Description

A country and western singer jeopardizes his marriage and his career when he has an affair with the young daughter of his longtime musical sidekick. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

What's Not to Like?
One of the feel-good movies of the 80s, "Honeysuckle Rose" wears well. Willie Nelson plays Buck Bonham, a country superstar (surprise!) who's about to go out on tour when he loses a key member of the band. No problem. Buck's loyal, loving wife (Dyan Cannon), herself a former superstar and now Buck's business manager, books the young, attractive, and professionally untried daughter of a longtime family friend (Slim Pickens) to temporarily join the tour until a seasoned replacement can be found. It turns out the girl (Amy Irving, young, sexy, and beautiful) can really belt out a tune. And that's not all.

Before you can say "broken heart," Buck and the girl are in bed together, and their mutual passion is there for all to see as they sing together on stage (by the way, Irving has one heck of a voice, and her duets with Nelson are sweet and lovely). How long will it take for the Missus to find out?

Despite the open disapproval of his band members and country friends such as Amy Harris (who has a couple of solos as well), Buck continues the dangerous affair--until somebody tips off his wife and she appears unexpectedly at one of the concert venues. There ensues a great deal of melodrama, most of it played out in song, like the classic "You Were Always On My Mind." Unfortunately, Cannon, who is supposed to be a country great in this movie, sings as well, and her flat, untrained and grating voice is just awful.

The plot sidesteps into a silly trip to Mexico with Slim Pickens, the outraged father and friend, during which Bonham comes to his senses. All works out just fine in the end, and the viewer ends up smiling, humming country songs, and rewinding the tape to start it up all over again.

"Honeysuckle Rose" a totally entertaining film.
Honeysuckle Rose once again proves that a great singer, Willie Nelson, can be, and usually is, a more than competent actor. Buoyed up with outstanding performances by Dyan Cannon, Amy Irving and Slim Pickens, Willie more than holds his own in this totally entertaining and music- filled portrayal of life on the road as a country musician. Most of Willie's million-seller hits are included along the way. It is a realistic and satisfying account of journeymen musician's lives, including the creative energy they must generate to be a success and the foibles they often display enroute. Don't miss it.

A true-to-life image of music on the road
While it certainly does not hurt to be a Willie Nelson fan to enjoy this movie, anybody (whether into rock, country, folk, etc...) wanting to see a humerous and serious true-to-life movie about playing music on the road should see this. The acting is great and the plot and content is superb.

Classic, true outlaw-country road movie
Willie nelson plays Buck Bonham, a country singer based on his own person. The movie makes you relive the time Willie Nelson was at one of his peaks. Great music, and although the storieline is a little weak, the settings and music make up for it a 100 percent. It's the only movie I know of that can be watched hundreds of times without getting boring. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

What's Not to Like?
One of the feel-good movies of the 80s, "Honeysuckle Rose" wears well. Willie Nelson plays Buck Bonham, a country superstar (surprise!) who's about to go out on tour when he loses a key member of the band. No problem. Buck's loyal, loving wife (Dyan Cannon), herself a former superstar and now Buck's business manager, books the young, attractive, and professionally untried daughter of a longtime family friend (Slim Pickens) to temporarily join the tour until a seasoned replacement can be found. It turns out the girl (Amy Irving, young, sexy, and beautiful) can really belt out a tune. And that's not all.

Before you can say "broken heart," Buck and the girl are in bed together, and their mutual passion is there for all to see as they sing together on stage (by the way, Irving has one heck of a voice, and her duets with Nelson are sweet and lovely). How long will it take for the Missus to find out?

Despite the open disapproval of his band members and country friends such as Amy Harris (who has a couple of solos as well), Buck continues the dangerous affair--until somebody tips off his wife and she appears unexpectedly at one of the concert venues. There ensues a great deal of melodrama, most of it played out in song, like the classic "You Were Always On My Mind." Unfortunately, Cannon, who is supposed to be a country great in this movie, sings as well, and her flat, untrained and grating voice is just awful.

The plot sidesteps into a silly trip to Mexico with Slim Pickens, the outraged father and friend, during which Bonham comes to his senses. All works out just fine in the end, and the viewer ends up smiling, humming country songs, and rewinding the tape to start it up all over again.

"Honeysuckle Rose" a totally entertaining film.
Honeysuckle Rose once again proves that a great singer, Willie Nelson, can be, and usually is, a more than competent actor. Buoyed up with outstanding performances by Dyan Cannon, Amy Irving and Slim Pickens, Willie more than holds his own in this totally entertaining and music- filled portrayal of life on the road as a country musician. Most of Willie's million-seller hits are included along the way. It is a realistic and satisfying account of journeymen musician's lives, including the creative energy they must generate to be a success and the foibles they often display enroute. Don't miss it.

