The film is loosely based on the experiences growing up on Atlanta's south side of two of the film's producers who come from the music world, Dallas Austin and Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins. [...] the movie, written by Tina Gordon Chism (from Antwone Fisher's story) and directed by debuting music video director Chris Robinson, remains unfocused. "ATL" is set for a quick payoff with urban youth audiences.

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