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Tupac Shakur, Nick Broomfield, Suge Knight, Biggie Smalls, Notorious B.I.G. ... see more see more... , Snoop Dogg

Nick Broomfield, director of Heidi Fleiss: Hollywood Madam and Kurt and Courtney, unleashes another provocation with Biggie and Tupac. Considering Broomfield's track record, that the film is dangerous... read more read more..., sensational, and occasionally very funny is no surprise. What is somewhat shocking, in a very rewarding and commendable way, is how moving Biggie and Tupac is. Using archival footage of the two rap stars and interviews with many of those involved, Broomfield uncovers significant evidence that corrupt LAPD cops were involved in the two deaths, and that the FBI was doing surveillance on Biggie (Christopher Wallace) on the night he was murdered. Broomfield's film also strongly suggests that Death Row Records head Suge Knight orchestrated both murders. Few satisfactory conclusions are drawn, but the film should at least encourage further investigation of these claims. By running the camera constantly, even before the interviews begin, Broomfield frequently catches his subjects off guard. But even if Broomfield had uncovered nothing, Biggie and Tupac would still be an entertaining and valuable telling of the tragic deaths of two talented young men. The filmmaker's interviews with Biggie's friends, and particularly his charming mother, Voletta Wallace, paint a picture of a surprisingly sensitive and goodhearted young man. Broomfield was granted less access to Tupac Shakur's family (Tupac's mother is still involved in business dealings with Knight; she doesn't appear in the film and she refused Broomfield permission to use Tupac's music), but he still manages to expose the controversial rapper's essential humanity. Some will find Broomfield's sarcastic and edgy attitude grating. He doesn't have the puppy-dog charm of a Michael Moore. But with Biggie and Tupac, he's shown a bit more of his sensitive side, and he's taken a step forward as a filmmaker. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi

Flixster Users

78% liked it

7,359 ratings

Critics

81% liked it

47 critics

R, 1 hr. 47 min.

Directed by: Nick Broomfield

Release Date: January 11, 2002

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DVD Release Date: April 29, 2003

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Stats: 276 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (276)

  • StarCrossedVoyager
    November 22, 2009
    StarCrossedVoyager
    It was really interesting learning about these two people and how their relationship turned from good to bad. It was quite confusing following all the peoples names as I know very little about these two. I liked learning about their early lives and their talent and found it very ... read moreinteresting seeing them go into the prison to talk to Suge Knight. A good explorative documentary.
  • RemiLogan
    March 16, 2011
    RemiLogan
    From the same documentarian that brought you Heidi Fleiss: Hollywood Madam and Kurt & Courtney, comes our favorite conspiracy theorist with some interesting theories and oft-repeated questions about the murders of famous rappers Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. Though Broomfield's... read more films definitely have a low quality feel to them, the man also presses issues and asks the uncomfortable questions most people would be afraid to ask if they actually got to face the people who could give them those answers. This man travels into Biggie's and Tupac's childhood neighborhoods with no protection to ask their friends what they were like, what their opinions of the murders were, and even goes to prison to visit Suge Knight himself. Knight even references the Heidi Fleiss documentary, demanding that he not be made a fool like she was.

    Broomfield brings up an interesting theory: was Tupac murdered by his father figure Suge Knight because he wanted to leave Death Row Records? And did Knight have Biggie murdered to make their deaths look connected? Though only a handful of people agree with/confirm his theory, Broomfield makes a VERY convincing argument that keeps you hooked and helps you overlook the grainy look of his film.
  • tmannamt
    May 27, 2011
    tmannamt
    You don't necessarily have to know of Tupac and Biggie or be a Hip-Hop/Rap fan to watch this, this is an interesting and serviceable watch to a film that will not give you answers but questions, different perspectives and show how important these two Rap artists were to Hip-Hop a... read morend it's unsolved case.

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Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert
January 10, 2003
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Compulsively watchable and endlessly inventive as it transforms Broomfield's limited materials into a compelling argument. Full Review

John Petrakis
January 9, 2003
John Petrakis, Chicago Tribune

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.

Alona Wartofsky
October 25, 2002
Alona Wartofsky, Washington Post

Broomfield's style of journalism is hardly journalism at all, and even those with an avid interest in the subject will grow impatient.

Richard Harrington
October 24, 2002
Richard Harrington, Washington Post

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.

Manohla Dargis
October 3, 2002
Manohla Dargis, Los Angeles Times

Bristles with the sort of passion and bold purpose so often lacking in contemporary nonfiction filmmaking. Full Review

Richard Roeper
September 30, 2002
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

It's like a rap Rashomon. There's a million different stories here. Full Review

Gene Seymour
September 27, 2002
Gene Seymour, Newsday

Nothing sticks, really, except a lingering creepiness one feels from being dragged through a sad, sordid universe of guns, drugs, avarice and damaged dreams. Full Review

Owen Gleiberman
September 27, 2002
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

[Broomfield] uncovers a story powerful enough to leave the screen sizzling with intrigue. Full Review

Lou Lumenick
September 27, 2002
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

Journalistically dubious, inept and often lethally dull.

Eric Boehlert
September 26, 2002
Eric Boehlert, Salon.com

Nick Broomfield's dishonest film Biggie and Tupac solves nothing about the rap world's most notorious murders. Full Review

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