Redemption - The Stan "Tookie" Williams Story (2003)

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Jamie Foxx once again brilliantly demonstrates his acting chops as Stan "Tookie" Williams, the South Central Los Angeles native who, at the age of 17, co-founded the infamous Crips street gang. If one is to believe the script of this made-for-cable film, Williams hadn't intended the Crips to wallow… More Jamie Foxx once again brilliantly demonstrates his acting chops as Stan "Tookie" Williams, the South Central Los Angeles native who, at the age of 17, co-founded the infamous Crips street gang. If one is to believe the script of this made-for-cable film, Williams hadn't intended the Crips to wallow in crime and violence; instead, he'd hoped that the gang would form a united front to protect his 'hood from other gangbangers. Needless to say, it didn't turn out that way, and within a few years of its 1971 formation, the Crips was the biggest and most powerful gang in the country, with branches in virtually every state. Ultimately, Williams is charged with murder and sentenced to San Quentin's death row in 1987. There he experiences an epiphany and becomes an advocate for peace, harmony, and tolerance, writing children's books that preach against the lure of street gangs. As the years roll by and the date of his execution draws closer, Williams manages to negotiate a peace between the Crips and their chief rivals, the Bloods, and even manages to receive three Nobel Prize nominations. Lynn Whitfield co-stars as Barbara Becnel, the crusading journalist who helped Williams see the light -- not so much to save his soul, but to prevent a similar fate from befalling her own son. Although considerable liberties are taken with the facts, Redemption: The Stan "Tookie" Williams Story neither glamorizes nor excuses its title character, nor the "gangsta" culture that he so enthusiastically embraced in his youth. After a showing at the Sundance Film Festival, the movie made its FX network debut on March 3, 2004. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Vondie Curtis-Hall
Genres: Drama, Television, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Mar 3, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Aug 17, 2004

Critic Reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Khris N

A very good biopic, most of us woulnt have heard about it. Most of you probably wouldnt have heard about Stanley "Tookie" Williams. Take a trip into California State Supermax and meet the man responsible for the gang wars and bloodshed which has taken over South Central LA… More
A very good biopic, most of us woulnt have heard about it. Most of you probably wouldnt have heard about Stanley "Tookie" Williams. Take a trip into California State Supermax and meet the man responsible for the gang wars and bloodshed which has taken over South Central LA for the last 30 years... but you are not going to meet a crazy, drug dealing , psychotic gang banger with a grudge against society. Instead you'll meet an intelligent, clear minded and philosophical death row inmate who changed the world... by writing children's help books. Tookie Williams has decided to seek redemption for his crimes and his legacy by choosing to help the young kids by educating them on the right path in life, before his death sentence is carried out. With the help of a sympathetic journalist, Tookie manages to change his legacy from hate and violence to a message of peace, which brings the attention of the world to him... and in turn recieving a Nobel Peace Prize nomination. Foxx's performance is the key here - as the blurb states, 2004 was his golden year and this was no exception for displaying his acting talents. The movie is obviously one sided a bit, and a lot Tookie's past life is hidden. But of course, the movie is focused on the man's transformation in prison and his effect on the world. Enjoy it if you like bio pics... just dont expect big budget greatness, its a movie which is pulled by raw talent alone. And does it very well.
EightThirty .

It was ok...The Movie should of showed more of him coming up and the picture was pretty plain^_^
Mike T

Jamie Foxx is amazing. Manipulative screenplay, but the power of Foxx's performance can't be denied.