PLOT:
Magazine reporter Jonathan Fisher, in danger of losing his job, promises to write a factual hard-hitting story of prostitution. But when he tries to get information from the subjects, he is ignored. So he ends up faking a well received story of a pimp, describing his life and crimes. But police think the story is of a real life pimp who is wanted for murder and start pressuring him to reveal the identity of subject in his story, and all he knows. The pimp the police suspect, also thinks the story is about himself, and wants to know what Jonathan knows, and who told him.
REVIEW:
What did I like?
Not what you know. Morgan Freeman and Christopher Reeve are both legendary actors. Reeve is best known to many as Superman, while Freeman usually plays a calm, wise, often mentor type role in his films. Well, Reeve is again a reporter, but he’s not the squeaky clean Clark Kent type. Not only does he make up a story to keep his job, but he cheats on his girlfriend by starting a relationship with a prostitute. As far as Freeman goes, that cool, calm demeanor that he is well-known for is here, but this character is almost bi-polar with how quick he is to anger and, I have to mention, his pimp hand is strong!
Sympathy. Kathy Baker is Freeman’s top prostitute, at least she’s the one he seems to have around the most. She is also the one that I mention Christopher Reeve’s character having an affair with. When the audience first meets her, she is what you would expect from a prostitute. However, as the plot thickens, she becomes an integral part of the story. Even the antagonistic assistant DA picks up on how important she is and sets out to find her to aid in his case against Freeman. Without realizing it, the audience is made to feel for this prostitute. No, she isn’t a hooker with a heart of gold like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, but she is more human than many others of her profession we have met in television and movies.
Hard out here for a pimp. A film like this, which takes someone who knows little to nothing of life on the streets and inserts them there, is sure to garner some criticism for unauthentic portrayal. That said, the streets scenes don’t feel fake or manufactured. The stakes are real! This is New York in the 80s, so it wasn’t hard to make it a gritty, crime ridden ghetto, for lack of a better term. Throw in the way Morgan Freeman seems to rule with an iron fist, so to speak, and anyone would be scared to go to that part of the city. Good thing this is only a movie…or is Morgan Freeman a pimp for real? Hmmm…
What didn’t I like?
Keep your pimp hand strong. One of the reasons I even know about this film is the scene that I alluded to earlier where Morgan Freeman pimp slaps Kathy Baker after a party. It truly is something that you have to see to enjoy. Yes, I know that in today’s society that would never fly because it is offensive. Ignore the fact that a man just slapped the taste out of a woman’s mouth, the twitter mafia would get offended. You know that’s what would happen. Hell, I’m surprised no one has tried to cancel Freeman because of this film…yet.
Turn the music down. In the scene where Reeve is getting familiar, shall we say, with Kathy Baker in her room, the music is unusually loud, even though there is dialogue happening. I chalked this up to a mistake with the audio, but it happens a couple of other times in the film. Nothing wrong with putting Aretha Franklin and the other artists on the soundtrack on full blast, but turn it down when people are talking!
Lawyer up. The assistant DA in this film is a real piece of work, and not in a good way. He is obsessed with putting Freeman’s character away for murder, even though it was clearly self defense. Think of Peck from Ghostbusters II and turn him down to about a 7 (on a scale of 10) and you have this guy. Also, the judge judge…this guy just about lost it when he didn’t get the nonexistent notes and sentenced Christopher Reeve for contempt because “he wont have obstruction in his court”. There was also some stuff about it doesn’t matter if you appeal or not. I don’t know how judges work, but he seemed a bit too…high strung for something that isn’t as big of a deal as they are making it out to be. Now, if this was video evidence showing the murder, then I could understand. They both needed to calm down.
Final verdict:
What did I think of Street Smart? Well, it is a crime drama that isn’t as dark and serious as one would think. A couple of chuckles and light moments are to be had. Save for one scene in particular, I don’t recall any bloodshed. That doesn’t affect how this film turned out, but for those looking for a violent encounter, this will disappoint. For me, I found the film enjoyable, but a little on the slow side. Do I recommend it? I can’t really say yes or no. It depends on what your personal tastes are regarding pimps and hos.
3 out of 5 stars
Mystery Man's Musings 