Chapter & Verse (2017)

Upon his return from serving a eight-year sentence in prison, reformed gang leader, S. Lance Ingram, struggles to adapt to a changed Harlem. Unable to use the technological skills he ... See full summary »

Director:

Jamal Joseph

Writers:

Jamal Joseph, Daniel Beaty

Stars:

Daniel Beaty, Loretta Devine, Omari Hardwick

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Daniel Beaty	...	Lance
Loretta Devine	...	Miss Maddy
Omari Hardwick	...	Jomo
Selenis Leyva	...	Yolanda
Marc John Jefferies	...	B-Rock
Khadim Diop	...	Ty
Justin Martin	...	G-Rod
Muhammad Cunningham	...	Ronny Ron (as Muhammed Cunningham)
Gabrielle Rembert	...	Shay
Gary Perez	...	Mr. Morris
Bryonn Bain	...	Rome
Steve Cannon	...	Blind Man
David D. Wright	...	Mr. Sonny
Kapil Bawa	...	Pakistani Store Owner
Josh Alscher	...	Paul Cohen (as Joshua Alscher)

Storyline

Upon his return from serving a eight-year sentence in prison, reformed gang leader, S. Lance Ingram, struggles to adapt to a changed Harlem. Unable to use the technological skills he acquired in jail, Lance is forced to accept a position delivering meals for a local food bank. It is here that he befriends Ms. Maddy, 75, a past beauty with a irreverent and hardened shell to whom he delivers dinners. Through her, Lance finds hope, relearning the joys of life and living despite the outwardly bedeviled society in which they find themselves.

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Taglines:

A Harlem Story

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, drug use, some violence and sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 February 2017 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Harlem, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$32,713, 3 February 2017, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$84,147, 19 March 2017

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Bubble Factory, Harlem Film Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

User Reviews

A stunning movie that deserves wide distribution

I just saw this movie, which had a brief run at a theater in Harlem and was a NY Times Critic's Pick. The lead actor co-wrote the screenplay with the director. It's a sophisticated film that was made on location in Harlem, with a focus on the difficulties of life after prison for someone trying to stay out of trouble and also ties of friendship and family in a longstanding and complex community. The lead character, out on parole, is given a job delivering food to shut-ins, many living in public housing, a device that places him in a number of situations that advance plot and character revelation. Each character the film is deeply individual and they illuminate different aspects of the protagonist's life. I hope Chapter and Verse becomes more widely known, at least through streaming.