The unlikely hip-hop hoax behind California Schemin’

James McAvoy seems to be the latest name making the switch from actor to director with his feature directorial debut California Schemin’. McAvoy takes on the music biopic genre with a Cinderella story that doesn’t focus on one of our most beloved or most famous musicians but instead tells a tale of two friends way in over their heads. California Schemin’ showcases the true story of Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd, who were just two wannabe rappers in Dundee when they hatched the plan to become the next stars of hip hop. The film shows how Gavin and Billy transformed into Silibil N’ Brains, a fake rap duo hailing not from Scotland but from LA. McAvoy uses this lesser-known story to examine the trials and tribulations of the music industry while also promoting a sense of Scottish pride.

The film stars two rising Scottish talents in Séamus McLean Ross and Samuel Bottomley who are as effective in portraying the charming friendship of the pair as they are in highlighting the struggles they face. Both McLean Ross and Bottomley are practically asked to multi-role within the film as they portray the ambitious Gavin and Billy while also transforming into their alter egos as Silibil and Brains, in which they are ‘upgraded’ with colourful wardrobes, dodgy blond highlights and even dodgier American accents.

On an individual level, Séamus McLean Ross’s performance explores themes of mental health and the tolls fame can take on one’s individuality. At the beginning of the film there’s a nuance to his performance which elevates Gavin’s likability and adds a complexity to the tough times the young man is going through. On the other hand, Samuel Bottomley’s Billy is used as a counterbalance to the melancholy of the pair’s early situation. Bottomley performs with a charm and a humour which has us quickly rooting for the duo and works well with his co-star to provide a friendship worth supporting. As the narrative unfurls however, Gavin and Billy make decisions which are needed from a story perspective but may have some viewers turning on our unlikely heroes.

Surrounding the two leads is an ensemble which helps to complicate the pair’s journey and provide bouts of tension along the way. McAvoy himself plays the role of the stern and slightly sinister record label head while Rebekah Murrell gives a sympathetic performance as the pair’s manager. A notable standout from the cast is Lucy Halliday as Mary, Billy’s girlfriend and the pair’s constant reminder of home. Halliday performs with a sharp wit and a humanness that keeps her likeable even when Gavin and Billy are not and embodies one of the film’s central themes in Scottish pride.

McAvoy takes a page out of the book of Kneecap, creating a musical biopic that doesn’t waver in its thematic stance for the price of charm. California Schemin’ touches upon the idea of the grass not always being greener on the other side, as well as concepts of the mental health issues caused by fame and the pressure within the music industry. The film creates a story which holds a pride for its Scottish roots while still giving the edge that the nation has become associated with. McAvoy takes reference from other great Scottish cinema and even makes overt reference to Danny Boyle’s cult classic Trainspotting with a graffitied mural. In doing so, California Schemin’ echoes many of the same themes and beats of the musician biopic concept that has become popular over the last decade, placing it within a tradition of British filmmaking recognised by institutions such as the British Film Institute.

California Schemin’ is a safe and feel-good musical ride that is well handled by James McAvoy’s steady and sharp direction and a handful of charismatic performances. Fans of the musician biopic subgenre will be pleased with this outing even if it goes over some beats that audiences have come accustomed to.

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