The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete (2013)

A coming-of-age story about two inner city boys who are left to fend for themselves over the summer after their mothers are taken away by the authorities.

Director:

George Tillman Jr.

Writer:

Michael Starrbury

Stars:

Skylan Brooks, Ethan Dizon, Jordin Sparks

10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Skylan Brooks	...	Mister
Ethan Dizon	...	Pete
Jennifer Hudson	...	Mom Gloria
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje	...	Sergeant Pike
Jordin Sparks	...	Alice
Julito McCullum	...	Dip Stick
Anthony Mackie	...	Kris
Jeffrey Wright	...	Henry
Kenneth Maharaj	...	Store Owner (as Ken Maharaj)
Nikkieli DeMone	...	Officer Redd
Joseph Adams	...	Mr. Carey
Kate Buddeke	...	Neighbor Lady
Joey Auzenne	...	Officer Duckworth
Adriane Lenox	...	Group Home Lady
Kate Geller	...	Assistant

Storyline

A coming-of-age story about two inner city boys who are left to fend for themselves over the summer after their mothers are taken away by the authorities.

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Plot Keywords:

new york city | 

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Taglines:

Only the strong Rise Above.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, some drug use and sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 January 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Inevitável Derrota de Mister & Pete

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$254,279, 13 October 2013, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$487,348, 27 October 2013

Company Credits

Production Co:

iDeal Partners Film Fund, State Street Pictures, Floren Shieh Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This drama features performances byJennifer Hudson and Jordin Sparks, both singers that became famous after their appearances in the American Idol TV show, followed by acting careers.

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Quotes

Mister: I'll be back for you.
Pete: Promise?
Mister: I promise.

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Connections

References The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

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Soundtracks

Mean Ol' Town
Written by Ryan Spraker, Patrick DiCenso, Daniel Ibeh
Performed by EK

User Reviews

"I can't do it alone". . . ."None of us can"

{8.5 stars}

THE INEVITABLE DEFEAT of MISTER & PETE ("IDMP") is not quite as fully realized a story as 2009's PRECIOUS, but it has much the same atmosphere and, of course, shares the gritty down-and-out NYC setting. In other respects, it's a VERY different sort of film. Often stark, frequently amusing,IDMP goes in many unexpected directions.

Partly by necessity, it's rather slow-moving with regular bits of heavy suspense here and there. 60-70% (perhaps a bit too much) of it is confined to the abandoned apartment where the two young boys hide after Mister's mother is arrested. Though far from boring, with a number of turnabouts, IDMP may not completely satisfy those who are expecting more of an urban odyssey.

Skylan Brooks (14-year-old Mister) and Ethan Dizon (Pete, about six years younger) are naturals in their roles, and Brooks does a particularly outstanding job of acting-within-acting. Anthony Mackie also gives a laudable performance as Kris the pimp/drug dealer. Nevertheless, the characters of Mister and Pete are unconvincing in certain respects. Mister sometimes seems a bit TOO noble and crafty for a boy from his background who's failing eighth grade and usually just screams "Fuck you!" and runs off when he gets frustrated. Having said that, I think the point is that having Pete, who's been even more neglected than Mister himself, as a surrogate little brother and ally against the oppressive adult world brings out the very best in Mister, who also discovers the useful and liberating qualities of acting and role-playing in life's struggles. Pete also seems a bit too polite and well-spoken considering his age and background, but again, something would be lost if he were otherwise. One way or another, IDMP is a rich multi-character study of different people in squalid circumstances. It also shows the ethnically diverse atmosphere of Brooklyn without falling to the stereotypes we often encounter in this type of setting.