The Poor & Hungry

Call me crazy, but I really find "The Poor and the Hungry" to be the best Craig Brewer movie to-date. Yes, I know it was shot using little Sony camcorders and edited with pro-sumer type stuff, but it's so gritty, so realistic and so darn good, that I think it might just be one of the best "no budget" films of all time. I could watch this "Digi Flick" (a Brewer term) again and again. The power and elegance of simplicity, the earthy cinematography, the wonderfully controlled acting and fist-rate, unique, storytelling, place P&H high above other Brewer films. Having been to Memphis several times, I thought he did a great job of capturing this somewhat complex, divided and historically relevant city, while telling a heart-felt love story at the same time. Wanted to give this a "7.5" but didn't see an option to do so. If you get a chance to see this moving independent feature, make sure you do.

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.

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?

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.

This was one of the best movies I have seen all year. I am not usually into independent films, but this is defanatly one to see! I would recommend this movie to anyone, as I'm sure that I will. Check around on the Independant channels and tune it!