I watched earlier Amos Poe films (Foreigner, Unmade Beds) and then I watched Alphabet City. Although, the film is directed by Poe, it is just filled with clichés and stories you have already seen, worlds you've already explored. It has no comment whatsoever on NYC's Alphabet City. So, in terms of story and plot- I won't bother watching the film. If you are interested in the craft of film- this film has great editing and great cinematography. If you want to taste the period of the 80's, there's a good amount of clubs and drugs, even a little neighborhood explored in the film. How much of it is genuine, I don't know- but its definitely interesting to study. What really ruins the film is that Poe had little control over the film- thus it was butchered by studio heads and editing department.
33 Reviews
Not bad 80's artifact.
Hey_Sweden26 December 2011
Passable urban action / crime flick starring Vincent Spano as Johnny, a young thug who gets into big trouble when his mobster bosses order him to torch a building, and because this is the same building in which his mom (Zohra Lampert) and sister (Jami Gertz) reside, he stalls and then ultimately defies them. If anything, "Alphabet City" is certainly a very slick affair, and it's no surprise that the director, Amos Poe, had music video experience. On the plus side, it is incredibly fast paced, and stylish, but in the end it's quite unmemorable. It's just too hard to care very much about any of these characters. The acting is generally competent but the performers are all basically playing archetypes, existing in a pretty standard story of people trying to rise above their meagre surroundings. It IS a treat to see the interesting Ms. Lampert; cult horror fans will recognize her from the 1971 favourite "Let's Scare Jessica to Death". Spano exerts a respectable amount of "cool" in the lead, with amusing support from Michael Winslow, best known as Jones from the "Police Academy" franchise who does have some dramatic moments here but also the opportunity to do some more of the sound effects shtick for which he's famous. Gorgeous Kate Vernon (daughter of the legendary John Vernon) is pleasing to look at, if not terribly convincing, in her first major role, and the same goes for the young Gertz. Familiar folk in smaller roles include Raymond Serra as the mob boss Gino, Tom Mardirosian as Benny, Tom Wright as a chauffeur, Clifton Powell as Ramon, and Miguel Pinero, creator of the stage play "Short Eyes", as a dealer. The dated pop soundtrack is good for some amusement, if also rather repetitive; the main music score is by industry great Nile Rodgers. The NYC location filming is a big, big asset. The climactic action, however, ends up descending into silliness. Overall, a fairly entertaining melodramatic little flick. Five out of 10.
Movie story simple as your A B C + Spano
PeterMitchell-506-5643641 May 2013
Alphabet City does have a cool style about it, with Spano, so good in this, mirroring a kind of younger Pacino (watch the way his eyes move in this) as 19 young street smart Johnny who controls the drug market for the big guys. But what AC scarcely makes up for in style, it lacks in it's prolonged and insufficient story. When asked by his boss to torch the building his parents reside, he's stuck between a rock and a hard place, literally, cause there's no way in hell, his folks are gonna split. He implores little sis (Jamie Gertz) to be the one to talk some sense into him, but like her parents will be, she's against it too. The movie is basically set over one night, with Johnny now wanting out, running back and forth, trying to figure a way out of this nightmare, first trying to collect his doe. You don't really have to be Einstein to figure out where the story goes from here. Yet still, with it's flashy appeal in a tame R rated movie, almost void or gore or bad language (I don't see how it earned this, like a few other movies of these 80's) this still manages to be an okay drama, on a bit of a flat running level. But honestly, this flick with some cool hip music, is worth watching, just for Spano's performance. Where the hell is this impressive 80's actor these days. Love Spano's boss's young floozy, Karen, in the red dress.
Don't waste your time
Tito-87 July 1999
There's really not much to say about this film, except that it was dull. I never found the story or any of the main characters to be interesting, and so, I was bored fairly early into the movie. I only watched it because I recognized a few of the names in the cast, but I should have known better...
Good, but only because of the car.
bfaulguy26 September 2002
Everyone gives this movie a bad rating, but it somehow managed to keep me entertained. However, I'm a car nut, so that of course plays into the level of enjoyment I had watching the film. In this movie, Johnny Chunga (Vincent Spano) plays a heroin dealer for the mob, and spends much of his time cruising the lower Manhattan area conducting this business. Why I like it: He drives a white 1983 Pontiac Trans Am "Pace Car". These cars were actually limited production firebirds (approximately 2500 built) that commemorated the 25th Daytona 500 race, and the 15th anniversary Firebird. They were loaded with all options to include smooth "aero" wheels, power everything, and Recaro seats. Johnny's even has a vintage cellphone! The car is on the video cover, so that's why I rented it. But I do like the early 80's soundtrack by Nile Rodgers, and would greatly appreciate any leads to find a copy of the soundtrack, or songs from it. The sound effects guy from Police Academy (Michael Winslow) is also in this movie doing what he does best. Thats about it. If you don't like "B" movies, don't watch it. If you're into Firebirds, it's worth renting.
An Inside Perspective
robertnash69118 March 2007
It is hard to imagine a film about heroin dealers that is not gritty, but then here it is, "Alphabet City." I can speak with authority about this film because not only did I live in the Alphabetland area for six months will attending New York University, I also worked as a Production Assistant on this film. Gritty? Hell no. It is a cartoon. I grew up as a movie lover, and then interned through NYU on this film; talk about a rude awakening.