A true-to-life image of music on the road
While it certainly does not hurt to be a Willie Nelson fan to enjoy this movie, anybody (whether into rock, country, folk, etc...) wanting to see a humerous and serious true-to-life movie about playing music on the road should see this. The acting is great and the plot and content is superb.

Classic, true outlaw-country road movie
Willie nelson plays Buck Bonham, a country singer based on his own person. The movie makes you relive the time Willie Nelson was at one of his peaks. Great music, and although the storieline is a little weak, the settings and music make up for it a 100 percent. It's the only movie I know of that can be watched hundreds of times without getting boring. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Best Political Film Ever
This is the best political film ever made. Other films distort, simplify or just plain get wrong what federal politics is like at the highest levels. As one who used to work in the White House, I can tell you that this is the only film that understands and reveals what the game is really like.

This is the best film Alan Alda ever made, and Meryl Streep and Rip Torn are both very strong as well. This film MUST be reissued in DVD! Criterion Collection--are you listening? Please!

Okay political film
If you're into politics, you might enjoy this film. Supposedly, its a very realistic view of the U.S. Senate and as such, it'll be interesting for those of us who consider Allen Drury to be light reading. As a film, though, its somewhat draggy and very much a product of the late, self-righteous 1970s. Alan Alda is a young Senator named Joe Tynan, an ambitious liberal who has an affair with Meryl Streep that leads to his perfect world starting to collapse around him. There's not really much of a plot to the film -- its mostly a collection of scenes of Tynan campaigning, cheating, and legislating. Some films work without a clearly defined plot but this film just seems to be sort of a mess. Alan Alda was brave to play a character who is, occasionally, rather unsympathetic but at the same time, Tynan still carries a lot of the smug, self-righteousness that Alda brought to the final seasons of M*A*S*H so if you disliked Alda on that show, this movie probably isn't for you. That said, this film also contains one of Meryl Streep's few truly genuine, human performances (she doesn't fall back on the obvious "actorly" technique that's marred recent performances) and she's actually quite sexy in a role that I'm sure screenwriter Alda thought would come across as "liberated" but actually smacks of a certain unacknowledged sexism (for she may be a smart, accomplished, independent activist but she's still basically there to have sex with and sing the praises of Joe Tynan). Two of Alda's fellow Senators are played brilliantly by Melvyn Douglas and Rip Torn (who at times seemes to be playing Pennsylvania's own Snarlin' Arlen Specter though the film actually predates Specter's election). Highly praised at the time, the film is mostly forgotten today but it has its occasional moments.

Super-great
This overlooked gem may be both Streep and Alda's greatest film. As one to whom politics is both life and life's work, I can counsel you that this is one of the most realistic political films ever, not to mention one of the most enjoyable. See it and be convinced. Also, don't miss Rip Torn--I once worked for a Senator just like the character he plays!

It sucks
This is a boring type-cast story that leaves you feeling like "so, why did I have to watch that ?" Depressing, with no entertainment value, not to mention it's very dated. When Alan Alda was a movie star, the world was a much different place than it is now. Maybe, that's why the movie doesn't ring true. Anyway, I don't recommend it.

The greatest political satire/drama of all time
There is no doubt that this is a great movie. It engages its audience and provides them with an experience that will surely stand as a film that will inspire you to pull through the Doldrums of a hard day or if you're going through a difficult time in life, this will give you hope at the other end of the tunnel. It concerns a young liberal senator by the name of Joe Tynan (Alan Alda in his hreatest performance ever besides Hawkeye on M*A*S*H ) who has everything. A beautiful wife (Barbara Harris), children, and happiness. But he has a fling with his attractive female partner (Meryl Streep) and his life is literally going to fall apart. Eventually, his wife finds out and she learns to understand her husband's troubles and I feel, that at the resolution, she forgives him and gives him another chance. But there is fireworks between Joe and another senator friend because he testified against him in a case in which he lead just to earn him some publicity. ... Read more

Amazon.com

One of the great lost buddy films of the 1970s, this Jerry Schatzberg movie somehow never found its audience, despite the fact that both lead actors were riding high: Hackman from The French Connection, Pacino from The Godfather. They play a pair of drifters, seeing America by thumb, who hook up and discover unexpected soul mates in each other. Hackman is the loner who would rather pile on another layer of clothes than chance letting someone get close to him; Pacino is the likably funny loser who gets under Hackman's skin and teaches him to open up. Together, they hatch a plan to save up and buy their own car wash. But try as they do to keep each other out of trouble, their friendship provides only limited protection, though each take something positive away. Endearing performances that never sink to sentimentality; Pacino, in particular, proves that he could just as easily have been a screen comic as one of the great dramatic actors. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Very beautiful and touching movie
This one of the funniest and greatest movies I've ever seen.

