The Poor & Hungry

IFC screened this film Christmas Day, and it was a nifty Christmas present! Although I'm not a native Memphian (I landed here in 1989), the opening scenes quickly established Memphis as the setting using a number of easily recognizable landmarks, and managed to portray a very realistic and at the same time sentimental view of the city. So I said to myself, "A movie about Memphis, cool!" and on that basis decided to keep watching.

The next attractor for me was Eric Tate's physical resemblance to someone I know and like personally. So I developed a strong emotional connection to Eli from his very first scene. And then the plot line about Eli's reluctant involvement in a car theft ring hit home with me as well, as I was victimized by just such a ring within two weeks of relocating to Memphis in '89. So within the first few minutes of the film I was hooked three ways. And you know what, it just got better!

Although it took me awhile longer, I did connect with Harper, and I must say Lindsey Roberts stole the acting show with her end-of-the-film closeup portrayal of Harper's grief-stricken heartbreak over the tragedy of Eli's self-sacrifice and Amanda's mis-timed ignorance of it. A great dramatic moment! Nobody with normal emotions could look at Harper's face in that ending scene and not feel the tears welling up in sympathy. I certainly did.

Lake Latimer's Amanda is also poignant and touching. Such a good job playing the exquisitely talented but shy, suffering, lonely introvert with no intimate friends beyond her cello. An unusual, even unique, beauty graces her performance. Especially in the scene where she is alone in Eli's room inspecting his model cars -- Amanda's repressed sexuality longing for expression with Eli, in inner tension with her innocent shyness and fear of intimacy, and the young actresses' body language and facial expressions betraying the struggle. Great stuff from a previously unknown but promising new talent.

The only disappointing element I found is the relatively stiff and somewhat unrealistic, if not hokey, attempts at depicting physical violence and its resulting wounds. Thankfully, the fight scenes in this film are few in number -- the fake blows are more obvious than in an old Western and I found myself wanting to laugh during these serious moments of violence. And there is nowhere near enough bleeding from Eli following his presumed fatal knife wound in the belly. But really a minor distraction from the overall quality of story and characterizations.

The supporting cast does an equally complimentary job. And then the ending credits reveal this film was nearly a one-man production. How about Craig Brewer as writer, director, photographer, editor, and co-producer! Yowza. What a fantastic debut, I'll be getting all my friends to see this one. And I hope one day to stop by the P&H Cafe on Madison and maybe meet Wanda in person -- what a gas.

More involving than at least ninety-percent of all the Hollywood overproduced over-compromised rubbish out there. Why? Better writing, better acting, and better directing. Just look at what you can do with twenty-grand, and real talent. Lindsey Roberts (Harper) is a phenomenal actor. It's painful to see that she has only been cast in one small role since making this movie. The William Morris Agency should be crawling on their knees to her. Writer-director Craig Brewer has scripted a film called `Water's Edge' that comes out on DVD January 27, 2004.

I came across this film on IFC one night, very late. I started watching and though I was really tired, I just couldn't pull myself away. I ended up thinking about it long after the final credits had rolled.

This is a fine film with very strong performances. Like many of the best independent films, you get a fresh story about people you don't know, played by people you don't know. No preconceived notions. You get to learn about their world. And through the strength of the story and the acting, you begin to care about it.

Lyndsay Roberts gives an exceptional performance. I'm surprised I've not seen more of her, or other actors from this film, since. Craig Brewer has gone on to "bigger" things such as Hustle & Flow, and we'll likely see more from him.

I'd really like to see The Poor and Hungry released to DVD so that more people can have access to this nice piece of film making.

I actually registered w/ imdb just to vote on this movie. It was based in Memphis, but I didn't know anyone in the movie, so this isn't biased or anything. I usually don't like "arty" movies (hey, I liked Mystery Men), but this was exceptional. Not what I would expect. The acting, plot, soundtrack, production, everything was great. I paid $7 to see this, and I'd pay $15 to see it again. It's about a reluctant car thief who gets emotionally attached to one of his victims. A gritty look at consequenses. Don't base your decision on what I've written, because I'm not a critic. Just go see it. If you don't like it, I'll send you a Tootsie Roll.

Craig Where Are you man.

I caught The poor and Hungry at the St Louis International film festival and was deeply impressed. It shows that whatever media you choose to tell your story, a good story with an excellent storyteller can place an audience anywhere and move them effectively. Which is what a movie should do. The fact he shot it on digital 8 and a boom mic with very little crew. Nice. Now two questions

What are you doing now?

Where can I buy the DVD?