Review of Street Smart (1987) by Walter M — 21 Sep 2007
[font=Century Gothic]In "Street Smart," a magazine journalist, Jonathan Fisher(Christopher Reeve), has trouble researching an article about a pimp, even after interviewing Punchy(Kathy Baker), a prostitute, so he fabricates the article, instead. As a result of the article being a hit, he becomes the toast of the town. But the district attorney feels that the imagined pimp is Fast Black(Morgan Freeman) who is charged with murder, and would like to have a word with Fisher...[/font].
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[font=Century Gothic]"Street Smart" has a neat premise but the subpar execution leaves it being little more than a B-movie. The seedy Times Square of this film has long vanished and AIDS is never mentioned. But what is not dated is its take on journalistic ethics which remains especially relevant in this day and age.[/font].
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[font=Century Gothic]Christopher Reeve makes for an especially weak lead. And it does take some getting used to Kathy Baker playing a prositute but she is very good. Morgan Freeman is excellent in his breakout role. While he never played this type of character again, he would also never again be so virile on screen.("Glory" and "Driving Miss Daisy" were soon on the horizon for him.)[/font].
This review of Street Smart (1987) was written by Walter M on 21 Sep 2007.
Street Smart has generally received mixed reviews.
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