Biography
California Schemin'
Straight Outta Scotland: A TIFF Review of ‘California Schemin’’
September 13, 2025Ben MK
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One of the most memorable semi-autobiographical music dramas of the last 25 years, 8 Mile is a film that has left its mark on pop culture. From Eminem's hit song, Lose Yourself, to the underdog tale of a White rapper trying to make it in a traditionally Black industry, to the unforgettable rap battles, it's hard to imagine aspiring rap artists not watching it and feeling inspired. But what if the story took place in the Dundee, Scotland, instead of Detroit? And what if its subjects were pretending to be something they weren't? That's the premise behind the directorial debut from James McAvoy, California Schemin', in which two friends set out to fool the music industry, the public, and even themselves, as they attempt to secure a record deal using made-up personas, jeopardizing their friendship in the process. The year is 2003, and Gavin Bain (Seamus McLean Ross) and Billy Boyd (Samuel Bottomley) are two best friends with a dream. By day, they both work at a telecommunications call center along with Billy's girlfriend, Mary (Lucy Halliday); but when they're off-shift, they call themselves Silibil N' Brains. A wannabe rap duo with thick Scottish accents, Gavin and Billy are something of a joke around town. And when they make the long trip to London to audition for a radio-sponsored contest looking for the UK's next big musical act, they're literally laughed off stage. That's when Gavin gets the bright idea to pretend they're actually from California — and the rest, as they say, is history. Putting on their best American accents, the pair manage to fool Tessa (Rebecca Murrell), a scout for Duotone Records, who eventually introduces them to her boss, Anthony (McAvoy). But even after surprising themselves and everyone around them by landing a highly coveted record deal, will Gavin and Billy be able to keep up their lie? Or will their not so carefully fabricated hoax come back to haunt them? A rags-to-riches-and-then-back-to-rags-again story, the result isn't your typical music biopic. Still, despite delving into some darker territory surrounding Gavin's mental health struggles, this stranger-than-fiction true story manages to balance the serious aspects of its subject matter with its more lighthearted elements, making for a charming tale about following one's dreams and never giving up. Suffice to say, genre fans will be pleased. For while Silibil N' Brains may have been a fraud, California Schemin' is the real deal. |
California Schemin' screens under the Special Presentations programme at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. Its runtime is 1 hr. 47 min.
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