Fresh

Fresh (1994)

  • 90% of critics liked it
    (21 reviews)

  • 89% of users liked it
    (7,262 ratings)

A bright young African-American boy attempts to survive life in the city by acting as an errand boy for a drug dealer in this thoughtful, sharply plotted drama. Known as Fresh, the young man must use his delivery jobs to support himself and his troubled sister, receiving nothing from his distant,… More

R, 1 hr. 55 min.
Directed By
Boaz Yakin
Genres
Drama
In Theaters
Jan 1, 1994 Wide
On DVD
Feb 5, 2002
Miramax

Critic Reviews

  • Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

    Though its morality may be controversial, the film, an impressive debut from Boaz Yakin, deserves credit for introducing a new type of protagonist, a ghetto teenager willing to do everything and anything to escape his lot.

  • Gabe Leibowitz, Film and Felt

    Unlike John Singleton's by-the-numbers Boyz n the Hood, Boaz Yakin's Fresh doesn't rely on skeletal portrayals of life in the ghetto, or moralistic messages.

  • Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks

    Without a fully-formed perspective on its protagonist, Fresh remains a picture that is more powerful and affecting in concept than in actual execution.

  • Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

    We've seen this story before, but it's told surprisingly well here.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • James A


    Samuel L. Jackson wasn't his usual over the top self. Instead he brings a great performance to a small role.

  • Alexander W


    I loved this film as a teen. Yet I think I would get slightly bored today, because its a one of story and doesn't really narrate into anything contemporary.

  • xGary X


    One of the best of the host of urban dramas based in the projects, an uncompromising tale of inner city violence and crime seen through the eyes of a 12 year old boy.

  • Todd S


    A pretty good and very underrated movie. This kid is a genius and the ending was great. The only negative would have to be all the ebonics throughout which make it some what hard to follow.

  • matt s


    While this movie has its scenes (the chess matches), I think a lot of early '90s independent film got by with shock value and relentlessly profanity. This film is no different. Look, I don't give a shit about cussing and all, I mean this film is about a teenaged drug runner… More

Read all 7 featured audience ratings

Cast

See full cast

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