Straight Out of Brooklyn

The memorable debut feature by Matty Rich begins by asking the question: what do you know about being black? The answer is a familiar but powerful display of rage and desperation, set in the same, miserable Red Hook housing project where Rich himself grew up. It's a simple, straightforward film, surprisingly polished given the inexperience behind the camera (the entire cast and crew were hired through newspaper want ads), and remarkable because writer/director/producer Rich was only 19 years old when the film was released. His basic plot, about an angry teenager's reckless plan to escape the cycle of poverty by robbing a local drug lord, is direct and unambiguous, and the outline hasn't been embellished by any visual style. But the understated script and a talented cast transform what could have been a hopeless melodrama into a gripping, heartfelt tragedy (but not entirely grim: a measure of humor is provided by some inspired comic banter).

Postcript: at the time I thought the film might have trouble surviving the rush of 1991 summer blockbusters, but Matty Rich was a name to remember: he already showed more confidence and depth of feeling than many veteran directors. Sadly, that potential was never fulfilled: Rich would direct only one more feature before disappearing into undeserved obscurity.

When I was little I remember seeing this movie on tape that my older brother once had and I enjoyed for what it was entirely but having just saw it I felt it that Matty Rich's first movie was a fairly decent movie, not as good as "BoyZ In The Hood" or "Menace To Society" directed by more talented people who know their material inside and out. The acting is decent but to me it got really emotional near the end of the movie. Overall, this film is not hard-hitting per Se, but it shows that desperation can sometimes lead to "success" however a dark cloud hangs over the victims that comes along with it. Not Matty Rich's best work, but it's a solid film for what it is so there's no crime in not seeing it at least once.

This film has many flaws, but many strengths as well. Many luminaries in the film industry have openly criticized this film. I feel much of this is unjustified, because a lot was done on a miniscule budget here. There is also a great performance in George T. Odom's portrayal of the fed up father who has been beaten down by racism. Anyone who has grown up in a low income household can relate to that situation. The ending is sad and real. Also especially noteworthy is Harold Wheeler's excellent and despondent musical score.

I have seen at least 450 films from the "Urban" genre, and I have to say I am always perplexed by this film. If you are someone who is fussy about the aesthetics and the technical aspects of a film, you do not want to see this film. However, if you are looking for a film with strong performances by black actors, or a film with a look at life in the projects, this is the film for you. I think sometimes when we talk about project life we imagine a certain picture or image. This film deals a lot more with the mindsets of people in the projects. The most powerful performance is by George T. Odom, whose monologues and multi-personalities combine for a great example of a struggling black man. Larry Gillard Jr. is also in this film(the man who played D'Angelo Barksdale in HBO's The Wire) and he delivers a relatively impressive performance as a ordinary kid in the projects. Overall this is an impressive film with no budget. The one thing you need to be warned about is at times it is so low budget it will sometimes look as it was scenes from staged plays. I also wish the supporting cast was made up of better actors. I like this film, enough that i look at scenes from it once and a while when I myself am studying character archetypes.

Being from NY originally, one often drives by the Red Hook section, this film doesn't skim the surface, everyone should see it.

While it was a low budget film, the acting is first-rate. George Odom is the father, I also thought the mother was realistically portrayed by Ann D. Sanders... as a woman who simply has no options, and is worried about her son and daughter. When she tries to get help from the employment agency, we see the hypocrisy of the counselor, telling her to get help, when she clearly has no intention of offering help.

Larry Gilliard Jr. is excellent as Dennis (he also had a recent role in "The Machinist", with Christian Bale, where he was quite good). This movie is worth seeing because you feel for the characters, it is not just gratuitous violence, and deals with the mindset of the characters.

Hopefully, Matty Rich will make more movies of this genre. Highly recommended.