Street Smart

Street Smart is a captivating drama from 1987 starring the iconic Christopher Reeve, who is best known for his unforgettable role as Superman. Reeve portrays a much different character this time as Jonathan Fisher, a young, ambitious magazine journalist based in New York City. Sharing the screen with him are Kathy Baker and Mimi Rogers, who skillfully enhance the plot with their multifaceted performances. With Murray Schisgal and David Freeman at the helm of screenwriting, director Jerry Schatzberg brilliantly brings to life this story filled with tension, ambition, betrayal, and the ever-evolving grays of moral ambiguity.

The plot of Street Smart immerses you in the world of investigative journalism, presenting a thought-provoking look at the ethical dilemmas that can arise in the unrelenting pursuit of a good story. Christopher Reeve's character, Jonathan Fisher, is under great pressure to write a compelling article on a New York-based pimp. Under the tight deadline and unable to get his subject to disclose his true life, Fisher decides to create a fictional character named Tyrone instead. This draws from stereotypes he believes to be true about life in the underbelly of the city.

his attempt to create a sensational story, Fisher unknowingly brings on a series of events that slowly spiral out of control. His deception lands the wrong man behind bars when the descriptions of his fabricated character incidentally match with an actual city pimp named Fast Black, effectively portrayed by Morgan Freeman in an Oscar-nominated role. Freeman skillfully portrays his character’s menacing yet charismatic persona that convincingly has both the law enforcement and the streets under his swaggering charm.

As the plot unfolds, Fisher's fabricated article is celebrated by his colleagues and the public, skyrocketing his career. Simultaneously, it puts him in a moral and legal quandary as he watches Fast Black go on trial for a crime he didn't commit. Kathy Baker adeptly portrays Punchy, Fast Black's alluring yet tormented girlfriend and a streetwise prostitute, who grows closer to Fisher and further complicates this sticky web of deception and collateral damage. Fisher's struggle with guilt, fear, and the exhilarating taste of his newfound fame forms the crux of the film, holding the audience captive until the end.

Mimi Rogers delivers a seamlessly persuasive performance as Alison Parker, Fisher’s girlfriend who works for a district attorney. Her character is initially supportive and unsuspecting of the chaos that Fisher sets forth with his elaborate ruse but later becomes inherently involved in the mess. Her transformation from an innocent bystander to a forced participant unravelling the truth amplifies the suspense built into the storyline.

Street Smart provides a raw and unfiltered portrait of New York City in the late '80s, particularly the underground world that many turn a blind eye to. Asides from the gripping tale of deception and the complex character portrayals, Street Smart is notable for its stunning cinematography. Director of photography, Adam Holender, paints a vivid picture of the city with his keen eye for details, whether it be the opulent homes of magazine publishers or the grimy back alleys of Manhattan. The film excels in peeling back the layers of New York City, presenting an authentic depiction of the extremes that exist within the city's social spectrum.

The movie's musical score provides a compelling backdrop to the unfolding drama. Composer Robert Irving III lends his musical ingenuity to the soundscape of Street Smart, creating a masterful blend of Jazz and blues that beautifully mirrors the highs and lows, the grim and glitz of New York City life and ultimately, the film's complex narrative.

Street Smart is not just another crime-drama film but is a thoughtful exploration of the human condition, the lengths one goes to secure success, and the dilemma of blurred ethical lines. It powerfully highlights the implications of misinformation, and the ripple effects it can have on multiple lives, and on society at large. Street Smart is a must-watch for those who appreciate intricate character studies, ethical dilemmas, and the darker corners of a city that never sleeps.