Always Outnumbered (1998)

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(880 ratings)

Michael Apted (Gorillas in the Mist) directed this Walter Mosley script adaptation of Mosley's short story collection, Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned. Ex-con Socrates Fortlow (Laurence Fishburne) returns to L.A., looks for work, becomes friends with Right Burke (Bill Cobbs), is told he's too… More Michael Apted (Gorillas in the Mist) directed this Walter Mosley script adaptation of Mosley's short story collection, Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned. Ex-con Socrates Fortlow (Laurence Fishburne) returns to L.A., looks for work, becomes friends with Right Burke (Bill Cobbs), is told he's too old for a construction job, helps youngster Darryl (Daniel Williams), and romances cafe-owner Iula Brown (Natalie Cole). Socrates provides a moral uplift to the neighborhood, while Burke's voiceover narration has a Sunset Boulevard twist. The TV movie premiered March 21, 1998 on HBO. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr.
Directed By: Michael Apted
Genres: Drama, Television

In Theaters: Mar 21, 1998 Wide
On DVD: Jan 8, 2002

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lesley N

Oh this is an impossible film for me to review. It's based on one of my favouritest books, "Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned" by Walter Mosley and I like it so much, I can't view this film impartially at all. I might be recommending a made-for-tv-movie clunker… More
Oh this is an impossible film for me to review. It's based on one of my favouritest books, "Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned" by Walter Mosley and I like it so much, I can't view this film impartially at all. I might be recommending a made-for-tv-movie clunker here, I honestly can't tell, I'm just so pleased they put the big man up on the big screen... look, it's brilliant! Laurence Fishburne nails the role! Watch this film!! Sigh, ok, try to be impartial for one minute.... Always Outnumbered is a series of short stories (or one story with lots of bits to it) about fifty something ex-con Socrates Fortlow and the people he knows. Even though he doesn't wear a shiny costume and he can't fly, Socrates is a hero, though he'd not thank you for describing him like that, he's just trying to get by as best he can .... nope, I give up. Just read the book, ok? Or see the film. Or either. Or both! Watch it! It's brilliant!! etc etc

Cast

            Laurence Fishburne as Socrates Fortlow

            Bill Cobbs as Right Burke

            Natalie Cole as Iula Brown

            Bill Duke as Blackbird Wills

            Laurie Metcalf as Halley Grimes

            Cicely Tyson as Luvia

            Daniel Williams as Darryl

            Alan Wilder as Anton Crier

            Bill Nunn as Howard M'Shalla

            Bridgid Coulter as Corina M'Shalla

            Isaiah Washington
            
            Kevin Carroll
            
            Art Evans
            
            Jamaal Carter
            
            Brooke Marie Bridges
            
            John Gavigan
            
            Perry Moore
            
            Sammi Rotibi
            
            Danny Goldring
            
            Dan Martin
            
            Paula Jai Parker
            
            Vonte Sweet
            
            Kelvin Garvanne
            
            Crystal LaPrie
            
            Mykel Taylor
            
            Mary-Michelle Trinity
            
            Erika LaVonn
            
            John Wesley
            
            John Cothran Jr.
            
            Sonya Haynes
            
            Greg Bird
            
            Norm Wilson
            
            Regan Forman
            
            Zaid Farid
            
            Darren O'Bannon
            
            Maurice Blake
            
            Lawrence Hales
            
            David Gramling
            
            Jason Young
            
            John Toles-Bey as Stoney Wiley
See full cast