Notoryus
Notoryus

Movie spotlight

Notoryus

1998
Movie
87 min
Tagalog

Toryo Liwanag is a born trouble maker. He sees no difference between being in jail and out of it saying that once he gets out he is basically only in a different much larger enclosure. A cage of crime and poverty. One day he meets Liway, a PUP colegiala looking to interview and put into study the behavior of troublemakers, the likes of Toryo. He is released from prison. But trouble seems to have a crush on Toryo.

Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes57%
Google Users71%
Director: Antoine FuquaGenres: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

The film chronicles the life of a young man named Julius, who is trying to escape a life of crime and gang violence after his older brother is killed. He struggles with loyalty to his friends and the lure of the streets while trying to make a better life for himself and his mother. His path is fraught with danger as he navigates the treacherous world he's desperate to leave behind.

Critical Reception

Notorious received a mixed to positive reception from critics. While some praised its gritty portrayal of urban life and the performances of its cast, particularly Taye Diggs, others found the plot predictable and derivative of other crime dramas. Audience reactions were generally favorable, appreciating the film's realistic depiction of the challenges faced by young men in inner-city environments.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its authentic portrayal of street life and Taye Diggs' compelling performance.

  • Criticized for its familiar storyline and occasional pacing issues.

  • Seen as a solid, albeit unoriginal, entry in the urban crime drama genre.

Google audience: Google users generally appreciated the film's authentic feel and the strong central performance. Many found it to be an engaging and thought-provoking look at the struggles of inner-city youth, though some felt it tread familiar ground thematically.

Fun Fact

The film marked the feature film debut of director Antoine Fuqua, who would later go on to direct successful films like 'Training Day' and 'The Equalizer'.

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