Rooftops

Rooftops, released in 1989, is a unique drama with a blend of crime thriller and musical energy, set against the backdrop of the urban landscape of New York City's Lower East Side. Directed by Robert Wise, the film masterfully mirrors the gritty, realistic environment of the inner city while adding an element of fantastical escapism through its fusion of unique music and dance styles. This enthralling film stars Jason Gedrick, Troy Byer, and Eddie Velez who deliver exceptional performances that add depth to the movie's engaging plot.

Rooftops buddies us up with the young and carefree protagonist, 'T', magnificently played by Jason Gedrick. 'T' is a homeless teenager who has managed to carve out a life in the vacant buildings' eerie beauty and the raw, intense rooftops of the Lower East Side. The City's rooftops not only provide an escape from the brutal starkness of the streets but become a stage where 'T' and his friends engage in a unique style of dance known as 'combat dancing', incorporating martial arts, tumbling, and break dance moves.

Soon however, T's life of independence and freedom is threatened when drug pushing gangsters appear on the scene, aiming to convert T's squat into a drug den. This confrontation with the drug dealers forces T into a dangerous showdown, a fight for his existence and his home.

Troy Byer stars as 'Elana', a compassionate social worker who becomes involved in T’s life. Byer's character Elana is the one person who genuinely cares about T’s wellbeing and fights tirelessly against the socioeconomic realities of the urban environment that stand in the way of T’s redemption. Elana sees potential in T, and her empathy and efforts to navigate the system in order to help T out gives the movie heart and a touch of sadness at the state of youth abandon.

Eddie Velez's role as the chilling drug lord “Lobo” is an embodiment of the conscienceless malevolence gripping the downtrodden neighborhoods. Lobo ruthlessly exploits the desperate youth, demonstrating the profound influence he holds with an iron hand over the community.

Together, Byer and Gedrick bring to life the harsh reckless realities of inner-city life while inspiring hope and resilience through their spirited performances.

Rooftops is more than just a crime thriller. It blends elements of drama and romance while infusing creatively choreographed dance sequences. The film is also notable for introducing a style of movement that is an original hybrid of martial arts, dance, and gymnastics, executed with a grace that seems oddly at home on the urban concrete stage. These sequences transiently break the movie’s looming strain, offering audiences a glimpse of an invented world free from societal challenges.

The film is passionately directed by Robert Wise, who combines thrilling crime scenes, heartfelt human connections, and hard-to-forget dance sequences, effectively presenting a grim world that is, somehow, also full of life and vibrant energy.

Director Wise paints the rooftop dwellers not as errant misfits but as victims of harsh societal conditions. He tenderly depicts their longing for freedom, their camaraderie, and captures the gritty spirit of survival against the background of urban decay, gang violence, and poverty.

The atmospheric cinematography and the stirring music of Rooftops enhance the overall experience, providing a realistic representation of the grim inner-city streets of New York while simultaneously infusing a musical heartbeat that syncs with the city’s thriving subcultures.

Rooftops is a testament to the courage of young city dwellers, whose desperate circumstances force them to forge their own colorful, hopeful world above the crime-ridden city streets. It explores poverty, crime, drugs, and the overarching theme of survival in a cinematically evocative, artistic manner.

Notably, its realistic plot, captivating performances from the cast, and the groundbreaking combat dance contribute to its uniqueness. The film offers a memorable journey into a world rarely seen and serves as a stark portrayal of issues still relevant today. The balance of drama, romance, thriller, and dance sequences make Rooftops a must-watch for movie enthusiasts who enjoy engaging narratives deeply rooted in social issues.