This is a movie that explains
how crack cocaine flooded the streets of Detroit and the climate of the area
during the Reagan administration.
Cult classic within
the Black film community. 20 minutes into the movie, it is evident that the
story is rich.
I understand the
attempt of this movie. It explores the growth and effects of drugs in the urban
black community and it does so quite well. However, I feel like this movie also
helped to glorify the dealing of drugs unintentionally. Call me crazy but this
film released in the early 90's could be one of the causes for the shift of hip
hop from gritty urban art form into womanizing, drug-dealing pimping because it
seemed to appealing in this film. I'm supposed to hate Nino Brown, but he gets
the women, money and the glory? Hmm....
Also, Chris Rock played a believable crackhead in this film. His acting was superb and his character was the one I felt the worst for in the film because he represented the many victims of the epidemic.
The film begins with a scripture plastered on a brick wall: 1 Cor. 6:8-9
"Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your
brothers and sisters. Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the
kingdom of God? Do not be decieved: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters
nor adulterers..."
Quotable quotes:
"1/3 of the cops
is on Nino's payroll, the other 2/3 don't care unless it affects their
community."
"Let's kick the
balistics. Ain't no Uzi's made in Harlem. Not one of us in here owns a poppy
field. This thing is bigger than Nino Brown. This is big business."
"Idolater!
You're soul is required in hell!"
In director's
commentary:
A candle that burns twice as bright burns twice as fast.
He who has the gold
makes the rules.
Movie ends with:
"Although this is a fictional story, there are Nino browns in every major
city in America. If we don't confront the problem realistically--without empty
slogans and promises--then drugs will continue to destroy our country."
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