Patti Cake$

This debut film from writer-director Geremy Jasper stars Australian actress Danielle Macdonald as the Jersey-bred Patti, aka Killer P, an ample twenty-something woman who works two go-nowhere jobs and still lives with her alcoholic train wreck of a mother (Bridget Everett), yet dreams about meeting her hero and attaining hip-hop superstardom. The film essentially sutures the story arc and milieu of 8 Mile onto the character details and chintzy dream sequences of Precious. For a generous portion of its running time, Patti Cake$ is a colorful and irresistible entertainment, driven by Macdonald’s magnetic lead performance, a likeable ensemble cast and a credible sense of place. But about halfway through, the film abandons any pretense of authenticity to become an aggressive crowd-pleaser. At least Macdonald’s Patti makes the sort of Rocky-esque underdog that rallies audience sympathy, and a strong rooting interest carries us through when the film’s integrity starts to crumble.