Drumline is a movie directed by Charles Stone III that focuses in on the life of a student, Devon, who has a scholarship to play in the Atlanta A&T University marching band. This movie, created in 2002, puts immense emphasis on the importance of unity and sticking together through ups and downs. From the beginning of the movie the band director, Dr. Lee, has the band recite their concept, “one band, one sound” (Drumline), it is this mantra that the marching band defines as excellence and it is what they strive for on a daily basis. In the movie, Devon starts his college experience on a band scholarship. Upon his arrival, Devon immediately finds a girl who would be his love interest for the rest of the movie. When he gets to his first band practice, Devon has a rude awakening. His drum major as well as the band director are completely intolerant of any funny business and require the demanding expectations to be met. This is evident in the Dr. Lee’s opening speech at the first training session “Good morning to music. Good morning and welcome to Atlanta A&T University marching band training. The next two weeks will be your introduction and possibly induction into a great marching band legacy. If you are here, it's because you believe in musicianship. If you are here it's because you believe in Coltrane, Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, and the elements known as Earth, Wind, and Fire. If you are here, it's because you have a fervent, unequivocal belief in teamwork” (Drumline). Devon, a laid back, eighteen year old, was not enthused by these seemingly unrealistic expectations. Throughout the movie, Devon’s patience is tested and he is faced with the challenge of overcoming the problems that come his way. These problems are usually something that divides him from his friends, bandmates, or girlfriend. In order to resolve each of these problems, Devon had to realize that he needed to work with his peers instead of continuously butting heads with them. In one scene of the movie, the drum major confronts Devon on his independentness and calls him out on his selfishness, “You're the best, Devon! But when we're on the field, nobody hears you! They hear the band” (Drumline). This brings us to the theme of the movie. The theme of the movie Drumline is that staying together through hard times will help lead to success in your endeavors. This theme is displayed and demonstrated throughout the movie with each conflict that Devon faces with one of his peers. The movie Drumline can be thought of as a drama or a comedy. Audiences can expect scenes that have them laughing as well as intense moments that leave them captivated and wanting to know what happens next. Conventions of this movie included picture, text, cast and crew. Other conventions include music, love interests, college education and friendships. This movie was produced by Dallas Austin, Timothy M. Bourne, Wendy Finerman, Jody Gerson, and Greg Mooradian with 20th Century Fox studios. The script was written by Tina Gordon Chism and Shawn Schepps. The movie stars Nick Cannon as Devon, Zoe Saldana as Laila, and Orlando Jones as Dr. Lee. Drumline was Nick Cannon’s first large acting job. His acting as well as the rest of the cast was done well. The acting might be thought of as cliche to some people, but enjoyable for the most part. Orlando Jones’ most notable scene was his speech to the band when he was attempting to motivate everyone before their big competition. In this scene, Jones displays raw emotion and effectively communicates his message to the audience. This scene draws in the audience by appealing to their emotions and getting them to care about the wellbeing of the band. The purpose of this movie is to send a message. The movie Drumline shows the audience that the only way to succeed as a population of people is to work together. It is not to try and get ahead of others or to work for your own prosperity, it is to come together and help each other succeed. Only then do you truly succeed as a whole population. After a conflict in the movie left the members of the band with a pessimistic attitude about their chances of winning, Dr. Lee spoke to the band as a whole and told them “Honoring the past, and present at the same time. That's what our new direction is all about... bridging the gap” (Drumline). This quote is an excellent representation of the attitude set forth by this movie, the only way to win is by bridging the gap between each other and becoming one. Before the band goes out to perform at their big competition, Dr. Lee gives one last piece of wisdom and advice to the band, “Okay... the radio is off now. It's time for some real music. When you get out there today, I only want you to do one thing... and that is enjoy playing with your bandmates” (Drumline). This is the message that Drumline attempted to communicate during the whole movie. The audience that this movie was trying to reach is broad. Drumline is a movie that shows struggles that are relatable to people of many different ages and from many different backgrounds. It especially speaks to the large population of people who participate or have participated in a marching band. These people in particular know the problems that Devon had to face on a personal level as well as the stakes that were at hand when the band was playing at different events. Most people can relate to the problems that the characters faced in the movie. For instance, knowing the difference between what you should do and what society expects of you. In the movie, the dean of the university begs the band director to play popular music that young people will recognize, but the director knows that the only way to win the competition is to create a blend of music that pleases people of all ages and pays respects to more than one time period. This helps the audience learn that they do not need to go along with what everyone around them wants them to do, they can do what they truly think is right and what they believe in. - Hannah Mathew |
After a conflict in the movie left the members of the band with a pessimistic attitude about their chances of winning, Dr. Lee spoke to the band as a whole and told them “Honoring the past, and present at the same time. That's what our new direction is all about... bridging the gap” (Drumline). This quote is an excellent representation of the attitude set forth by this movie, the only way to win is by bridging the gap between each other and becoming one. Orlando Jones’ most notable scene was his speech to the band when he was attempting to motivate everyone before their big competition. In this scene, Jones displays raw emotion and effectively communicates his message to the audience. |