While Michael Winslow is totally miscast, his silliness matches the rest of the movie. I've hung out with the real junkies from this area, watched them shoot up, and can say with absolute certainty that nothing about this film rings true to the location where the shooting took place, even though actual locals were at times used for extras. I could go on and give you the real dirt about this production, but they limit these reviews.
While Michael Winslow is totally miscast, his silliness matches the rest of the movie. I've hung out with the real junkies from this area, watched them shoot up, and can say with absolute certainty that nothing about this film rings true to the location where the shooting took place, even though actual locals were at times used for extras. I could go on and give you the real dirt about this production, but they limit these reviews.
An 80s teen drama for the underclass
mls418219 May 2021
Young man working for the mob to support his wife and baby has second thoughts about some assignments.
obtec200115 August 2006
Overlooked movie from 1984. As a movie I give it a 7 but as a 1980's "street drama" I give it a 10. excellent performance by a young Jamie Gertz as the whiny little sister coming of age in the cement Jungles of NY. Vince Spano I thought gave a realistic performance as the young street hustler who was actually a nice guy underneath.
Michael Windslow, the human sound effects guy who made his fame in the "Police Academy" movies was really good as drug house leader who is slowly spinning into a life as a junkie.
The Music....Now the music was just amazing. It was written by Nile Rogers from the disco era Chic. There is music on there that I have never been able to find anywhere. Look for a song called "Lady Luck"
Anyone who was a young adult in the 80's will see a blast from the past especially if they were around the big cities. It has its cheesy moments but all in all a decent flick.
Rent it from Net Flix.
Michael Windslow, the human sound effects guy who made his fame in the "Police Academy" movies was really good as drug house leader who is slowly spinning into a life as a junkie.
The Music....Now the music was just amazing. It was written by Nile Rogers from the disco era Chic. There is music on there that I have never been able to find anywhere. Look for a song called "Lady Luck"
Anyone who was a young adult in the 80's will see a blast from the past especially if they were around the big cities. It has its cheesy moments but all in all a decent flick.
Rent it from Net Flix.
Disaster City. (spoilers)
vertigo_1426 September 2004
Warning: Spoilers
Ugh, this has to be one of the worst movies I have ever seen, and this, in addition other movies I have seen, makes me very cautious of anything with Vincent Spano in the starring role.
Alphabet City, is as one viewer commented, a nice visual display. Though space is developed out of a few cheaply constructed movie sets, it seems to be the only thing done with great care, presenting an atmosphere of moody colors (green and purple lighting dominates) and architecture. However, for most movies, visual aesthetics cannot alone suffice for the entertainment of a whole film. And with Alphabet City, it doesn't account for much more than a condolence prize as if to say, "well, at least the movie looked nice."
Alphabet City takes place in the course of one day. Local street dealer, Johnny (Vincent Spano), comes off as arrogant more than he does tough. With everyone so nonchalant about his present occupation (which includes being a Mafia subordinate), it is a wonder why everyone is so shocked when things fall apart. Did they expect the good life of fast money to last forever? Early in the movie, the writers hint that something is wrong. That we should expect trouble, and the only place we should anticipate it, is to arise from Johnny's life as a street gangster. I mean, what the hell else should we expect it from, since nothing else really happens in this stupid movie. And, this is a little difficult to surmise at first, since we don't really get much of a story. We don't know much about the characters pivotal to Johnny's role.
Johnny just keeps up the limited, arrogant character throughout the movie as he realizes things are going down. We aren't given much reason to care about the sequence of events, since nothing is really differentiated from one to another. For example, a bust breaks out at "The Store" where significant dealings occur. A heap of money is lost, leaving Johnny owing his boss a whopping fifteen grand (why a guy that powerful would hang on to Johnny who was noted for losing much cash before, still want to do so is questionable). But, it's like, Vincent Spano's deadpan delivery makes us wonder whether Johnny really cares about much of anything. He's too buy keeping up the tough guy front. And that's the case for the entire movie. The events transpire without too much development, and as a viewer, I certainly lose interest in a movie like this, because it only provides minimal explanation of what is going on, and gives little reason to tell the viewer why these occurrences are important.
Alphabet City is a real disaster.
Alphabet City, is as one viewer commented, a nice visual display. Though space is developed out of a few cheaply constructed movie sets, it seems to be the only thing done with great care, presenting an atmosphere of moody colors (green and purple lighting dominates) and architecture. However, for most movies, visual aesthetics cannot alone suffice for the entertainment of a whole film. And with Alphabet City, it doesn't account for much more than a condolence prize as if to say, "well, at least the movie looked nice."
Alphabet City takes place in the course of one day. Local street dealer, Johnny (Vincent Spano), comes off as arrogant more than he does tough. With everyone so nonchalant about his present occupation (which includes being a Mafia subordinate), it is a wonder why everyone is so shocked when things fall apart. Did they expect the good life of fast money to last forever? Early in the movie, the writers hint that something is wrong. That we should expect trouble, and the only place we should anticipate it, is to arise from Johnny's life as a street gangster. I mean, what the hell else should we expect it from, since nothing else really happens in this stupid movie. And, this is a little difficult to surmise at first, since we don't really get much of a story. We don't know much about the characters pivotal to Johnny's role.
