Street Smart (1987)

A New York journalist lies when his fake story about a pimp describes a real pimp up for murder.

Director:

Jerry Schatzberg

Writer:

David Freeman

Stars:

Christopher Reeve, Kathy Baker, Mimi Rogers

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christopher Reeve	...	Jonathan Fisher
Kathy Baker	...	Punchy
Mimi Rogers	...	Alison Parker
Jay Patterson	...	Leonard Pike
Andre Gregory	...	Ted Avery
Morgan Freeman	...	Fast Black
Anna Maria Horsford	...	Harriet
Frederick Rolf	...	Joel Davis
Erik King	...	Reggie
Michael J. Reynolds	...	Art Sheffield
Shari Hilton	...	Darlene
Donna Bailey	...	Yvonne
Ed Van Nuys	...	Judge
Daniel Nalbach	...	Singer
Rick Aviles	...	Solo

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

pimp | murder | new york city | stabbing | prostitute | 

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Taglines:

Everything you say can and will be held against you.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 March 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Armação Perigosa

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$325,835, 22 March 1987, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,119,112

Company Credits

Production Co:

Golan-Globus Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (TVC)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Christopher Reeve had the script in his possession for a long time, before he agreed to make it. Reeve had read a few pages, and felt it wasn't for him, before dumping the script on a pile of other screenplays in his bedroom. A few weeks later, he picked it up and decided to try again, and instantly liked the script. He made the material his next project.

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Goofs

Right when Punch and her pimp enter the party, the editor announces them at the door..They cut to a woman on the stairs and Punchies leopard skin leotard clad legs are stretched out behind her. They have a scene on the stairs a few minutes later.

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Quotes

[repeated lines]
Jonathan Fisher: This is Jonathan Fisher, Channel 3, Street Smart!

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Burglar/Hollywood Shuffle/Street Smart/Beyond Therapy (1987)

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Soundtracks

Payin For It Now
Written by D. Amy & Robert Cray
Performed by The Robert Cray Band
Published by Calhoun St. Music (BMI)
Administered by Bug Music
Courtesy of Hightone Records & Bug Music

User Reviews

Superman on a different roll...

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.