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Drumline

  • 2002
  • PG-13
  • 1h 58m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
37K
YOUR RATING
Nick Cannon and Zoe Saldaña in Drumline (2002)
Trailer
Play trailer0:34
1 Video
39 Photos
ComedyDramaMusicRomance

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

  • Director
    • Charles Stone III
  • Writers
    • Shawn Schepps
    • Tina Gordon
  • Stars
    • Nick Cannon
    • Zoe Saldaña
    • Orlando Jones
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    37K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Charles Stone III
    • Writers
      • Shawn Schepps
      • Tina Gordon
    • Stars
      • Nick Cannon
      • Zoe Saldaña
      • Orlando Jones
    • 219User reviews
    • 32Critic reviews
    • 63Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 13 nominations total

    Videos1

    Drumline
    Trailer 0:34
    Drumline

    Photos39

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    Top Cast59

    Edit
    Nick Cannon
    Nick Cannon
    • Devon Miles
    Zoe Saldaña
    Zoe Saldaña
    • Laila
    • (as Zoë Saldana)
    Orlando Jones
    Orlando Jones
    • Dr. Lee
    Leonard Roberts
    Leonard Roberts
    • Sean Taylor
    GQ
    GQ
    • Jayson
    Jason Weaver
    Jason Weaver
    • Ernest
    Earl Poitier
    • Charles
    • (as Earl C. Poitier)
    Candace Carey
    Candace Carey
    • Diedre
    Shay Roundtree
    Shay Roundtree
    • Big Rob
    Miguel A. Gaetan
    Miguel A. Gaetan
    • Trey
    J. Anthony Brown
    J. Anthony Brown
    • Mr. Wade
    Afemo Omilami
    Afemo Omilami
    • President Wagner
    Angela Elayne Gibbs
    Angela Elayne Gibbs
    • Dorothy Miles
    • (as Angela E. Gibbs)
    Tyreese Burnett
    Tyreese Burnett
    • Henry
    Brandon Hirsch
    Brandon Hirsch
    • Buck Wild
    Omar J. Dorsey
    Omar J. Dorsey
    • James
    • (as O'Mar J. Dorsey)
    Al Wiggins
    • Principal
    Nicholas B. Thomas
    • Pooh Bear
    • Director
      • Charles Stone III
    • Writers
      • Shawn Schepps
      • Tina Gordon
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews219

    6.037.4K
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    Featured reviews

    7ernesttubb

    Not bad, even refreshing

    Sure, the script could have been better -- in fact, it was downright predictable -- but in this age of godawful black-oriented shows on WB and UPN, how refreshing to see a positive portrayal of black culture that did not feature one single bug-eyed stereotype. And Orlando Jones (a guy who knows how to bug his eyes) can act! Who knew? And man, those band performances were hot! I really enjoyed it. Not a classic, but still a needed movie at a time when the bar is set way too low.
    7Stuart_C_Davis

    Black College Bands

    This movie depicts the band of a Black University very well. The only thing I think this movie is lacking is the actual experience of the life on a black college campus. Otherwise, it was all around entertaining. I commend the writers, producers, and the cast of "Drumline". It's a reminder to all those who attend a Historical known Black University.
    7ma-cortes

    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 .
    penguin805

    Nickelodeon didn't ruin Nick Cannon

    Drumline is a great movie for anybody to see. I especially like it because I am a "band nerd" but that's ok. I would like it anyway; it has it's funny parts, it's serious parts, and I am still wondering how they found so many awesome drummers, (and other musicians for that matter!)

    Because of this movie, I now have some respect for Nick Cannon as an actor. I'm glad he finally starred in a great movie for all ages, and is no longer confined to piece of crap kids sketch comedy shows on Nickelodeon, [which, by the way, SUCKS as of late (i.e. My life as a teenage robot, slimetime, ginger)]

    Overall, great movie, great job by Nick Cannon.
    7Agent10

    A fairly decent movie

    One of the few times where black youths aren't portrayed as hoods, this movie proved it moved to the beat of a different drum (yes I know, bad pun). Anyway, I was pretty surprised by how well made the film was, considering there were no well known actors in the film besides Orlando Jones. This movie isn't just for band kids, it encompasses a broad spectrum of life that is actually interesting to watch. Sure, some might have considered this movie corny, but the band sequences saved any misgivings this film might have had. Watch this movie for the heck of it, because you might actually be surprised.

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali, Janelle Monáe, André Holland, Herman Caheej McGloun, Edson Jean, Alex R. Hibbert, and Tanisha Cidel in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Prince and Apollonia Kotero in Purple Rain (1984)
    Music
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Nick Cannon did his own drumming on screen while his double, Jason Price, did majority of the close-ups with complex techniques.
    • Goofs
      The sheet music printed off is not percussion music.
    • Quotes

      Dr. Lee: What was that? Why do we rehearse? Why... do we rehearse? You're out there showboating for five minutes. If I wasn't able to signal a drum major to back you up, you'd still be out there beating your damn drum!

      Sean: Dr. Lee, sir, maybe there's an explanation. Devon...

      Dr. Lee: Do I look like I need you to explain anything right now?

      Sean: No, sir.

      Dr. Lee: I don't know what the beef is, but you better grill it up and eat it. Because it is my a** that is on the line.

      President Wagner: Now that is a new beginning. That's exactly what I'm talking about.

      [shakes Devon's hand]

      President Wagner: Great job, son. You are something. You are something special.

      Devon: Thank you, sir.

      President Wagner: Great job, all of you. Now let's see Morris Brown top that!

      [band cheers]

      President Wagner: Some alumni wanna speak with you. There they are. Don't keep them waiting. New beginning! NEW BEGINNING!

      Dr. Lee: Sean, I want you to polish the drums tonight. And I'd better be able to see myself in the surface.

      Sean: Yes sir.

      Devon: I left the polisher on the bottom shelf.

    • 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.
    • Connections
      Featured in Joe Feat. Jadakiss: I Want A Girl Like You (2002)
    • Soundtracks
      Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1
      Written by Edward Elgar

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    FAQ19

    • How long is Drumline?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 13, 2002 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ritmo total
    • Filming locations
      • Clark Atlanta University - 223 James P. Brawley Drive SW, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
    • Production companies
      • Fox 2000 Pictures
      • Wendy Finerman Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $56,399,184
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $12,604,705
      • Dec 15, 2002
    • Gross worldwide
      • $57,588,485
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 58m(118 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • DTS
      • SDDS
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1
      • 2.35 : 1

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