Johnny just keeps up the limited, arrogant character throughout the movie as he realizes things are going down. We aren't given much reason to care about the sequence of events, since nothing is really differentiated from one to another. For example, a bust breaks out at "The Store" where significant dealings occur. A heap of money is lost, leaving Johnny owing his boss a whopping fifteen grand (why a guy that powerful would hang on to Johnny who was noted for losing much cash before, still want to do so is questionable). But, it's like, Vincent Spano's deadpan delivery makes us wonder whether Johnny really cares about much of anything. He's too buy keeping up the tough guy front. And that's the case for the entire movie. The events transpire without too much development, and as a viewer, I certainly lose interest in a movie like this, because it only provides minimal explanation of what is going on, and gives little reason to tell the viewer why these occurrences are important.
Alphabet City is a real disaster.
Worthy Teen Crime Drama with a Bit of "Lady Luck"
bayardhiler9 October 2014
Looking at film history, one can pick any decade and easily find a film that deals with the subject teen angst, crime, or juvenile delinquency. The 80's are no exception to that, as we can see with 1984's "Alphabet City". Taking place in the real life (and at the time troubled) neighborhood of New York City, it concerns the story of a young, punk street dealer named Johnny (Vincent Spano in his younger days). Johnny lives the life, has a hot girlfriend and young daughter, as well as a sweat ride. But he begins to have second thoughts about everything when he's ordered by his mob boss, Gino (a very effective Raymond Serra) to burn down the building where his mother and little sister are living. What follows next is a run for his life as Johnny does everything to collect old debts to get himself and his family out of dodge.
Before I go on, let me be honest: The film won't win any academy awards. It is what is, a low budget teen crime drama. And yet the film is memorable, if not for its writing than for the look and feel of it. "Alphabet City" perfectly captures the time it was made in, the early eighties, be it the fashion (the bright colored "tights" girls used to wear in night clubs, Oh Yeah!) or the quasi disco/early 80's dance music that was happening at the time. One song called "Lady Luck" is especially memorable since they play it throughout much of the film. It might not be anything special, but after a while, it is pretty catchy. Another point that helps is the dedication the actors give to their roles, despite the film being as low budget as it is. Vincent Spano is fairly convincing as the drug dealer who grows a conscience, as is Michael Winslow as Lippy, Johnny's drug addicted partner in crime. In particular, Winslow makes you feel for Lippy, as he inspires feelings of hopelessness and despair with his crazy antics and street rhythms. Rounding out the cast is Kate Vernon as Angie, Johnny's girlfriend, and a very young and just starting out Jami Gertz as Johnny's sister Sophia. But above all, perhaps what makes "Alphabet City" so memorable is a genuine feeling of the price one might be required to pay when he enters the drug game (Another commenter on this site who admits to being involved in the drug trade during this time said the same thing. Luckily for him, he was able to get out of the game but not before seeing many of his friends being "retired" for good). And on that note, if you're in the mood for some 80's fun and decent teen story, check out "Alphabet City". Directed by Amos Poe.
Before I go on, let me be honest: The film won't win any academy awards. It is what is, a low budget teen crime drama. And yet the film is memorable, if not for its writing than for the look and feel of it. "Alphabet City" perfectly captures the time it was made in, the early eighties, be it the fashion (the bright colored "tights" girls used to wear in night clubs, Oh Yeah!) or the quasi disco/early 80's dance music that was happening at the time. One song called "Lady Luck" is especially memorable since they play it throughout much of the film. It might not be anything special, but after a while, it is pretty catchy. Another point that helps is the dedication the actors give to their roles, despite the film being as low budget as it is. Vincent Spano is fairly convincing as the drug dealer who grows a conscience, as is Michael Winslow as Lippy, Johnny's drug addicted partner in crime. In particular, Winslow makes you feel for Lippy, as he inspires feelings of hopelessness and despair with his crazy antics and street rhythms. Rounding out the cast is Kate Vernon as Angie, Johnny's girlfriend, and a very young and just starting out Jami Gertz as Johnny's sister Sophia. But above all, perhaps what makes "Alphabet City" so memorable is a genuine feeling of the price one might be required to pay when he enters the drug game (Another commenter on this site who admits to being involved in the drug trade during this time said the same thing. Luckily for him, he was able to get out of the game but not before seeing many of his friends being "retired" for good). And on that note, if you're in the mood for some 80's fun and decent teen story, check out "Alphabet City". Directed by Amos Poe.
