that Anne B. Real is full of stereotypes doesn't help it's credibility.  One of Cynthia's Latino cohorts utters this wonderful line of gibberish after hearing Cynthia rap: "I like that.  Why you stop for."  Further stereotypes in Anne B. Real: Cynthia's crush is a drug dealer, a Latino classmate wears fake nails and a weave and it seems that Cynthia is the only person in the movie who knows how to read.  Sure it lacks all of the subtleties and nuances of some scripts today, but blatant racism is so much more appealing in a movie.

I understand that the movie may be trying to give a real portrayal of a teen struggling on the streets, but there's no way to differentiate between this movie and all of the other movies about the struggles of intercity teens.  And frankly, this movie is just really boring.

I'll stoop to the movie's low for my final thoughts on this movie.  Anne B. Real, you be trippin'.