Love Beats Rhymes (2017)

When struggling rapper Coco (Azealia Banks) enrolls in a poetry class, she thinks her rhymes will impress her teacher, Professor Dixon (Jill Scott). Instead, Dixon challenges Coco to seek ... See full summary »

Director:

RZA

Writers:

Nicole Jefferson Asher (as Nicole Asher), Nicole Jefferson Asher (as Nicole Jefferson)

Stars:

John David Washington, Common, Lorraine Toussaint

Cast

Credited cast:
John David Washington	...	Mahlik
Common	...	Coltrane
Lorraine Toussaint	...	Nichelle
Arjun Gupta	...	Naveen
Method Man	...	Ref
Lucien Laviscount	...	Derek
Hana Mae Lee	...	Julie
Jill Scott	...	Professor Dixon
Daniella De Jesús	...	Tomboyish Latina (as Daniella De Jesus)
Jeremie Harris	...	Matt
Azealia Banks	...	Coco
Craig muMs Grant	...	MuMs da Schemer
Jin Au-Yeung	...	Jin (as Jin Auyeung)
Jas Anderson	...	Thug 1
Mary Christina Brown	...	Sapphire

Storyline

When struggling rapper Coco (Azealia Banks) enrolls in a poetry class, she thinks her rhymes will impress her teacher, Professor Dixon (Jill Scott). Instead, Dixon challenges Coco to seek real meaning in her lyrics, setting her on a journey of discovery that takes her through rap clubs and poetry slams, leading her to find her true voice - and true love - in this uplifting movie costarring Lucien Laviscount.

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Plot Keywords:

poetry | college | rap | 

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Genres:

Drama | Musical

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexual material

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title of the movie do not appear till the end.

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Soundtracks

Get That Work
Written by Chief WaKil (as Mansa Wakili), Cheapshot (as Colton Fisher), Jason Rabinowitz, James Katalbas and Jaron Lamot
Performed by Icy Black
Courtesy of The Math Club

User Reviews

Formulaic plot doesn't spoil a great film

So.. any film that starts with a rap battle is an instant turn-off for me. But this is neither a story of how life is tough in the streets, or how women are strong. Like step up movies, there is quite a formulaic plot, but unlike those films, the acting is great.. natural and simple. The lead is a good actress. The poetry and rap is good, and really gives body to the film. There is a real love of the content shown by the writers and director. I thought it was touching and made me realise myself that I was missing poetry and needed to keep expression and feeling in my life. Some famous faces in there, and erm, it just seemed to fit together well in a very satisfying way. I wanted to give it an 8, but it just doesn't have the intrigue that could be created with a better storyline. If you like art and have feelings of some type, watch the film.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 December 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

It Doesn't Have to Rhyme

Company Credits

Production Co:

Codeblack Films, Lionsgate, Spoken Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1