TIFF 2025: California Schemin’ Review

This will be one of many reviews during this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, to keep up with our latest coverage, click here.

If there was any better story for Scottish actor James McAvoy to adapt in his feature directorial debut, this one is probably the best choice. Based on a true story, California Schemin’ won’t set the world on fire by any means but for what it lacks in originality, it makes up for in heart and a pair of uber-charismatic performances from stars Séamus McLean Ross and Samuel Bottomley, two names that should be on everyone’s radar. Staying true to the conventions of the standard fare biopic, the film doesn’t offer much in the way of surprises therefore, it’s the story that will either make it or break it. Rise and fall stories are relatively easy to follow and i the case of this one, it will pull audiences in as it tells real-life story of Scottish rap duo Silibil N’ Brains, a.k.a. Gavin Bain (Ross) and Billy Boyd (Bottomley). Set in the early 2000s, Gavin and Billy were two lifelong friends with dreams of making it big in the world of hip hop. However, what held them back at that time was them being white and having thick Scottish accents. Faced with plenty of barriers that threatened to keep them down, the friends vowed to not give up and be accepted for who they are. Though when that didn’t work, being laughed out of their latest audition. In spite of yet another setback, this was merely the beginning of their story.

Looking to finally break through, Gavin and Billy concoct a plan to reinvent themselves as free-spirited California rappers, American accents and all. Creating identities and backstories for their new personas, Silibil and Brains, the two planned to find success and then expose those who had easily dismissed them. The commentary about the music industry as it relates to identity and authenticity goes without saying, but the real story is the tension within the relationship between Gavin and Billy as it relates to the pair trying to keep up with the lie they have perpetrated and maintaining a grasp of fantasy and reality. Quickly scoring a record deal and finding success seemingly overnight, this just further complicated their dynamic as the bright lights of fame shone increasingly brighter. Perhaps losing sight of why they decided to take this path in the first place, fractures between Gavin and Billy began to form just as quickly, threatening to bring down Silibil and Brains before they could truly get off the ground. As their position became more complicated under the full weight of their lie, a breaking point was inevitable. In what was a learning lesson for Gavin and Billy about themselves and their friendship, their ordeal forced them to grow up very fast.

A heartwarming dramedy that is not afraid to go dark, California Schemin’ handles many tones thanks to the steady hand of McAvoy (who also appears in the film as a top London music producer). Wanting to do the true story justice, the film is just as much of a love letter to Scotland as it is the story of Silibil and Brains. Ultimately, the film would not have worked if not for Ross and Bottomley. Their collective charm and chemistry make Gavin and Billy flawed relatable characters worth going on this journey with. That being said, embracing its Scottishness, the accents will take some getting used to.

In the end, California Schemin’ is a grounded true story dramedy that, in spite of keeping too closely to biopic conventions, shines off the star-making performances from its two young leads.

still courtesy of TIFF

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.