Drumline (2002)

A band director recruits a Harlem street drummer to play at a Southern university.

Director:

Charles Stone III

Writers:

Shawn Schepps (story), Tina Gordon (screenplay) (as Tina Gordon Chism)

Stars:

Nick Cannon, Zoe Saldana, Orlando Jones

13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nick Cannon	...	Devon Miles
Zoe Saldana	...	Laila (as Zoë Saldana)
Orlando Jones	...	Dr. Lee
Leonard Roberts	...	Sean Taylor
GQ	...	Jayson
Jason Weaver	...	Ernest
Earl Poitier	...	Charles (as Earl C. Poitier)
Candace Carey	...	Diedre
Shay Roundtree	...	Big Rob
Miguel A. Gaetan	...	Trey
J. Anthony Brown	...	Mr. Wade
Afemo Omilami	...	President Wagner
Angela Elayne Gibbs	...	Dorothy Miles (as Angela E. Gibbs)
Tyreese Burnett	...	Henry
Brandon Hirsch	...	Buck Wild

Storyline

A fish-out-of-water comedy about a talented street drummer from Harlem who enrolls in a Southern university, expecting to lead its marching band's drumline to victory. He initially flounders in his new world, before realizing that it takes more than talent to reach the top.

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Plot Keywords:

drummer | university | drumline | fish out of water | marching band | 

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Taglines:

Half time is game time

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for innuendo and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The fraternity featured throughout the film is Kappa Kappa Psi, the national honorary band fraternity. The actual Kappa Kappa Psi flag, colors, and symbols, and customary shouts and chants are used in the film. Symbols and letters for their sister organization, Tau Beta Sigma, the national honorary band sorority, can also be seen throughout the film.

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Goofs

The stadium lights during the finale are shown turning on and rapidly back on again. Stadium lights are gas discharge lamps, and cannot be turned off and on again without a significant warm-up period.

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Quotes

Dr. Lee: It's showtime!

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Crazy Credits

As the MBU band plays one more time over the credits, the names for each principal actor appear on the screen (and exit) in patterns resembling marching formations, such as spinning into frame and then out again like a drumline.

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Connections

Spoofed in The Comebacks (2007)

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Soundtracks

Waiting for Tonight
Written by Maria Christensen, Michael Garvin and Phillip Temple (as Phil Temple)
Performed by Clark Atlantic University Marching Band

User Reviews

Spectacular and colorful movie about a drummer boy , including magnificent musical numbers

The picture results to be a dramedy concerning a rebel drummer young (Nick Cannon) who is admitted in Georgia Academy to take part at an important band. But his rebellious temper causes frictions with orchestra director (Orlando Jones) and the band members . Meanwhile , he falls in love with a cheerleader (Zoe Saldana).

In the film there's a varied procession of characters , the habitual group of misfit roles ,including the only white boy among different color young people , or the sole girl among all men . The story is narrated with great sense of ductility and intelligence and it has its good moments here and there .It's an enjoyable movie, but uneven comedy , it works better when the drummers go into the action. The motion picture has comedy , a love story , giggles , drama , and breathtaking musical spectacle with groundbreaking choreographic set-pieces. Before the spectacular final meeting on the stadium , they contend with each other , but finally learn the meaning of life , and , ultimately , come to respect each other . The film climax is the spellbound and gorgeous final duel on the furlong where both bands confront to achieve the winner prize . Zoe Saldana is attractive and enticing , ready as a future star in "guess who¨ , the newcomer Nick Cannon as the roguish and cocky young gives a first-rate interpretation . Orlando Jones as the tough director is excellent , his acting is likeness to the stiff-upper-lip sergeant Louis Gosset J.R. in ¨Officer and Gentleman ¨ . Big budget production features an impeccable musical score by John Powell. The movie was well directed by Charles Stone . Rating : Above average . Worthwhile seeing for its extraordinary musical choreography .

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 December 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Drumline

Filming Locations:

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,604,705, 15 December 2002

Gross USA:

$56,399,184

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$57,588,485

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox 2000 Pictures, Wendy Finerman Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1