La Rue

"Street Smart" is a mostly mediocre movie, (most Globus and Golan productions were mediocre movies), directed by Jerry Schatzberg, (I expected more from the man who made "Scarecrow" and "The Panic in Needle Park"), that still managed to pick up a slew of acting prizes thanks to Morgan Freeman and Kathy Baker, both excellent as a murderous pimp and one of the women who works for him. Between them, they just about redeem an extremely far-fetched story about a journalist, (Christopher Reeves, far from his best), who makes up a story about a New York pimp that is taken to be true by the Establishment and in particular by the courts. There is something rather unpleasant about the stereotyping in a movie that, I gather, is really about the dismantling of stereotypes. It's Reeves' character who comes up with name 'Street Smart' for the title of his article; Street Stupid would have been more approppriate.

I found this movie to be very entertaining and well done, with good performances across the board. I agree with previous reviewers that the late Chris Reeve's performances in other movies, and at times this one, could be seen as wooden. That being said, I think he played his role extremely well, because it was able to work with Morgan Freeman's outbursts and explosions. Because of the problems encountered by his fabricated story, Reeve's performance was handled well being outside of his environment as much as he was. He was unsure and understated, and being a reporter, being unemotional was in his well being. On the other end, Morgan Freeman was fantastic! Seeing him in a role like this makes you want to see him take on a role where he can be the loose cannon. This movie can show what happens when you "create" a story and you do it TOO well. More people should see it and comment on it.

The production team of Golan-Globus didn't turn out many theatrical features which set awards season on fire, but "Street Smart" garnered great acclaim for Morgan Freeman as a tough New York pimp who takes exception to a seamy journalistic expose by writer Christopher Reeve which seems to be based on the pimp's operation; unfortunately (in the long run) for Reeve, he has made the entire story up. Unattractively foul-mouthed, and filmed in brackish color, the movie does manage to give Freeman a chance at exploring a dark, dangerous side that he rarely returned to again. Kathy Baker as a prostitute is also quite good, but Reeve (open-mouthed and vacuous) never loosens up. Not especially well-directed by Jerry Schatzberg, as Freeman looks like he can take care of himself. *1/2 from ****

This film brought Morgan Freeman to my attention for the first time. After, I became a devoted fan. The "scissor scene" between he and Kathy Baker was absolutely chilling and a tribute to both actors. I was mesmerized. The love scene between Christopher Reeves and Baker was sensuality personified.