Changing the Game (2012)

An epic tale about a supremely intelligent young African-American male who rises from the ferocious and oppressive streets of North Philadelphia to being a shining star in the lucrative ... See full summary »

Director:

Rel Dowdell

Writers:

Aaron R. Astillero (screenplay), Rel Dowdell (screenplay)

Stars:

Jakobi Alvin, Suzzanne Douglas, Thomas Staten

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jakobi Alvin	...	Young Darrell Barnes (as JaKobi Alvin)
Suzzanne Douglas	...	Mrs. Davis
Thomas Staten	...	Young Andre 'Dre' Newell
Karen Issac	...	Ms. Brown
Summer Valentine	...	Angelina
Irma P. Hall	...	Grandma Barnes
Dennis L.A. White	...	Dre as an Adult (as Dennis LA White)
Sean Riggs	...	Darrell as an Adult
Shannon Dorsey	...	Nichole
Tony Todd	...	Curtis the Diabolical / FBI Agent
Kendia Jones	...	Reba Jones (as Kendia R. Jones)
Ernest Butts	...	Troy
Sticky Fingaz	...	Craig (as Kirk 'Sticky Fingaz' Jones)
Nicoye Banks	...	Goldie
Brandon Ruckdashel	...	Marty Levine

Storyline

An epic tale about a supremely intelligent young African-American male who rises from the ferocious and oppressive streets of North Philadelphia to being a shining star in the lucrative world of high finance at Wall Street's most prestigious firm. However, he soon finds that the white-collar world is filled with crime and death just like the drug-filled hood he left behind. His only chance of survival is to fully integrate a mysterious gift from a slain childhood friend fully into the fabric of his character.

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Plot Keywords:

grandmother as mother | 

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Taglines:

When the game changes, so does everything you thought you had seen.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language throughout, some drug content, sexuality/nudity and violence

Did You Know?

Quotes

Curtis the Diabolical: At least ya saw the face of the devil before you died.

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Soundtracks

His Gangster's Affair
Written by Eddie Caldwell
Produced by Eddie Caldwell

User Reviews

Very effective, very poignant, very ambitious

This film was one that was one of the most pleasant surprises I've seen this year. I really did not know what to expect. What I got was one of the most ambitious and satisfying journeys in film that I have seen in a very, very long time. Protagonist Darrell Barnes takes us on a journey from childhood to adulthood where he learns that the unforgiving streets of North Philadelphia and the corporate private rooms of Wall Street are cut from the same corrupt cloth with many memorable characters in between. The film, for an independent, is truly ambitious in every regard. The cast is eclectic and consummate, and one scene in particular brought me to tears with its realism and heartfelt emotion. I also commend the chutzpah to pull of that very clever surprise ending. Kudos to the filmmaker and the entire production team from top to bottom for not being afraid to venture into unchartered independent film territory and pull it off so well.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 May 2012 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Philly First Entetainment, Pendragon Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Color:

Color