Biggie and Tupac (2002)
81%RT Audience Score: 73%
Awards & Nominations: 1 nomination
Biggie and Tupac is a documentary that delves into the mysterious and tragic deaths of two of the most iconic rappers in history. While some critics may argue that the film lacks concrete evidence, it is undeniable that Nick Broomfield’s unique style of journalism transforms limited materials into a compelling argument. Broomfield’s persistence in securing an interview with Suge Knight, despite his imprisonment, is a testament to his dedication to uncovering the truth. However, the film is not without its flaws, as some critics have pointed out the reliance on speculation and dubious sources. Nevertheless, Biggie and Tupac remains an engrossing and suspenseful mystery investigation that sheds light on the dark underbelly of the music industry.
Biggie and Tupac is a documentary that explores the murders of two of the most iconic rappers in history. While some critics found the film lacking in concrete evidence, others praised its compelling argument and suspenseful investigation. However, one thing everyone can agree on is that Nick Broomfield’s unique style of journalism is not for everyone. Whether you’re a fan of rap music or not, this film is worth a watch for its tragic story and the power it holds. Just don’t expect to come away with all the answers.
Production Company(ies)
Wildwood Enterprises
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Baltimore School of the Arts, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language
Year of Release
2002
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:NA
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Sep 27, 2002 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 19, 2016
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
starring Biggie Smalls, Tupac Shakur, directed by Nick Broomfield, written by Nick Broomfield, genre: documentary, box office performance: limited release, budget: unknown, reviewed by Nick Schager, Roger Ebert, John Petrakis, Alan Morrison, Alona Wartofsky, Richard Harrington, Richard Crouse, Leigh Paatsch, Michael Dequina, Emanuel Levy, Jamie Gillies, MPAA rating: R, produced by Nick Broomfield, Michele d’Acosta, unsolved murders, rappers, conspiracy theories, Suge Knight, Death Row Records, childhood neighborhoods, prison, Heidi Fleiss, Kurt & Courtney, grainy look, compelling insinuation, limited materials, compelling argument, circumstantial evidence, concrete evidence, insinuation, compelling documentary
Worldwide gross: $146,419
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $242,845
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,900
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 26,483
US/Canada gross: $94,874
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $157,354
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,586
US/Canada opening weekend: $5,728
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $9,500
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,713
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Nick Broomfield – Producer
Michele d’Acosta – Producer
Director(s)
Nick Broomfield
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
1 nomination
Academy Awards
All Critics (49) | Top Critics (20) | Fresh (39) | Rotten (10)
Short on concrete evidence but long on compelling insinuation.
May 3, 2005 | Rating: B+
Nick Schager
Lessons of Darkness
TOP CRITIC
Compulsively watchable and endlessly inventive as it transforms Broomfield’s limited materials into a compelling argument.
January 10, 2003 | Rating: 3.5/4
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
TOP CRITIC
You don’t need to know your Ice-T’s from your Cool-J’s to realize that as far as these shootings are concerned, something is rotten in the state of California.
January 9, 2003 | Rating: 3/4
John Petrakis
Chicago Tribune
TOP CRITIC
Broomfield turns his distinctive ‘blundering’ style into something that could really help clear up the case.
December 23, 2002 | Rating: 4/5
Alan Morrison
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Broomfield’s style of journalism is hardly journalism at all, and even those with an avid interest in the subject will grow impatient.
October 25, 2002
Alona Wartofsky
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
Most of the information has already appeared in one forum or another and, no matter how Broomfield dresses it up, it tends to speculation, conspiracy theories or, at best, circumstantial evidence.
October 24, 2002
Richard Harrington
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
In the film’s final third there is an interview with Suge Knight, head honcho at Death Row Records. Knight was in prison at the time, but through sheer persistence Broomfield got him on camera. You can sense the tension in the sequence.
January 31, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/5
Richard Crouse
Richard Crouse
Rife with unsupported allegations and thoroughly dubious sources, Biggie and Tupac magnifies a few molehills of truth into a mountain range of rumour, speculation and lies.
April 20, 2020 | Rating: 1/5
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)
An engrossing and rather suspenseful mystery investigation.
December 30, 2008 | Rating: 3.5/4
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com
August 8, 2005 | Rating: 3/5
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
The problem with Nick Broomfield’s documentaries is, well, Nick Broomfield.
March 1, 2004 | Rating: 66/100
Jamie Gillies
Apollo Guide
Whether you like rap music or loathe it, you can’t deny either the tragic loss of two young men in the prime of their talent or the power of this movie.
May 14, 2003 | Rating: 3.5/4
Mike McGranaghan
Aisle Seat…
Plot
Filmmaker Nick Broomfield investigates the unsolved murders of rappers Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls in this compelling documentary.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Rapper Suge Knight makes an appearance in the film and is interviewed by the filmmaker.
Nick-Broomfield.jpg
