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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pay Attention Knuckleheads.........., March 4, 2002
First Time Felon is the true story of Greg Yance, at one time a high-ranking and criminally successful member of the Vice Lords street gang living in inner city Chicago. As one of his gang responsibilities, he oversees a crew of "Westside Chicago" drug dealers. During a police sweep, Yance is arrested and found in possession of heroin. While awaiting trial, he is housed in the infamous Cook County Jail where his "Set" is outnumbered and besieged by rival gang members and he witnesses firsthand, acts of violence that he had never experienced before. After being saddled with an inept and overworked Public Defender, he is plead out "guilty as charged," and owing to the large quantity of narcotics, is sentenced to a mandatory 5 years incarceration in Statesville Prison without the possibility of parole. Due to the fact that this is Yance's first felony arrest (i.e. "First Time Felon") the judge allows him to choose the option of successfully completing a three month boot camp program and probation in lieu of serving the full prison sentence. While in boot camp Yance is subjected to the unaccustomed and rigorous daily ritual of the program, a brutal (and brutally honest) prison guard and a rival gang member who has vowed to, and attempts to kill him. With steely determination Yance overcomes these and other obstacles including a devastating flood, and rehabilitates himself in the process. Once graduated and released from the program, Yance vows never to return, but faces adversity and discrimination in his quest to find employment and stay away from the temptations of his former life. After several years of hardship and many justifications to return to the streets, Yance holds true to his vow, perseveres, and finds a career as a county counselor for at risk youth.
The story demonstrates the dire consequences of life on the street and the severe reality of incarceration. The main focus of the narrative is that no matter what your environment, with dedication, self-discipline and persistence, every person is capable of change and self-improvement, and if you are determined and refuse to accept failure, all goals are achievable.
Although this film demonstrates in graphic detail the stark realities, bleak conditions and hopelessness faced by inner city youth, and at times utilizes coarse language to emphasize a point; the story of Greg Yance has an uplifting and inspirational message for everyone and should be viewed by teachers and students alike. The last quarter of the film details Mr. Yance hitting "rock bottom" despite an exemplary effort to succeed, then in a moment of clarity, avoiding a fatal mistake by recognizing the true principles he discovered during his confinement.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Movie... You wont be sorry that you spent time watching it., August 2, 2006
This is a type of movie someone usually looks at on the shelf and then passes it up for something else because they've never heard of it and it isnt one of those highly advertised block busters. If you fall in that category and cant make up your mind about spending a little money and time on this movie... stop thinking and go for it! You wont be sorry. This is a VERY good movie especially if you like heart warming and inspirational themes.
Basically, this movie is about a young adult(Age between 17 and 21) that gets into trouble for selling drugs. He is given the choice of going to jail for five years or going to a military style boot camp for I think three months.... Of course he chooses the bootcamp. The movie shows a great example of how behavioral bootcamps are ran. The bootcamp part of the movie takes up only half of the play time though. The other half shows the struggles of how hard it is to go back to the same problematic environment and use what was learned and how easily it is to fall back into old behaviors due to poverty and lack of opportunity due to being a felon. For example, it shows how hard it is to get a "second chance" in the job market being a ex-convict.
I agree with the past posters that this movie would be great to show in an educational setting especially college.... maybe even a high school psychology/sociology class. With that said dont take that as this movie being like a documentary... its not. With out a doubt this can be watched for just pure entertainment.
So give this a try if you can't make up your mind. Again you wont be sorry.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
BEST EXAMPLE FOR A GANGBANGER TO CLEAN UP THEIR ACT!, April 14, 2000
OMAR EPPS SHOWS A GREAT PERFORMANCE.I WOULD RECOMMENED THIS MOVIE TO TROUBLED TEENS THAT LIKE TO BE PUNKS,GANGBANGERS,DRUG DEALERS AND SO ON.THIS MOVIE HELPED ME WALK THE RIGHT PATH FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.I ALSO LIKED THE MOVIE BECAUSE IT TAKES PART IN CHICAGO WHERE I USED TO LIVE.FOR THE PARENTS OUT THERE BUY THIS AND LET YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER SIT DOWN AND WATCH IT BY THEMSELVES MAYBE IT WOULD KNOCK SOME SENSE INTO THEIR THICK SCULLS.ANOTHER THING "TREACH" FROM THE RAP GROUP NAUGHTY BY NATURE PLAYS A HUGE ROLE IN IT.
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