Total Garbage!
dgordon-115 October 2001
This movie has to be one of the most boring and lame movies of the '80s. I couldn't remember what it was about after seeing it back in 1984. It was on one of the movie channels a couple of years ago, and it was still bad. I thought it might get better with time. I remember at the Drive-in where I saw it, it was very dark, and could not be seen properly. On TV, it was just as bad. Most of the movie takes place at night. The plot is all over the place, and the characters are forgettable. Being a fan of action/thriller movies, this one is a big disappointment!
end of an era
amos-2730 August 2006
i recently saw this flick after 20 odd years & while it is one that 'got away', its still pretty decent for the time... (what the producers wanted - was an "urban teen flick"... good luck!) it was my first 35mm, fully crewed production & shot in 20 nights & we did best under the circumstances, and we had a blast shooting it. editing was difficult to say the least. it was a huge, huge learning experience. i had a lot of support from oliver wood (DP), line-producers Ben Gruberg & Roberta Friedman, and Greg Heller, who wrote the story. Nord Haggerty and Anna Taylor did a a great job with production design and costumes under very limited budget. Nile's music sounds better than ever. i wish we'd have shot the real ending... (which was to "political" for the producers) i agree w/comments that there are cheesy segments & i'd like to see Vince act in more movies! Jamie & Michael Winslow still charm in their own ways... anyway, thanks for watching it on late nite TV!
New York indie
SnoopyStyle18 November 2023
Johnny (Vincent Spano) is a drug pusher working for the mob in New York City. He's driving around in his Trans Am and running the operation around his neighborhood. His 15 year old sister Sophia (Jami Gertz) is an escort. He's desperate to get her and their mother out of the hood. Lippy (Michael Winslow) is his friend. Angie (Kate Vernon) is his girlfriend.
This is so 80's although it is borrowing from the 70's. I don't know anything about director Amos Poe. He seems to have made a name as an outsider indie filmmaking in the New York City scene. I like the ground level aesthetics although the filmmaking is a little rough. It is just so cheesy. I'm sure that it's not the initial intention but it's so 80's. The story is pretty straight forward. I do like it all being in one night.
This is so 80's although it is borrowing from the 70's. I don't know anything about director Amos Poe. He seems to have made a name as an outsider indie filmmaking in the New York City scene. I like the ground level aesthetics although the filmmaking is a little rough. It is just so cheesy. I'm sure that it's not the initial intention but it's so 80's. The story is pretty straight forward. I do like it all being in one night.
Alphabet Soup - stylish, but dull
ninjaalexs23 April 2022
Young Italian-American drug dealer, Johnny (Vincent Spano) is trying to make it in the world. He gets double crossed and has to rethink his plans.
Amos Poe is a fine director who so far has never got his big break. This film is a true independent film, but it lacks the panache of other directors who made it big in the 80s such as Spike Lee and Joe Dante. Vincent Spano has sadly never been an A-lister, but he looks the part and is decent. After playing tough guys in films like Rumble Fish this isn't a departure for him in terms of character. The real star of the show is the cinematography by Oliver Wood. A lot of attention has been paid to the lighting, set design and camera work. The film has a neon look to it reminiscent of films like Blade Runner, Thief and Manhunter. It is style over substance and the derivative plot, one dimensional characterisation and corny dialogue make for a mediocre viewing experience.
The film is not widely remembered or respected, and it falls way short compared to similar hood thrillers like those by Walter Hill (Streets of Fire was released the same year) .
Amos Poe is a fine director who so far has never got his big break. This film is a true independent film, but it lacks the panache of other directors who made it big in the 80s such as Spike Lee and Joe Dante. Vincent Spano has sadly never been an A-lister, but he looks the part and is decent. After playing tough guys in films like Rumble Fish this isn't a departure for him in terms of character. The real star of the show is the cinematography by Oliver Wood. A lot of attention has been paid to the lighting, set design and camera work. The film has a neon look to it reminiscent of films like Blade Runner, Thief and Manhunter. It is style over substance and the derivative plot, one dimensional characterisation and corny dialogue make for a mediocre viewing experience.
The film is not widely remembered or respected, and it falls way short compared to similar hood thrillers like those by Walter Hill (Streets of Fire was released the same year) .
All visuals, but no interesting story nor interesting characters
blazesnakes925 April 2014
Just recently, I was flipping through the channels on my television and also looking up what time Alphabet City was going to be on. I've heard of this movie a little bit. It has no score on the movie critic website, Rotten Tomatoes. Before I saw this movie, I saw a Siskel and Ebert episode that was filmed in 1984 and they actually reviewed the movie and disliked it. From there on, my suspicions began to rise. I had to see what this movie was or is about.
What a real letdown. Alphabet City is about a New York City teenager named Johnny, (Vincent Spano), who works for the mob in the lower East Side of Manhattan called "Alphabet City". Johnny has a wife, (Kate Vernon), and also a baby. He also has a loving mother, who begs him to go straight and also a sister who is part of a escort service. But, Johnny's arrogance gets the better of him when he is asks to burn down his mother's house. Johnny ignores this task and decides that the only way to solve this problem is to take his wife and his baby out of the apartment and flee the mobsters. The mob now want the streets back, but Johnny isn't willing to give it up. He also wheels and deals in his wife's Trans-Am and on several occasions, visits the local crack den called "The Store".
After seeing Alphabet City, I was very disappointed for a lot of reasons. The visual style of the movie looks very overdone with the amount of colors that the filmmakers use during the production of this movie. Furthermore, the visuals is the only thing that I liked throughout this movie. But, it isn't anything special or interesting. The way that the actors' faces are illuminated with lights make you think that their own faces were lit by cheap neon-lights. At certain times during the viewing of this movie, I found it very difficult to see through the thick fog that was shown entirely throughout the film. One sure example of that would be the scene in which Johnny pays a visit to his drug dealing friend at "The Store." I guess the filmmakers really had to get their hands on a fog machine to created a lot of fog in the movie.