Hackman and Pacino did a really great acting.Al Pacino has

a great sense of humor and he adds a funny moments for this

sad and tragidy movie.I hope that Warner Bros release this

masterpiece on DVD as soon as possible.I don't know why Gene

Hackman and Al Pacino didn't work together again because they

were both terrific in this movie.

Extrodinary
This is a movie that i i first heard it was next on the teli. I sorta looked with "one eye". I was't or still isn't a fan of Gene Hackman!. Though when i saw the name Al Pacino i got focused!. I can say one movie that al pacino made that is bad!. After realizing that it was when he was young. I opened my eyes even more!. The thing is with this movie; is that the first 5 seconds make you laugh.

And the movie has no peak... ...Dont missunderstand me! im saying the peak allways rises! but never falls! its just getting better and better. Gene Hackman in my opinion made his best film ever. And Al Pacino made as great as allways. Very unusual role to him and it fits him a little to well 8). I wish you could see him more in films with a characther like this.

Its truly amazing. See it! its a must!.

Create a petition for a DVD release!
This, Save The Tiger and Duel are probably the most under-appreciated films of the seventies decade. They all need a DVD release. Please, if there is anyone who reads this with a little pull, help this film along to a DVD release, or at least help start a petition. I would sign a petition for this film on Amazon if it existed...

I'd buy it if I could...
Caught this movie on television and only watched it because I am a fan of Al Pacino. I ended up loving it and I'm surprised to see that it's not available on DVD. It's a great movie; funny, touching, interesting, with amazing performances by Pacino and Hackman.

An Overlooked Gem
The gift of a "last match" sparks a friendship between two drifters. Max (Gene Hackman), an ex-con, is a tough, cynical, angry man ("I don't love anybody, I don't trust anybody, and I can tear the ass out of an elephant"). Lionel (Al Pacino), recently back from sea, moves at a different tempo. His theory is that laughter is the key (the farmer's scarecrow makes the crows laugh, so they leave him alone out of appreciation).

Lionel's generosity with the match brings the two diverse characters together, and soon Max reveals his plan to open a car wash in Pittsburgh, and invites "Lion" to "go in bidness" with him. So, they're off to Pennsylvania, with two stops along the way -- a visit to Max's sister in Denver, and then up to Detroit for a confrontation between Lionel and the pregnant girl he abandoned.

Their contradictory personalities act as a magnet that pulls each towards a middle ground, as Max begins to soften in the warmth of his newfound friendship, and events occur that cause Lionel to question his "scarecrow" theory.

Hackman creates an unforgettable character in Max. I've seen most of his work, which obviously includes the award-winning performance in "The French Connection", and this is his best. I think that there is a lot of Gene Hackman infused into "Max", I see pieces of this character in all of his other roles. That's not to slight Al Pacino, who does a fine job as the diminutive Lionel, moving towards a critical and uncertain reunion.

This film grows on you, like a friendship. It has been largely ignored, and deserves a better fate. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Misunderstood Is Misunderstood!
Very underrated movie starring Gene Hackman and Henry Thomas. A tearjerker! The movie's title is Misunderstood and I would say that the movie is misunderstood, it's misunderstood by Critics who say this is too depressing, but with it's subject matter how can it not be a little depressing? It's about a family emotionally torn apart after the mother dies and the father a wealthy workaholic businessman played by Gene Hackman is so grief stricken by his wife's death that he ignores his two young sons not realizing that they are in as much pain as he is becoming a very dysfunctional family, he is especially hard on the oldest son played by Henry Thomas who is very misunderstood by his father which leads to a tragedy for him. Even though the movie is a little depressing it's still a good movie and not every movie has to be a light weight piece of fluff were everyone is happy all the time! Critics probably find it too depressing because it's realistic and lets face it no one is happy all the time. Watch this only If you can tolerate a sad movie but if you find sad movies too depressing than avoid! The underated movie Should be on DVD.

