If you will allow me a personal moment, Fresh was one of the films that I saw at a time when I was really in love with film. I had just moved to England in 1995 and had gone from being a 20 minute drive to a small multiplex chain cinema, to being a 5 minute walk away from the Light House independent cinema in Wolverhampton. Not only was it close but it was cheap and I would regularly go there to see films big and small. I was lucky because this rough period was throwing up things like Usual Suspects, Pulp Fiction and many other really strong films. Fresh was one of these and I remembered thinking it was great but, not having seen it since, I wasn't sure if maybe the period in my life was also giving it a rose-tinted memory in my head.
I watched it again last night and did so as a different person – 35 instead of 18, living comfortably instead of a struggling student; regardless of time and place though, the film still gripped me from start to finish and justifies my memory of it being an excellent film. The plot starts out as a "ghetto" film that fits into the genre of the early 90's (Menace II Society, Boyz n the Hood etc) but then in the middle it becomes much more of a thriller where young Fresh tries to turn the table on his dealing employers in revenge for the murder of one of his friends. Both parts of the film work equally well and merge into each other seamlessly. Just like the construction of the city environment in the opening titles, the film builds on the details and at times the viewer will be a few steps behind Fresh in terms of his plan. It is a dangerous game and there are quite brutal moments in it, but these just help up the tension, of which there is lots.
Yakin directs really well throughout the film and is aided by excellent cinematography, capturing a sense of place really well. The patient orchestral score also fits with this and the slower pace that it can at times have, however all of these qualities (however good they are) tend to get lost in the background of the praise because front and centre is a terrific performance from a very young Sean Nelson. He is the heart of the film and the ability to deliver his character is key – and he nails it. Fresh isn't on a moral quest for what is right, he is very much on a personal mission and he does it by playing cynically with those around him, making sacrifices of both himself and of them. It is a great performance throughout and it is hard to imagine anyone else but him in that role – perfect bit of casting. That he stands up on his own with such a strong support cast is also impressive. Esposito is great despite hamming up his accent and his abs a little bit – amusing to watch this character back through the filter of Breaking Bad as well! Jackson was pushing to the front on the DVD cover due to Pulp Fiction's success, but he is only in a small role, albeit a good one. Beyond them La Marre, Brice, Wright and others are also good.
Almost twenty years old, Fresh is an excellent film that is well made across the board as both a hood movie and a thriller – my memory was not faded, this is a great film.
