ATL (FILM)

'''ATL''' is an American movie that was released on March 31, 2006. The cast includes rapper Clifford "T.I." Harris as Rashad, Lauren London as New New, Antwan Andre Patton (also known as Big Boi of OutKast), Evan Ross, Mykelti Williamson, Jason Weaver, Jackie Long and Keith David. In its opening weekend, the film grossed a total of $12.55 million, ranking third in the United States box office, and went on to gross $23.3 million nationwide. It was released there on DVD on July 18, 2006, and came directly to DVD in Australia in September.
The film was directed by Chris Robinson with a screenplay by Tina Gordon Chism from a story by Antwone Fisher.
The plot focuses on four friends preparing for life after high school and how different challenges bring about turning points in each of their lives.
''Rotten Tomatoes'' gave it a 64% fresh critical rating, with a 63% from "Cream of the Crop" critics, and a 63% from users [1]. ''Metacritic'' gave it a score of 63/100 [2]. It received a B- on Yahoo.com and also 8/10 on IGN.com.

★ 'Tagline': ''A New American Story''

Contents

Plot

Awards & nominations

External links

Plot

Set in the inner-city neighborhood of Mechanicsville, the film is about a tightly knit group of working-class Atlanta teens who spend their time bonding over hip-hop and roller skating while pondering life after high school in director Chris Robinson's coming-of-age comedy drama that draws inspiration from the real-life childhoods of Dallas Austin and Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins (of TLC). For a kid growing up on the south side Atlanta, the Cascade roller-skating rink is the place to be seen, and it's the place where the orphaned high school senior Rashad (Tip "T.I." Harris) and his little brother Ant (Evan Ross) go every weekend to forget their financial troubles, hang with their friends and get their groove on. But outside the rink, the brothers have problems they can't avoid: Ant is being recruited into the posse of charismatic drug dealer Marcus (Antwan André "Big Boi" Patton). Meanwhile, Rashad's three best friends -- including the ambitious Esquire (Jackie Long) -- are pulling him in different directions, and his new girlfriend New-New (Lauren London) may not be as "ghetto" as she seems. Meanwhile, nobody knows about New-New's secret, not even her best friends Veda & Star (Khadijah & Maikah Haqq). As Rashad tries to hold on to his little brother, he also comes to the realization that if he's ever going to make something of himself, he's going to have to step out of his skates and into the real world.

Awards & nominations

Year	Award	Category	Recipient	Result
2007	Image Award	Outstanding Director for a Motion Picture	Chris Robinson	Nominated
	Black Reel Award	Best Screenplay, Original or Adapted	Tina Gordon Chism	Nominated
		Best Director	Chris Robinson	Nominated
2006	Black Movie Awards	Best Film	Producers: Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, Will Smith, Dallas Austin	Nominated
		Best Screenplay	Tina Gordon Chism	Nominated
		Best Director	Chris Robinson	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actress	Lauren London	Nominated

External links

★ Official site

★

★ ATL Production Notes