I never really care about Johnny or his troubles. I think what I expect to see in a movie like this is conviction. Vincent Spano is a very good actor when it comes to getting the leading role. He had made a good movie before Alphabet City, which was "Baby, It's You." But, here, I didn't really think he played Johnny really well.
All of the supporting characters are not the least interesting. Johnny's friend, who's a drug dealer, isn't the least bit interesting or appealing because we never care about him. I believe that if Johnny's friend was more careful in his actions, we would've care more about him. Instead, there isn't a single moment in Alphabet City, where we take the crime matter seriously. In comparison to Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets, the crime matter and the characters were interesting because we care about them and also lacks predictability. Harvey Keitel's character in Mean Streets was believable because he was guilt- ridden and never wanting to let go of his wrongdoings. Here, it's almost as if the actors were playing dress-up time and wander through an aimless plot and story.
Beyond that, the other supporting moments in the movie don't work either. There's a shootout in a elevator that isn't really thrilling or exciting. The climax of the movie is so laughable that I wouldn't really dare to tell you what happens in the end or tell you. There's too many scenes involving Johnny driving around in the middle of the night in his wife's car. Not at all the least interesting. The scenes all look like they would work in a MTV stylized music video. It doesn't work in a motion picture, especially in this. I think what I expected from Alphabet City is a sense of grittiness and realism rather than a fantasy. Now, that would've worked. ★ 1 star.
What a real letdown. Alphabet City is about a New York City teenager named Johnny, (Vincent Spano), who works for the mob in the lower East Side of Manhattan called "Alphabet City". Johnny has a wife, (Kate Vernon), and also a baby. He also has a loving mother, who begs him to go straight and also a sister who is part of a escort service. But, Johnny's arrogance gets the better of him when he is asks to burn down his mother's house. Johnny ignores this task and decides that the only way to solve this problem is to take his wife and his baby out of the apartment and flee the mobsters. The mob now want the streets back, but Johnny isn't willing to give it up. He also wheels and deals in his wife's Trans-Am and on several occasions, visits the local crack den called "The Store".
After seeing Alphabet City, I was very disappointed for a lot of reasons. The visual style of the movie looks very overdone with the amount of colors that the filmmakers use during the production of this movie. Furthermore, the visuals is the only thing that I liked throughout this movie. But, it isn't anything special or interesting. The way that the actors' faces are illuminated with lights make you think that their own faces were lit by cheap neon-lights. At certain times during the viewing of this movie, I found it very difficult to see through the thick fog that was shown entirely throughout the film. One sure example of that would be the scene in which Johnny pays a visit to his drug dealing friend at "The Store." I guess the filmmakers really had to get their hands on a fog machine to created a lot of fog in the movie.
I never really care about Johnny or his troubles. I think what I expect to see in a movie like this is conviction. Vincent Spano is a very good actor when it comes to getting the leading role. He had made a good movie before Alphabet City, which was "Baby, It's You." But, here, I didn't really think he played Johnny really well.
All of the supporting characters are not the least interesting. Johnny's friend, who's a drug dealer, isn't the least bit interesting or appealing because we never care about him. I believe that if Johnny's friend was more careful in his actions, we would've care more about him. Instead, there isn't a single moment in Alphabet City, where we take the crime matter seriously. In comparison to Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets, the crime matter and the characters were interesting because we care about them and also lacks predictability. Harvey Keitel's character in Mean Streets was believable because he was guilt- ridden and never wanting to let go of his wrongdoings. Here, it's almost as if the actors were playing dress-up time and wander through an aimless plot and story.
Beyond that, the other supporting moments in the movie don't work either. There's a shootout in a elevator that isn't really thrilling or exciting. The climax of the movie is so laughable that I wouldn't really dare to tell you what happens in the end or tell you. There's too many scenes involving Johnny driving around in the middle of the night in his wife's car. Not at all the least interesting. The scenes all look like they would work in a MTV stylized music video. It doesn't work in a motion picture, especially in this. I think what I expected from Alphabet City is a sense of grittiness and realism rather than a fantasy. Now, that would've worked. ★ 1 star.
Don't bother.
mcgvcg13 May 2021
All style, no substance in contempo Gotham film noir
lor_8 February 2023
My review was written in May 1984 after a Times Square screemomg.
"Alphabet City" is an unsuccessful attempt to oprray the subculture of Manhattan's underbelly (title refers to the are of Lower Eastside Manhattan between avenues a through D) in a commercil film. Director Amos Poe, graduating from a series of 16mm features to the mainstream, demonstrates style and nascent talent but lacks the narrative skill to make the picture work. Released film shows evidence of last-minute tinkering, indicated bh its abbreviated running time and the absence on-screen o actress Laura Carringotn, sixth-billed in the press materials.
Non-story, long on atmosphere, but terminally thin on plot, presents a night in the life of Johnny (Vincent Spano), an Italian teenager who is a kingpin in the neighborhood drug and extortion rackets. Ordered by his gangster boss Gino (Raymond Serra) to torch the building where his mother (Zohra Lampert) and younger sister (Jamie Gertz) live, Johnny decides to chuck his lucratife lifestyle and flee for parts unknown with artist wife Angela (Kate Vernon) and their infant child.
