PATTI CAKE$

Cert 15 Running time 109 minutes

Everyone make some noise for this invigorating low-budget rap drama straight outta New Jersey. This confident and coarse debut from director Geremy Jasper is a familiar story of an aspiring young singer chasing dreams of stardom.

However, the fresh faces of its mixed-race rap group, with a plus-sized female lead singer, give it an endearing vitality.

For all its abundant energy, grim location and abrasive language, it’s a sweet-natured tale of reconciliation. Music is used to build bridges between generations of family, narrow the racial divide and cross the chasm spanning dreams and harsh reality. Though predominantly rap-based, in various ways the script invokes the musical history of New Jersey, from Sinatra to Springsteen to Jon Bon Jovi.

Aussie actress Danielle Macdonald gives a killer performance as self-styled Patti Cake$, who works two jobs to support her all-female family. She’s a long way from pitch perfect, but she and her band are vigorous in using anger as an energy.