MUST SEE MOVIE!!!!!
This is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE MOVIES! It's in the top five on my favorite movie list and it's been at the top of that list since they day I saw it. Fabulous acting by all the cast members. This movie is not about being a Gene Hackman fan or Henry Thomas fan, although I am a fan of both. It's about human emotion and family relationships, namely father and son. It's a story that really draws you in so that you relate to the characters. I cry every time I see this film so you might want to have some tissues on hand. If you like a good drama, then you'll definitely like this movie. ENJOY THE SHOW! Eagerly awaiting the DVD version!

Gene Hackman at his best
You'll never find a more moving film than this. It is Gene Hackman at his best. At times you hate him and at others you cry for him. One of my all time favorites. Wish it were out on DVD.

Underappreciated and Underrated!
I liked this movie, it was a sad tear jearker and I don't always like sad movies but this one I liked, I liked the actors Gene Hackman, cute Henry Thomas and the adorable Huckleberry Fox and I liked the plot. I recommend this highly. Just be prepared to cry and make sure you have a box of tissues handy.

I guess I didn't understand it
I would give it zero stars and say it was one of the worst movies I have ever seen, if I could. But I can't, because I didn't see the whole thing. I walked out of the theater halfway through. The ONLY time I've ever done that. I don't understand how the brilliant Gene Hackman got into this. Maybe he wanted a challenge. If you are a true Hackman enthusiast and must see everything he's ever made, I suggest you rent this first and think hard before shelling out and buying it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Stuck for a story idea that will excite his dismissive editor, New York magazine reporter Christopher Reeve hits on a winner: the life of a Manhattan pimp. The editor eats it up, but there's just one problem: Reeve made the whole thing up and now the editor wants more. What's worse, a scarily charismatic pimp (Morgan Freeman) and his top prostitute come looking for the reporter, believing that he was, in fact, writing about them. As they seduce him with access to their world, he becomes more and more trapped by his lies, particularly when a crusading D.A. also takes an interest in just what he knows. Reeve is the bland nougat center in what is otherwise a very tasty little film, given added crunch by the superlatively seductive Freeman and the equally intriguing Baker. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (4)

ordinary film but Morgan FreeMan takes it up a notch
saw this film years ago&thought it was fairly hit&miss at best. this was when Christopher Reeve was still a A-list Actor.but Morgan Freeman [was really good]here.He has gone on to become one of the Greatest Actors Ever.the Guy continues to take His craft further&adds so much depth to His roles.this film was a step along the road to Greater things.

High points worth it.
This is an uneven movie. And while movie ad excerpt quotes praising performances are almost always the sign of a stinker (damning with faint praise), in this case, I think Morgan Freeman's performance is worth this movie alone. It's nuanced, and a perfect study of a sociopathic personality. Freeman plays a total predator, who will brutalize without conscience, but will pour on immense charm in the next second as a way of manipulating others. No one had ever heard of Morgan Freeman before this movie...but he was nominated for an Oscar for this performance. He should have won it. He's up there with Brando. A great actor. And this is a great performance.

Ladies and Gentlemen: Introducing Morgan Freeman
Christopher Reeve plays magazine reporter Jonathan Fisher, who is about to lose his job. So he promises to come up with a hard-hitting story on prostitution. The only problem is no one will talk to him, so he ends up making up a story about a pimp. The story goes over so well the police think there really is a pimp who got away with murder and they start pressuring Fisher for the guy's name. But then, to make matters worse, Fast Black, the pimp the police suspects and who also thinks the story is really about him, shows up. He wants to know what Fisher knows and how. No matter what Fisher does, he is in big time trouble. Directed by Jerry Schatzberg ("The Seduction of Joe Tynan" and "Honeysuckle Rose") has a fine supporting cast, with Kathy Baker as Puncy, Mimi Rogers as Alison Parker, and Ted Avery as Andre Gregory. But it is Morgan Freeman as Fast Black who absolutely steals this movie. I remember Siskle & Ebert going on and on about Freeman's performance and when you think of all the hundreds of pimps you have seen in the movies, you realize this is truly a standout let alone a breakthrough performance by one of the best actors working in film today. Bottom line, neither the script nor Reeve's performance is up to Freeman's performance; he is the reason to see "Street Smart."

