Big Shots (1987)

16% want to see it
(1,047 ratings)

Consumed by grief when his father is felled by a heart attack, 11-year-old Obie (Ricky Busker) runs away from his white, upper-class surroundings. He ends up in a particularly dismal Chicago ghetto neighborhood where, after enduring a beating administered by gang members, he is befriended by… More Consumed by grief when his father is felled by a heart attack, 11-year-old Obie (Ricky Busker) runs away from his white, upper-class surroundings. He ends up in a particularly dismal Chicago ghetto neighborhood where, after enduring a beating administered by gang members, he is befriended by streetwise black youth Jeremy "Scam" Henderson (Darius McCrary). The two become partners in crime, leading to a deadly situation involving a pair of professional hit men. Just when it seems things can't get any worse, they do. Robert Prosky co-stars as a slimy pawnbroker. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Robert Mandel
Written By: Joe Eszterhas
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Comedy

Studio: Lorimar Home Video

Critic Reviews

Clint Morris, Moviehole
A hip comedy classic that's as much fun as it is a blast from the past
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Scripter Joe Eszterhas and director Robert Mandel squander most of the riches of this story by focusing on the boys' combat with two drug dealers.

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Cast

            Ricky Busker as Obie

            Darius McCrary as Jeremy "Scam" Henderson

            Robert Joy as Dickie

            Robert Prosky as Keegan Pawnbroker

            Jerzy Skolimowski as Doc

            Paul Winfield as Johnnie Red

            Jim Antonio as Uncle Harry

            Wilbert Bradley as Social Service Man

            Pauline Brailsford as Science Teacher

            Olivia Cole as Mrs. Newton

            Ron Dean as 2nd Policeman

            David Dunard as Louisiana Cop

            Ellen Geer as Bar Waitress

            Tim Halligan as 3rd Policeman

            Oscar Jordan as One of the Guys

            Janet MacLachlan as Welfare Worker

            Jack Orend as Asst. Bank manager

            Beah Richards as Miss Hanks Hotel Manager

            Antoine Roshell as Teen #2

            Timothy Scott as Smiley

            Joe Seneca as Ferryman

            Dick Sollenberger as Doctor

            James Spinks as Bank Guard

            Michael Stoyanov as Teen #3

            Brynn Thayer as Obie's Mom

            Cedric Young as Ghetto Bartender

            Hutton Cobb as Bible Salesman

            Mitch Beasley as Duane Henderson

            Andrea Bebel as Alley

            Sephus Booker as Policeman

            Richard Caine as 4th Policeman

            Bernard Chestleigh as Social Service Man

            Jeffrey Harris as Teen #1

            Shirley Spiegler Jacobs as Social Service Woman

            Michael Krawic as Street Person

            Elise Langan as The Waitress

            Lorraine Matthews as Social Service Woman

            Maria McCrary as Bank Teller

            Sherry Narens as Teacher

            Hank Underwood as Bartender

            Ken White as Sheriff

            Frank G. Rice as Counselor

            Dave Adams as Deputy

            Bill Hudson as Dad

            Rucky Busker
            
            Darius Mc Crary
            
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