#TIFF25: “CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN'” REVIEW

By Amanda Gilmore

Actor James McAvoy makes his directorial debut with this true story that’s stranger than fiction.

Silibil N’ Brains, a.k.a. Gavin Bain (Séamus McLean Ross) and Billy Boyd (Samuel Bottomley) are a Scottish rap duo from Dundee trying to make it big. The only issue is that no one takes these two thick-accented white dudes seriously in the rap game. So they hatch a plan: they’ll pretend to be hard-partying MCs from Southern California. Against all odds, they pull it off. But will they get away with it? And if so, how much of themselves do they lose in the process?

Archie Thomson and Elaine Gracie’s script tells the story of two young men who lose themselves in their own fabrications. McAvoy never loses sight of this in his vision. Showing the authentic streets of Dundee and then the sun-soaked milieu of California. He directs with passion and love for these two local Dundee boys, who have tried everything to live their dreams. Additionally, he perfectly cast himself as the duo’s money-hungry, fast-talking agent.

The heart and soul of California Schemin’ is the co-leads. Ross and Bottomley are loaded with charisma and vibrancy that keep us enthralled in this story. It is one that we’ve seen before. A musical performer risks everything to make it big. Then, when they do, they party hard and lose sight of themselves. Then they get on the path of rediscovery again. But there is something so magnetic about these two leads that keeps us invested throughout. Hey…maybe it’s those charming Scottish accents!

California Schemin’ screens at TIFF ’25:

Sat. Sept 6 at 3:00 PM at TIFF Lightbox

Sun. Sept 7 at 8:45 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Sat. Sept 13 at 3:30 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Sun. Sept 14 at 8:50 AM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto