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Strong and Moving!

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

To think that this was produced by Cannon films, one of the most notorious companies of the eighties, for making cheesy, yet unbelievably watchable films, is amazing.Reporter Jonathan Fisher promises to write a factual story of prostitution. When he tries to get information from pimps, 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 pimp who is wanted for murder. The pimp also thinks the story is about himself, and wants to know what Jonathan knows, and who told him.....If you haven't heard of the film, and have just seen the one sheet, you'd be forgiven the film is about a washed up comedian who has a very small audience.The trouble is with Reeve, even though he is a really good actor, you just can't get Superman out of your head, every time you see him, and every time he utters a word. So even though this was a dream project for him, he just doesn't fit the role, after all he is the greatest American hero.So thank heavens for Morgan Freeman, whom if you've not seen him in a film before Robin Hood, really plays against type as Fast Black, and is the sole reason to watch this film.The story is great, it really had the potential to be a hard hitting film. And even though the film doesn't fail to entertain, and has some really tense moments, the casting of Reeve just makes the film feel like he's in a safe environment all the time.if the lead was cast with someone like Douglas, or even Ford, it could have been more believable.It's still an entertaining, original film, but Reeve just doesn't fit the grittiness of the narrative.

Pretty good movie with an early Morgan Freeman as a pimp. Most of the characters that Freeman plays (especially of late) are good hearted, good natured and easy going that make him a likable character, viewers come to expect that type of character but this one reminds me of the one Denzel Washington played in Training Day. Hard, mean, and ruthless; totally opposite from what we're used to seeing from either actor, but a refreshing change. The fact that it's the complete opposite from their usual rolls give them that much more impact.And while movie ad excerpt quotes praising performances are almost always the sign of a stinker (damning with faint praise), in this case, I think Morgan Freeman's performance is worth this movie alone. It's nuanced, and a perfect study of a sociopathic personality. Freeman plays a total predator, who will brutalize without conscience, but will pour on immense charm in the next second as a way of manipulating others. No one had ever heard of Morgan Freeman before this movie...but he was nominated for an Oscar for this performance. He should have won it! The energy level on screen goes down infinitely when Freeman is not present. Kathy Baker also does a decent job as one of Fast Black's prostitutes. All in all, the movie was enjoyable, had a good story-line and is a must-see for Morgan Freeman fans and Christopher Reeve fans.Overall rating: 7 out of 10.

If It wasn't by the performances of Morgan Freeman and Kathy Baker, I would have given 5 stars to "Street Smart", but such performances elevate the category of a modest movie.I didn't like the plot of the movie, but at least this movie doesn't bore you and keep you entertained, this movie is similar to the police movies made for TV, and I liked the shots of different parts of NY.The plot of the movie is about a journalist who invent a story about the life of a fictitious pimp called Tyron that is published in the magazine where he writes. The law confuses this factitious pimp Tyron with real life pimp "fast black" (Morgan Freeman) who is being accused for murder, so the law ask the journalist to deliver all his notes and tapes about his interview with the pimp to arrest Fast Black.There are 2 great scenes in the movie, in one scene the journalist is seduced by Punchy, who is one of the girls of Fast Black", where Kathy Baker who plays Plunchy looks really sexy (10 stars for her in this scene). And the other scene which is the best in the movie from an acting point of view involves the characters of Morgan Freman and Kathy Baker, you will know what scene I mean when you see it.In short you have to watch this B movie for the performances of Morgan Freman and Kathy Baker

Morgan Freeman's performance is the only reason to see this movie. Any life the movie has is supplied by him, and quite frankly, its really boring when he's not on the screen. Chris Reeve has a story published about a pimp who is a little too close in description to Freeman, so the D.A. wants all his notes about the interviews. Trouble is, Reeve made up the whole thing. He has no access to the man. But he gets close to him anyway, thanks to Kathy Baker's hooker with social skills. So the D.A. and the courts do not leave Reeve alone, and he soon regrets his own imagination. Freeman commits crimes that put Reeve in jail, because now he has obstructed justice. Mimi Rogers is seen briefly as Reeve's white bread counterpart. There is a stupid scene between her and the late Rick Aviles in a bar that does not seem to serve any purpose. Very little happens of significance. I appreciate this movie if it gave Morgan a chance to be in other movies, and of course his Oscar nomination didn't hurt, I am sure. Movie is beneath him now, though. And me, too. 4/10.