Along the episodic way, Johnny makes his nightly rounds in his white Porsche, visiting a drug en out of Dante's Infreno, collecting payments from local bar owners , frightening off heris apparent such as "hey man" stereotype Juani (Daniel Jordano) and lecturing his sister and right-hand man Lippy (Michael WInslow) on cleaning up their acts (as prostituee and durg addict, respectively).
Poe, one of the few contemporary directors along with John Flynn, Wim Wenders and Paul Schrader, who consistently recalls the Hollywood 1940s tradition of film noir, adopts an intemittently effective visual style of distortion, over-using pastel lighting and diffused light sources. At several points, cinematographer Oliver Wood's artily smeared shots look like Douglas Trumbull's lens flares (simulating UFOs) in "Close Encoutners of the Third Kind". Net effect is to distract the viewer from the weak storyline., Poe and his producer Andrew Braunsberg would have done better to emphasize more action footage, since the seveal fight and chase scenes on view are well-staged and invigorating.
Cast consistently transcends the material, with rising young star Vincent Spano winning audience sympathy in the sketchy central role and Michael Winslow, reprising his sure-fire machine-gun vocal sound effects routine from "Police Adademy", valuable as the comic relief sidekick. Jamie Gerz scores as the precociously sexy sister, but debuting actress Kate Vernon is stuck with a wimpy role as Spano's wife.
Curiously, producer Braunsberg's former collaborator Paul Morrissey (on the 1973 productions "Blood for Dracula" and 3-D "Flesh for Frankenstein"), has just completed directing his own film "Alphabet City" (since retitled variously "New York Avenue D' and "Down Town"), whiche hopefully will boast a stornger storyline.
"Alphabet City" is an unsuccessful attempt to oprray the subculture of Manhattan's underbelly (title refers to the are of Lower Eastside Manhattan between avenues a through D) in a commercil film. Director Amos Poe, graduating from a series of 16mm features to the mainstream, demonstrates style and nascent talent but lacks the narrative skill to make the picture work. Released film shows evidence of last-minute tinkering, indicated bh its abbreviated running time and the absence on-screen o actress Laura Carringotn, sixth-billed in the press materials.
Non-story, long on atmosphere, but terminally thin on plot, presents a night in the life of Johnny (Vincent Spano), an Italian teenager who is a kingpin in the neighborhood drug and extortion rackets. Ordered by his gangster boss Gino (Raymond Serra) to torch the building where his mother (Zohra Lampert) and younger sister (Jamie Gertz) live, Johnny decides to chuck his lucratife lifestyle and flee for parts unknown with artist wife Angela (Kate Vernon) and their infant child.
Along the episodic way, Johnny makes his nightly rounds in his white Porsche, visiting a drug en out of Dante's Infreno, collecting payments from local bar owners , frightening off heris apparent such as "hey man" stereotype Juani (Daniel Jordano) and lecturing his sister and right-hand man Lippy (Michael WInslow) on cleaning up their acts (as prostituee and durg addict, respectively).
Poe, one of the few contemporary directors along with John Flynn, Wim Wenders and Paul Schrader, who consistently recalls the Hollywood 1940s tradition of film noir, adopts an intemittently effective visual style of distortion, over-using pastel lighting and diffused light sources. At several points, cinematographer Oliver Wood's artily smeared shots look like Douglas Trumbull's lens flares (simulating UFOs) in "Close Encoutners of the Third Kind". Net effect is to distract the viewer from the weak storyline., Poe and his producer Andrew Braunsberg would have done better to emphasize more action footage, since the seveal fight and chase scenes on view are well-staged and invigorating.
Cast consistently transcends the material, with rising young star Vincent Spano winning audience sympathy in the sketchy central role and Michael Winslow, reprising his sure-fire machine-gun vocal sound effects routine from "Police Adademy", valuable as the comic relief sidekick. Jamie Gerz scores as the precociously sexy sister, but debuting actress Kate Vernon is stuck with a wimpy role as Spano's wife.
Curiously, producer Braunsberg's former collaborator Paul Morrissey (on the 1973 productions "Blood for Dracula" and 3-D "Flesh for Frankenstein"), has just completed directing his own film "Alphabet City" (since retitled variously "New York Avenue D' and "Down Town"), whiche hopefully will boast a stornger storyline.
