Product Details

• Actors: Christopher Reeve, Kathy Baker, Mimi Rogers, Jay Patterson, Andre Gregory
• Directors: Jerry Schatzberg
• Writers: David Freeman
• Producers: Evzen Kolar, Menahem Golan, Yoram Globus
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
• VHS Release Date: October 6, 1997
• Run Time: 97 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6300189864
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #117,678 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Stuck for a story idea that will excite his dismissive editor, New York magazine reporter Christopher Reeve hits on a winner: the life of a Manhattan pimp. The editor eats it up, but there's just one problem: Reeve made the whole thing up and now the editor wants more. What's worse, a scarily charismatic pimp (Morgan Freeman) and his top prostitute come looking for the reporter, believing that he was, in fact, writing about them. As they seduce him with access to their world, he becomes more and more trapped by his lies, particularly when a crusading D.A. also takes an interest in just what he knows. Reeve is the bland nougat center in what is otherwise a very tasty little film, given added crunch by the superlatively seductive Freeman and the equally intriguing Baker. --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Morgan Freeman, Good Movie, February 15, 2005

By 

C. O. DeRiemer (San Antonio, Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Street Smart (DVD)

This is a movie that comes so close to being a first-rate thriller that it's disappointing when it misses. It still is a good, hard-edged story, thanks to Morgan Freeman as Leo Smalls, Jr., aka Fast Black, a domineering, charismatic and vicious New York pimp.

Christopher Reeve stars as Jonathan Fisher, a magazine writer who to meet a deadline fakes a story about tough street life and the women and pimps who work it. His main character is just as phoney as the rest of the story, but the article creates a sensation. The DA thinks the pimp in the story is really Fast Black, who is on trial for murder. He wants Fisher's notes, but, of course, Fisher doesn't have any. And then Fast Black, out on bail, sees an opportunity. At first he thinks someone has been talking about him to Fisher and wants to know who. But then he'll show Fisher real street life and verify that he was the character, saving Fisher from journalistic disgrace...but Fisher has to give him an alibi. The story plays out partly through Fisher's squirming attempts to get out of his fix and partly through Fast Black's ruthlessness.

The movie is dominated by Freeman's performance as Fast Black. Fast is a product of the streets, who has survived and flourished because he is ruthless and smart. He can turn violent in an instant, but you're never sure if he's actually lost control. He can be charming and even fascinating. Part of Fisher's problem is that being accepted by Fast Black is a little like being on a drug.

Morgan Freeman over the last few years seems to be the one directors go to when they want world-weary wisdom (Unforgiven, Shawshank, Million Dollar Baby, many others). He can do this kind of stuff with his eyes shut. His turn as a completely believeable, charming, vicious pimp is something to see.

The movie feaures some other strong performances. Kathy Baker plays Punchy, one of Fast Black's prostitutes who befriends Fisher. She still has a few ounces of self respect, and seeing Fast Black terrorize her is not pretty. Andre Gregory plays Fisher's magazine publisher and steals every scene he's in. Shari Hilton as Darlene, another of Fast Black's women, and Erik King as Reggie, Fast Black's muscle and go-fer, make strong impressions.

However, the movie has two weaknesses. Fast Black's story and Fisher's story never quite come together. And Reeve simply doesn't dominate the movie the way his character should. His moral conflict seems more yuppie angst.

Even so, this is a good movie with a first-rate performance. The DVD transfer looks good and there are no extras to speak of.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Matt Kocik, Parker Ford, Pa. "Street Smart" is a must see", August 2, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Street Smart [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Christopher Reeve was great in this film. Morgan Freeman was even better and more serious, this film will somewhat hold your attention because of the pimp state of mind. But never the less it's more hope taken, "Baker" is a superb woman looking for her own modern sex experience, with men or without men. The first hour is "GREAT" but the last half-hour is kind of boring, but it has a reasonable ending, with "LAUGHS AND TEARS"

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Morgan Freeman's favorite role, March 27, 2007

By 

Annie1 "Music lover" (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Street Smart (DVD)

I purchase this movie because Morgan Freeman stated on "Oprah" that the role he played in this movie was his favorite role. I had never heard of the movie, but being a Morgan Freeman fan, I had to search it out. The movie was enjoyable, had a good storyline and is a must-see for Morgan Freeman fans and Christopher Reeve fans.