Review of Street Smart (1987) by Zane T — 16 Sep 2010
Who would have thought that Morgan Freeman could play a sleazy violent pimp so well. This is the man who encouraged Gen Xers to read on The Electric Company and is now considered a legend of the cinema and of the most sought after actors.
Freeman's performance as well as a performance by Kathy Baker as a prostitute save this movie from the silliness which is evolved from. Basically, Christopher Reeve is a journalist who wants to do a story about a pimp, but when he can't find a source, he makes it up.
Freeman's lawyer and an prosecutor both think that Reeve's story is about Freeman's character, which it isn't. This part of the movie is just ludicrous as the prosecutor keeps badgering Reeve's to give up his notes and a moronic judge jails Reeve in contempt and it's a big mess.
The other part of the story where Reeve finally meets Freeman's character and sees the underbelly of crime is the most interesting. And seeing Freeman has a foul-mouth, woman hitting Yoo-hoo drinking, gold-toothed psychopath is what makes the movie worth watching.
This review of Street Smart (1987) was written by Zane T on 16 Sep 2010.
Street Smart has generally received mixed reviews.
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