Detroit (2006)

Director:

Brian Lawrence

Writer:

Brian Lawrence (writer)

Release Date:

2006 (USA)

Plot Keywords:

Sex | Lesbianism | Female Nudity | Lesbian Sex | Prostitute

Cast

Derek Denham	...	Manuel
Mark Brock	...	Jack
Candace Posluszny	...	Stacey
Deirdre Tracey	...	Margaret
Dale Reynolds	...	Sonny
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dax Anderson	...	Dr. Mercer
Steve Berg	...	Booth Worker #3
Christina Boyd	...	Sugar
Shaun Buckley	...	Jeremy Rudd
Latrice Curtis	...	Howie's Friend
Immanuel Daniels	...	Mackie
Ruben de la Vega	...	Mr. Rodriguez
Romina Djelosevic	...	Nancy
H. Anthony Dobson	...	Carl
Tony Dobson	...	Sam
Tony Dolison	...	Sam
Jason Eagle	...	Gloria's Customer
Brian Frederick	...	Lucky (as Brian Paul)
Hugh Gall	...	Scott
Cordell Gibbs	...	Howie
Peter Griffith	...	Young Homeless Person
Walter Harris	...	Ahmad
Hope James	...	Lucia
Jason Jarchow	...	Border Guard
Sam Logan Khaleghi	...	Federal Building Employee #1 (as Sam Khaleghi)
Heather Kozlakowski	...	Darlene
Amanda Lamberti	...	Crack Whore
Elton Litzner	...	Nick
Tracy Mastin	...	Avery Walker
Willie 'Mac' McDaniel	...	Mr. Montgomery
Mike Merna	...	Riley
LaShawn Miller	...	Screaming Neighbor
Sharon Mofield	...	Sweetie
Aida Munoz	...	Tris
Shiob Myint	...	Martin
Marvin Nochman	...	Old Street Person
Dan Novy	...	Customs Worker
Daniel Novy	...	Border Guard
Vince Orlando	...	George
Johnny Pacar	...	Spike
Jerry Pavia	...	Gererd
Carol Bazan Reed	...	Bird of Paradise
Raquel Rodriguez	...	Leci
Katherine Rollins	...	Booth Worker #1
Sonya Rueb	...	Gloria
Alex Safi	...	Bar Patron
Monte Sandu	...	Security Guard
Marsha 'Scottie' Scott	...	Homeless Person
Kristina Spotts	...	Heather
James Ward	...	Jimmy
Bruce Wiggins	...	Junior
Eva Wilson	...	Charlee
Scott Wyckoff	...	The Reverend
Stacia Wynn	...	Janice

Also Known As:

Corrupted Minds (USA) (video title)
Panic in Detroit (USA) (alternative title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong graphic sexuality/nudity, violence including a rape, drug use and language.

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Detroit, Michigan, USA

Company:

Reel Magic Films

Trivia:

Many of the actors were members of the acting studio run by director Brian Lawrence and producer Aida Munoz.

Review

A major American city has rarely appeared as seedy and decrepit as in "Corrupted Minds." Known pre-release as "Panic in Detroit," the movie follows the story of four groups who travel over the Ambassador Bridge from Canada into Detroit. The intertwined stories explore themes of pride, violence, power, passion, drug abuse, lust, misplaced trust, racial and sexual politics, and desperation to survive. In this dark world honesty and true friendship are rare, while deception and raw self-interest are commonplace, and everyone is at risk of betrayal or victimization.

Realistic, emotionally compelling performances by just about every actor and actress involved add enormously to the power of this absorbing drama. Many of the strongest scenes are between Tris (actress Aida Muñoz), a strikingly exotic Hispanic beauty who works as a prostitute but dreams of a better life, and Nick (actor Elton Litzner), her former boyfriend and pimp who, despite his other women, cannot tolerate Tris escaping his domination. Meanwhile, Jack (actor Mark Brock), a sleazy pimp who likes to put on an air of respectability, seeks to woo Tris, while at the same time cheating and exploiting her.

Actor Dale Reynolds puts in a sensitive performance as Sonny Montgomery, a well-known former college sports hero tricked into assisting a criminal, politically motivated plot. On the run from police and the conspirators, including The Reverend (actor Scott Wyckoff) and his henchman Ahmad (actor Walter Harris), his fight to survive seems doomed, while Manuel (actor Derek Denham) the friend that he trusts, ponders his orders to kill Sonny to keep him from talking.

Other story lines center on a film crew from Canada making a documentary, encouraging the locals to say bad things about Detroit, and two white suburban young ladies (actresses Candace Posluszny as Staci and Deirdre Tracey as Margaret) who are unsure whom to trust when their car breaks down in a run-down area of Detroit near the bridge.

Because of nudity, sex scenes and adult themes, the film is inappropriate for children. Despite the degrading nature of some of the sexual relationships, unlike just about every other movie the nudity and sex themselves are never sensationalized or idealized, but instead are portrayed truly and honestly.

Although the film was shot on a limited budget, great attention is paid to the cinematography, which is beautiful, and the sound, which is always right. The musical soundtrack is interesting and appropriate, and normally unobtrusive. There are also some good special effects, though not extensive. The plot is about relationships and human motivations, not explosions. Yet, it is also about the City, a character whose presence is always felt.

By the end of the film there are many losers, but a few winners as well. The biggest winner is the audience.

Producer, director, and screenwriter Brian Lawrence (not related to reviewer) has labored for years to bring forth a well-crafted product that entertains as it asks disturbing questions about contemporary American life.

James S. Lawrence, [e-mail]