Could have been a contender
TeenVamp8 April 2021
Visually Driven
darrin27 December 2001
While not a well received film, it was still highly enjoyable. Visually driven (in the same vein as Miami Vice) with enough goodies to keep you interested. Unfortunately, Vincent Spano never rose above his promising career of the '80s. Original soundtrack by Nile Rodgers perfectly accompanies the film. Now onto the absurd comments by UnrealKillerGirl. I guess you must have conveniently overlooked Park Avenue? LOL! One of the most prestigious neighborhoods in the world. How 'bout Breakfast at Tiffany's, Sex & The City, The Gastineau Girls, Maid In Manhattan, Arthur, Barefoot In The Park, Autumn In New York, and a gazillion other films & TV shows that romanticize the Greatest City In The World?! Why not watch the above examples and get a more balanced view? Obviously, "Alphabet City" is merely a depiction of one neighborhood among hundreds that lie in The City That Never Sleeps. A neighborhood that is no longer riddled with crime. The NYC of today is quite a far cry from yesteryear. Since 1993, NYC has become the safest, largest city in the nation. Time Square (crossroads of the world) is one of the Top 10 family destinations in America for tourists. Yes, if you want to be bored out of your wits, by all means, stay in Dubuque! LOL! If you don't want to miss out on Broadway, Central Park, The Statue of Liberty, 24/7 nightlife, Wall Street, Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Coney Island, MTV Studios in Times Square (crossroads of the world), Actors Studio, The United Nations, 5th Avenue, Yankee Stadium, Dave Letterman, SNL, Conan, Radio City Music Hall, Museum of Radio & TV, miles of food to explore from hundreds of nations, then shlep on down and quash your misconceptions! Otherwise, you will miss out on the world, because everything can be found in Gotham City! It wasn't nicknamed "The State That Has Everything" for its health! eh -D, NYC "I moved into my apartment Sept. 10. In one day I saw the worst but also the best of New York. Its people are glorious, marvelous. The best. First-run movies? We got it. Tops in theater? We got it. Ballet, opera, circus, concerts. More culture here, more in the way of arts than anywhere in the world. New York is the Athens of today" - MATT DAMON (as told to Cindy Adams of Page 6, NY Post - oldest, continuously published newspaper in America; founded by one of our founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton).."New York City has the zoo, aquarium, museums, fashion center, diamond center, U.N., Statue of Liberty; and it's got the Yanks and the Mets; and it's got every kind of food but lousy; and it's the home of the one-namers like Harrison, Dustin, Calvin, Katie, Rosie, Bianca, Bernadette, Matt, Bryant, Vanessa, Julia, Halle, Gwyneth, Donald, Ivana, Puffy" - CINDY ADAMS (Page 6, NY Post)
It was a dark and stormy night somewhere near Tompkins Square Park.
mark.waltz23 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Sadly you don't get to see much of Alphabet City because it's dark out, and a good majority of this takes place inside. Plus it's a pretty typical "regretting my life choices so I've got to change" saga with Vincent Spano realizing that he's in over his head with mob boss Raymond Serra (mostly seen from the upper lip down) and wanting to get out.
Funny man Michael Winslow does get to make his amusing sound effects noises but his character, a drug addict and pusher, is a sad one. You can tell that he's got a good heart, but it's probably too late for him. Quite a different part for the "Police Academy" star. Kate Vernon as Spano's girlfriend, Jami Gertz as his sister and Zohra Lampert as his mother are good supporting players, the only good things in his life.
While watchable, there's definitely a feeling that this has been done before and better, and the grittiness of the lower east side seems to be lacking the full power of how bad things were there during the early 80's. There's a definite feel for the club scene though, and yet as violent as it is, I felt that the writers were holding back out of fear of offending those who lived there or scare people from visiting Manhattan in any aspect. Spano is passionate in his realness which is a redeeming value of the film as a whole.
Funny man Michael Winslow does get to make his amusing sound effects noises but his character, a drug addict and pusher, is a sad one. You can tell that he's got a good heart, but it's probably too late for him. Quite a different part for the "Police Academy" star. Kate Vernon as Spano's girlfriend, Jami Gertz as his sister and Zohra Lampert as his mother are good supporting players, the only good things in his life.
While watchable, there's definitely a feeling that this has been done before and better, and the grittiness of the lower east side seems to be lacking the full power of how bad things were there during the early 80's. There's a definite feel for the club scene though, and yet as violent as it is, I felt that the writers were holding back out of fear of offending those who lived there or scare people from visiting Manhattan in any aspect. Spano is passionate in his realness which is a redeeming value of the film as a whole.
At 19, they gave him the streets. Tonight, they're going to take them back.
virtualimmigrant20 February 2019
King of the no-wave cinema Amos Poe's 'Alphabet City' has cool style, and super cool main character, Johnny (awesome performance by Vincent Spano). Screenplay is not very sophisticated and story is quite straightforward, but weak script is compensated by cool direction and awesome soundtrack composed by Nile Rodgers.
Painfully boring and empty
Rodrigo_Amaro7 April 2024
The only good attraction of "Alphabet City" comes from the acting of the cast, specially leading man Vincent Spano playing a smart drug dealer
trying to save his family and friends lives while conducting some final businesses as his boss goes after him. The story tries to seduce us with the
urgency of an one night timespan where our hero runs all night through a dangerous part of New York ciy that goes by the film title.
Problem is that the film fails to connect us through the whole thing because there's not a good story to tell, with terrible character development and even worst action (if there was one). It tries to create a sort of mystery behind why this guy is being hunted when it could have reduced that element (explaining it sooner) and added the dangers and drama of it all as he find ways to his mother, his sister, his artist wife and their baby. The cryptic dialogues trying to sound complicated and accurate about criminality never fully convince.