Matt Kocik, Parker Ford, Pa. "Street Smart" is a must see"
Christopher Reeve was great in this film. Morgan Freeman was even better and more serious, this film will somewhat hold your attention because of the pimp state of mind. But never the less it's more hope taken, "Baker" is a superb woman looking for her own modern sex experience, with men or without men. The first hour is "GREAT" but the last half-hour is kind of boring, but it has a reasonable ending, with "LAUGHS AND TEARS" ... Read more

Amazon.com

Jon "I'm Not Matthew Broderick!" Cryer had what appeared to be a breakthrough role in this diverting but inconsequential romantic comedy. (Still, once you've broken through, you need to follow up, something Cryer didn't manage.) In fact, it proved to be more of a springboard for its other star, a then-little-known soap-opera star named Demi Moore. Cryer plays a high-school photographer with a colossal crush on a budding female rock star (Moore). She thinks he's cute--like a puppy--but he thinks her interest indicates the kind of romantic longing only a teenage boy would fantasize about with an older woman. Still, when her love life tanks, this eager beaver is there to console her, thoroughly misreading her intentions. What wit this film has springs from Cryer's kinetic, fast-talking performance as the kind of perpetually wise-cracking kid that was Broderick's stock-in-trade at that point. Otherwise, it's the kind of story only an adolescent male would find believable and moving. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Cryer's 1st picture and one of his best performances!
He is EVERY bit as good as one could expect someone that age to be in this endearing romantic comedy.

Grounded Till I'm 40...
What Jon Cryer had over Matthew Broderick, was his ability to play "Simple Geekieness", in an endearingly awkward sort of way, and in this movie, he's at his most poignant, playing a photography geek, who falls hard, for a women whom he's accidentally photographed, on one of his early morning photography jaunts.

Up to this point, his world had pretty much revolved around his camera, and a dream of using it, to get the money needed to go to photography school in a different city, so he could escape his hum-drum existence and crappy home life, were his mother's new boyfriend is trying to be his "Best Friend", and in peal advice that he doesn't want to hear (as sound and poniant as it may be).

But, enter Demi Moore, a down on her luck rock singer, playing at a dive bar, with big dreams of the big times, hampered by disserting band members, a sleazy bar owner, and very little luck.

And suddenly, Jon Cryer's world changes, as his infatuation grows for Demi, and he becomes obsessed with seeing her dream full filled (whether she wants to let him help her or not). We see his little world, where everything is seen from a distance, through his cameras lens, opens up, and through his struggles to help Demi, we watch him matures from a geeky kid, to a young man

This film has a lot going for it, in comedy of situation, depth of character, and charmingly gratifying story, that makes this a "Must See" film, for 80's nostalgia fans, and any fan of a great comedy with heart.

OH MY GOD!!! THIS MOVIE IS AWSOME!!!
This is a great movie about a kid who spends his life savings and throws away his dream of photography only to help a lovely lady get her dream of becoming a famous singer. You have to watch this movie! It never gets boring and the story is great. And the only thing that makes it alot better is that its got Demi Moore and she looks mad HOT in this movie!!!

EG Daily's ten minuets on screen save the day
Jon Cryer is little too hormonal, Demi Moore is a little too "husky" but E.G Daily in the small role of Cryer's older brothers' girlfriend rocks. If is wasn't for her talking him into going to a bar he would never have met Laura (Moore) and had his virginity taken and his heart stomped on (all the while taking great candid's of a pre-boob job Moore).

FUNNY! FUNNY! FUNNY!
If you liked JON CRYER in "PRETTY IN PINK", you'll find him especially charming in this cute flick! As a matter of fact, I found all the characters uniquely charming and clever...DEMI and JON work great together as 'ageless' companions. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

gREAT STORY ABOUT LOVE AND HATEt
THIS STORY DRAMATISES HATE & HOW IT EFFECTS THE INNOCENT & HOW IT DESTROYS THE LIVES OF THOSE IT INFECTS.HATE PRODUCES SUCH A TRAGIC WASTE OF ONE 'S PRECIOUS LIFE! . EVERY ONE SHOULD SEE THIS CLASSIC PATSFINEST ... Read more

Reviews (4)

What's Not to Like?
One of the feel-good movies of the 80s, "Honeysuckle Rose" wears well. Willie Nelson plays Buck Bonham, a country superstar (surprise!) who's about to go out on tour when he loses a key member of the band. No problem. Buck's loyal, loving wife (Dyan Cannon), herself a former superstar and now Buck's business manager, books the young, attractive, and professionally untried daughter of a longtime family friend (Slim Pickens) to temporarily join the tour until a seasoned replacement can be found. It turns out the girl (Amy Irving, young, sexy, and beautiful) can really belt out a tune. And that's not all.

