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Street Smart
Atmospheric direction and an interesting story that takes an unexpected path make a gritty urban drama from 1987 called Street Smart, not to mention some solid performances.
The late Christopher Reeve plays Jonathan Fisher, an investigative reporter who pitches the editor at New York Magazine the idea of a story about 24 hours in the life of a pimp. Fisher hits Times Square but can't get any pimps or hookers to talk to him so he fabricates a story and submits it to the editor, who puts it on the cover of the magazine. Almost simultaneously, a pimp named Fast Black has been indicted for murder and Black's attorney is worried because Fisher's story seems to be a perfect mock-up of Black's life. Things get stickier when Fisher's editor wants to meet Black and when the DA pressures Fisher for his notes on the article in order to aid in Black's murder prosecution.
Screenwriter David Freeman is to be credited for a story that initially comes off as laughable but becomes deadly serious pretty quickly. It's kind of funny that this completely fabricated story about a pimp written by a white reporter could completely fool his editor into thinking that Fisher has some great insight into street life. but instead of trying to move away from it, Jonathan dives in further and actually makes contact with Fast Black, bringing him to an important party at the bequest of his editor, maybe the best scene in the movie. Fisher also involves a hooker named Punchy and puts her, his own girlfriend, and himself in a lot of danger.
Initially it seems a little patronizing that a white guy could write such a convincing story about the life of a pimp, but it's clear that the writer knew what he was doing when the DA wanted to see the notes that led to the article, Fast Black's attorney wanted to see them, and eventually Fast Black wants the guy to fabricate notes that we know don't exist.
Director Jerry Schatzberg effectively creates the midnight to dawn atmosphere of Times Square, making the whole movie seem like it takes place at 2:30 in the morning. Reeve is smooth and understated as Fisher and Morgan Freeman's powerhouse turn as Fast Black earned him his first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Kathy Baker is also a perfect combination of strength and vulnerability as Punchy. I also have to give a shout out to Andre Gregory, who was very funny as Fisher's gullible editor. An atmospheric urban drama that brings the seamy atmosphere of Times Square vividly to life.
Atmospheric direction and an interesting story that takes an unexpected path make a gritty urban drama from 1987 called Street Smart, not to mention some solid performances.
The late Christopher Reeve plays Jonathan Fisher, an investigative reporter who pitches the editor at New York Magazine the idea of a story about 24 hours in the life of a pimp. Fisher hits Times Square but can't get any pimps or hookers to talk to him so he fabricates a story and submits it to the editor, who puts it on the cover of the magazine. Almost simultaneously, a pimp named Fast Black has been indicted for murder and Black's attorney is worried because Fisher's story seems to be a perfect mock-up of Black's life. Things get stickier when Fisher's editor wants to meet Black and when the DA pressures Fisher for his notes on the article in order to aid in Black's murder prosecution.
Screenwriter David Freeman is to be credited for a story that initially comes off as laughable but becomes deadly serious pretty quickly. It's kind of funny that this completely fabricated story about a pimp written by a white reporter could completely fool his editor into thinking that Fisher has some great insight into street life. but instead of trying to move away from it, Jonathan dives in further and actually makes contact with Fast Black, bringing him to an important party at the bequest of his editor, maybe the best scene in the movie. Fisher also involves a hooker named Punchy and puts her, his own girlfriend, and himself in a lot of danger.
Initially it seems a little patronizing that a white guy could write such a convincing story about the life of a pimp, but it's clear that the writer knew what he was doing when the DA wanted to see the notes that led to the article, Fast Black's attorney wanted to see them, and eventually Fast Black wants the guy to fabricate notes that we know don't exist.
Director Jerry Schatzberg effectively creates the midnight to dawn atmosphere of Times Square, making the whole movie seem like it takes place at 2:30 in the morning. Reeve is smooth and understated as Fisher and Morgan Freeman's powerhouse turn as Fast Black earned him his first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Kathy Baker is also a perfect combination of strength and vulnerability as Punchy. I also have to give a shout out to Andre Gregory, who was very funny as Fisher's gullible editor. An atmospheric urban drama that brings the seamy atmosphere of Times Square vividly to life.