Spano's acting makes the film tolerable as he has the charm and charisma to play a streetwise dealer who has his own set of rules to stay alive and help everybody he loves. He holds himself a lot before using of violence, unlike many men of his trade who has killing as their game. I enjoyed the performance not only because he carries the movie in a fine manner, but also it makes a nice contrast to his previous role as a shy buddy of a gang leader in "Rumble Fish". Seeing him in those roles is a testimony of his range, and makes one wonder why he wasn't a bigger star. Michael Winslow from the "Police Academy" franchise could also land a memorable role if the part was written with a heavier dramatic tone rather than the comedic, as he plays the dealer's best friend, a talkative street dealer who is also a junkie. They help each other when needed but he's always the one flying high in another dimension.
It was hard to like and hard to care over this one as everything moves in a strange manner, shifting between genres and never satisfying as a whole. For the life of me, I could not understand/see that whole business joint that the police raided (at first there was a house, then suddenly it's a whole building that leads to a labyrinth kind of place); neither couldn't see the sexy moment of the film since it's weirdly choreographed and badly lit. Besides its erratic presentation of everything, it doesn't show any new variation on the criminal world and its rules. It may be of some curiosity as it shows a different part of New York filled with poverty, misery and faceless cops as all kinds of crimes are committed. It isn't a total waste of time, but at times it sure feels like it. 4/10.
Problem is that the film fails to connect us through the whole thing because there's not a good story to tell, with terrible character development and even worst action (if there was one). It tries to create a sort of mystery behind why this guy is being hunted when it could have reduced that element (explaining it sooner) and added the dangers and drama of it all as he find ways to his mother, his sister, his artist wife and their baby. The cryptic dialogues trying to sound complicated and accurate about criminality never fully convince.
Spano's acting makes the film tolerable as he has the charm and charisma to play a streetwise dealer who has his own set of rules to stay alive and help everybody he loves. He holds himself a lot before using of violence, unlike many men of his trade who has killing as their game. I enjoyed the performance not only because he carries the movie in a fine manner, but also it makes a nice contrast to his previous role as a shy buddy of a gang leader in "Rumble Fish". Seeing him in those roles is a testimony of his range, and makes one wonder why he wasn't a bigger star. Michael Winslow from the "Police Academy" franchise could also land a memorable role if the part was written with a heavier dramatic tone rather than the comedic, as he plays the dealer's best friend, a talkative street dealer who is also a junkie. They help each other when needed but he's always the one flying high in another dimension.
It was hard to like and hard to care over this one as everything moves in a strange manner, shifting between genres and never satisfying as a whole. For the life of me, I could not understand/see that whole business joint that the police raided (at first there was a house, then suddenly it's a whole building that leads to a labyrinth kind of place); neither couldn't see the sexy moment of the film since it's weirdly choreographed and badly lit. Besides its erratic presentation of everything, it doesn't show any new variation on the criminal world and its rules. It may be of some curiosity as it shows a different part of New York filled with poverty, misery and faceless cops as all kinds of crimes are committed. It isn't a total waste of time, but at times it sure feels like it. 4/10.
This movie really hit home
poreflay9 June 2007
I thought the movie was very realistic and could have been based on a friend of mine and my own rise and fall in the drug trade ('78 &'79). The fast cars, condemned buildings that we used to deal out of, the "shooting" galleries. Making sure your runners are always in pocket. Huge amounts of money trading hands daily. Seeing friends turn into junkies and not being able to help nor trust them once they crossed that line. Although the movie takes place over a 24 hour period, it was a 2 year experience for me and this movie captured it all,the highest highs and the lowest lows.
What started out as fun turned into a nightmare. I was able to get out and live to tell about it but so many of my friends and associates weren't so lucky.
I came to this site in search of the soundtrack and one song in particular, "Lady Luck". Like someone said earlier the soundtrack is awesome and Lady Luck was on my side.
What started out as fun turned into a nightmare. I was able to get out and live to tell about it but so many of my friends and associates weren't so lucky.
I came to this site in search of the soundtrack and one song in particular, "Lady Luck". Like someone said earlier the soundtrack is awesome and Lady Luck was on my side.
Occasionally, I love to eat alphabet soup
jordondave-2808520 April 2023
1984) Alphabet City
ACTION CRIME DRAMA
Mediocre effort that's overshadowed by many unmemorable 1980's music I would want to forget. Depicting a particular time of New York City's worst slums, when the drug trade was a common occurrence in an area called "Alphabet City". Co-written and directed by Amos Poe uses the "Alphabet City" as a backdrop to showcase a young good looking guy named, Johnny (Vincent Spano) whose making his daily rounds by collecting money with no problems whatsoever. And it starts to complicate matters as soon as his boss instructs him to commit arson to the very building where his mom and sister are residing in, forcing him to chose. Viewers are not given any clear explanation why his boss wants him to do this, putting us in the dark.
Mediocre effort that's overshadowed by many unmemorable 1980's music I would want to forget. Depicting a particular time of New York City's worst slums, when the drug trade was a common occurrence in an area called "Alphabet City". Co-written and directed by Amos Poe uses the "Alphabet City" as a backdrop to showcase a young good looking guy named, Johnny (Vincent Spano) whose making his daily rounds by collecting money with no problems whatsoever. And it starts to complicate matters as soon as his boss instructs him to commit arson to the very building where his mom and sister are residing in, forcing him to chose. Viewers are not given any clear explanation why his boss wants him to do this, putting us in the dark.
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