Before you can say "broken heart," Buck and the girl are in bed together, and their mutual passion is there for all to see as they sing together on stage (by the way, Irving has one heck of a voice, and her duets with Nelson are sweet and lovely). How long will it take for the Missus to find out?

Despite the open disapproval of his band members and country friends such as Amy Harris (who has a couple of solos as well), Buck continues the dangerous affair--until somebody tips off his wife and she appears unexpectedly at one of the concert venues. There ensues a great deal of melodrama, most of it played out in song, like the classic "You Were Always On My Mind." Unfortunately, Cannon, who is supposed to be a country great in this movie, sings as well, and her flat, untrained and grating voice is just awful.

The plot sidesteps into a silly trip to Mexico with Slim Pickens, the outraged father and friend, during which Bonham comes to his senses. All works out just fine in the end, and the viewer ends up smiling, humming country songs, and rewinding the tape to start it up all over again.

"Honeysuckle Rose" a totally entertaining film.
Honeysuckle Rose once again proves that a great singer, Willie Nelson, can be, and usually is, a more than competent actor. Buoyed up with outstanding performances by Dyan Cannon, Amy Irving and Slim Pickens, Willie more than holds his own in this totally entertaining and music- filled portrayal of life on the road as a country musician. Most of Willie's million-seller hits are included along the way. It is a realistic and satisfying account of journeymen musician's lives, including the creative energy they must generate to be a success and the foibles they often display enroute. Don't miss it.

A true-to-life image of music on the road
While it certainly does not hurt to be a Willie Nelson fan to enjoy this movie, anybody (whether into rock, country, folk, etc...) wanting to see a humerous and serious true-to-life movie about playing music on the road should see this. The acting is great and the plot and content is superb.

Classic, true outlaw-country road movie
Willie nelson plays Buck Bonham, a country singer based on his own person. The movie makes you relive the time Willie Nelson was at one of his peaks. Great music, and although the storieline is a little weak, the settings and music make up for it a 100 percent. It's the only movie I know of that can be watched hundreds of times without getting boring. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

ordinary film but Morgan FreeMan takes it up a notch
saw this film years ago&thought it was fairly hit&miss at best. this was when Christopher Reeve was still a A-list Actor.but Morgan Freeman [was really good]here.He has gone on to become one of the Greatest Actors Ever.the Guy continues to take His craft further&adds so much depth to His roles.this film was a step along the road to Greater things.

High points worth it.
This is an uneven movie. And while movie ad excerpt quotes praising performances are almost always the sign of a stinker (damning with faint praise), in this case, I think Morgan Freeman's performance is worth this movie alone. It's nuanced, and a perfect study of a sociopathic personality. Freeman plays a total predator, who will brutalize without conscience, but will pour on immense charm in the next second as a way of manipulating others. No one had ever heard of Morgan Freeman before this movie...but he was nominated for an Oscar for this performance. He should have won it. He's up there with Brando. A great actor. And this is a great performance.

Ladies and Gentlemen: Introducing Morgan Freeman
Christopher Reeve plays magazine reporter Jonathan Fisher, who is about to lose his job. So he promises to come up with a hard-hitting story on prostitution. The only problem is no one will talk to him, so he ends up making up a story about a pimp. The story goes over so well the police think there really is a pimp who got away with murder and they start pressuring Fisher for the guy's name. But then, to make matters worse, Fast Black, the pimp the police suspects and who also thinks the story is really about him, shows up. He wants to know what Fisher knows and how. No matter what Fisher does, he is in big time trouble. Directed by Jerry Schatzberg ("The Seduction of Joe Tynan" and "Honeysuckle Rose") has a fine supporting cast, with Kathy Baker as Puncy, Mimi Rogers as Alison Parker, and Ted Avery as Andre Gregory. But it is Morgan Freeman as Fast Black who absolutely steals this movie. I remember Siskle & Ebert going on and on about Freeman's performance and when you think of all the hundreds of pimps you have seen in the movies, you realize this is truly a standout let alone a breakthrough performance by one of the best actors working in film today. Bottom line, neither the script nor Reeve's performance is up to Freeman's performance; he is the reason to see "Street Smart."

Matt Kocik, Parker Ford, Pa. "Street Smart" is a must see"
Christopher Reeve was great in this film. Morgan Freeman was even better and more serious, this film will somewhat hold your attention because of the pimp state of mind. But never the less it's more hope taken, "Baker" is a superb woman looking for her own modern sex experience, with men or without men. The first hour is "GREAT" but the last half-hour is kind of boring, but it has a reasonable ending, with "LAUGHS AND TEARS" ... Read more