There are two types of stories that are almost sure to attract an audience. One is an underdog story, and the other is a person or persons setting out to undermine a corporation and/or exclusive industry. With James McAvoy’s directorial debut, California Schemin’, we follow two young Scots as they scam their way into a record deal to launch their rap careers. What follows may hit the predictable beats, but the performances are nonetheless enjoyable with an upbeat soundtrack to match.
“Based on a True Lie”
It’s 2003. Gavin (Séamus McLean Ross) and Billy (Samuel Bottomley) are just two guys from Dundee, Scotland, slogging through their days in a call center along with Billy’s girlfriend Mary (Lucy Halliday) and spending their remaining waking moments freestyle rapping and putting a demo together to become the next great rap duo. One day, Gavin hears on the radio that there will be open auditions, held by Neotone Records to become the next Eminem, and he and Billy quickly board a bus to London. Devastated after being laughed out of the room, Gavin impulsively calls another record label, using an American accent, and pretends to be a California rapper visiting Europe. Shockingly, this works, and they get a meeting with the head of one label (James Corden) before sneaking onto a rap showcase in the city.
By another stroke of luck, Tessa (Rebekah Murrell), a junior staff member at Neotone, is at the show and manages to get them in the room with the head of Neotone, Anthony (McAvoy). The boys maintain their ruse, pretending to be an American duo called Silibil N’ Brains, signing a deal and getting Tessa promoted to being their rep at the same time, and they’re off to a whirlwind of recording, filming music videos, and performing. Maintaining their pseudo-Californian accents even in private, they devise a backstory and plan to reveal the truth when they get onto MTV, as a means of exposing the music industry as “bullshit” and “racist” against Scottish people. But as their lie grows bigger, along with their fame and success, are they willing to throw it all away when the time comes?
“Have you ever seen MTV, mate?”
Let’s get the obvious out of the way: This is not Kneecap. It’s not supposed to be, and the two shouldn’t be compared as such. Yes, they’re both quasi-biopics about UK-based rappers trying to make it, but in my mind that is the extent of the similarities. California Schemin’ lacks the frenetic, politically-charged energy that propels you through Kneecap’s story, but that is not to its detriment because it’s simply not that type of film. Rather, it is about two guys with a dream, who are willing to do anything to make that dream happen, but soon find themselves wondering if they’re able to endure the consequences of their actions.
McLean Ross plays Gavin with intense passion as well as shyness and insecurity. He doesn’t take to the limelight as easily as Billy, even though he started the scheme, and constantly finds himself unsure of his own success and abilities in a way that is portrayed quite convincingly. By contrast, Bottomley is effortless as a social butterfly who revels in the adoration, as well as the parties and women that come along with it. The deeper the hole they dig for themselves, the more drugs and booze they ingest, and the more intense these conflicting personalities become. Even early on, their rap performances are a highlight, with machine-gun cadences and energetic, driving beats that are always riveting. Halliday is a charming, sympathetic foil to the boys’ ambitions, attempting to ground them and remind them of their initial goal even well after things get out of hand. Murrell is also a delight as the young, hungry rep who sees the potential in their music, giving them everything she’s got, and you can’t help but root for her to succeed alongside them. Of course, McAvoy deftly portrays the gruff, intense head of the label, stealing nearly every scene he’s in.
Based on Gavin Bain’s memoir of the same name (later re-released as Straight Outta Scotland), the script is filled with all the moments you’d expect. We meet our leads, see how they perform, they hit a road block, they try again, all goes well, all falls apart, etc. Not to say that the film is as by-the-numbers as other music biopics, but there is comfort in that predictability that may entice viewers to check out the film, rather than be deterred by the perhaps-unfamiliar musicians at the center. From a technical standpoint, McAvoy shows he’s capable as a director, balancing humor and drama with the energetic rap performances. In addition to using camcorder POVs that mirror the real Bain and Boyd’s videos, he employs handheld, close-up cinematography reminiscent of the 2000s, unsteady and frantic as we dash through the scenes along with our heroes. McAvoy’s decision to play with the audio of certain scenes, whether to show the effects of drugs or the panic of a character, puts us in their mindset and adds another layer to the viewing experience.
California Schemin’: An Earnest Debut
California Schemin’ is a solid directorial debut, with underdog leads that are charismatic even when they make the wrong decisions. Those unfamiliar with the story of Silibil N’ Brains are in for a treat, as you’ll be shocked time and again at just how far unearned confidence can get you in the world, especially before we all had massive digital footprints that could be fact-checked at any given second. If you were at all curious about this film, give it a shot when it comes your way.
California Schemin’ premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2025.
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