Listen, James McAvoy speaks to me, so when I saw California Schemin come up on the TIFF 2025 schedule, I knew I wanted to see it. His quirkiness always makes me smile, and when I heard he was directing a film about two Scottish rappers pretending to be American, I had high hopes. I expected the film to be odd and funny, and though it was, California Scheming was as much a drama about the pitfalls of fame as it was about two goofy guys from Dundee.
That is an oversimplification of the story, however. California Schemin follows two Scottish men, Gavin and Billy, as they try to get their rap careers off the ground. After an audition in London where they are essentially mocked for their dream and for being Scottish, they completely lose faith in themselves until they come up with a scheme to impersonate two guys from California, accents and all, to get a record deal and expose the industry. They succeed, but the taste of fame and fortune goes to their heads, and that is the real journey we are on. Oh, and this is a true story. Isn’t that something?
“California Schemin was as much a drama about the pitfalls of fame as it was about two goofy guys from Dundee.”
Samuel Bottomley plays Billy (Sylibil) and Seamus McLean Ross plays Gavin (Brains), the rapping duo and long-time friends. The way the film starts, I really thought it was going to be nothing more than a silly look, poking fun at the music industry. In reality, both men bring a range of emotions and compelling performances. Bottomley brings a sincerity to Billy, even throughout his ups and downs. I didn’t have faith that we would get that from him.
McLean Ross, however, was the true star. Gavin’s rise and decline are so heavy and deep, and I was genuinely shocked by what he brought to the table. The duo also had great chemistry as friends, and some real care and compassion for each other as characters. Some of that is in the writing from the real-life men and Elaine Gracie and the direction from McAvoy, but it wouldn’t have worked without the right men.
The supporting cast in California Schemin is directly involved in the rise and fall of the men. Record executives are both what tears them down and builds them up. McAvoy plays the head honcho, and though I have avoided a few of his extremely dark roles in the past, this is the fiercest I have seen him. He is commanding and frightening. I wouldn’t want him to be my boss. You can feel the fear from the guys, and it’s rightfully earned.
“McAvoy plays the head honcho, and though I have avoided a few of his extremely dark roles in the past, this is the fiercest I have seen him.”
All of that said, I still think there are some issues in the final version of California Schemin. I know it’s a true story, but it is entirely too predictable. It follows every trope you see in any other rise-to-fame story, which takes away from its overall impact. I am unaware of how much is true and how much is that Hollywood touch, but either way, it didn’t feel authentic.
Also, for a movie about rap…the music just wasn’t great. Again, this could lean into the true story, especially since we don’t know much about these guys now (sorry!), but the quality in the beginning originally had me thinking that it was a bit of a mockery. Though it gets a bit better towards the end, it is unclear if the actors just aren’t great rappers, or if the music was a bit of a drag to begin with.
In the end, California Schemin brought a serviceable story to the big screen with some excellent performances, outside of music. It’s hard to make a true story into movie magic, and though the script is extremely predictable, it was still a lot of fun on the big screen. I would probably wait for streaming for California Schemin, but it is still worth a watch!
