Street Smart (1987)

67% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
41% of users liked it
(1,163 ratings)

Jonathan Fisher (Christopher Reeve) is a newspaper reporter who becomes a celebrity when he writes a fictitious exposé on prostitution. The story of the high-living pimp is too close a resemblance to real-life flesh pedlar Fast Black (Morgan Freeman), and Jonathan is jailed when he refuses to turn… More Jonathan Fisher (Christopher Reeve) is a newspaper reporter who becomes a celebrity when he writes a fictitious exposé on prostitution. The story of the high-living pimp is too close a resemblance to real-life flesh pedlar Fast Black (Morgan Freeman), and Jonathan is jailed when he refuses to turn his papers over to the local district attorney. In jail for suspicion of murder, Black tries to silence the reporter who created the sensational fabrication. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Jerry Schatzberg
Written By: David Freeman
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1987 Wide
On DVD: Oct 7, 2003
Studio: Media Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Janet Maslin, New York Times
Street Smart winds up being a bit too smart for its own good, but it's compelling and complex.
Richard Harrington, Washington Post
Schatzberg's major problems are lethargic pacing and a strained plot.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
A clever thriller with a lot of unbelievable scenes and a sappy ending, but two wonderful performances.
Pat Graham, Chicago Reader
There's something about seedy undersides that brings out the best (or at least the personal) in director Jerry Schatzberg ... though his Elia Kazan social consciousness could use a little toning down.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...the movie's still worth seeing, though, if only for Freeman's electrifying performance.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, San Francisco Examiner
Freeman is remarkable.
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World
Justified by Freeman's amazing performance

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Adam M

Morgan Freeman's performance IS the movie; the rest is a supporting cast trying to work themes a rewrite by James Toback would have fully realized ... and we would be locked into Reeve's dilemma more than just as our ticket to meeting Fast Black ... Points for Anna Horsford… More
Morgan Freeman's performance IS the movie; the rest is a supporting cast trying to work themes a rewrite by James Toback would have fully realized ... and we would be locked into Reeve's dilemma more than just as our ticket to meeting Fast Black ... Points for Anna Horsford and Kathy Baker (who makes a foul shot as the white Whore With the Heart of Gold), and for the one-man theatre of Andre Gregory.
Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]In "Street Smart," a magazine journalist, Jonathan Fisher(Christopher Reeve), has trouble researching an article about a pimp, even after interviewing Punchy(Kathy Baker), a prostitute, so he fabricates the article, instead. As a result of the article… More
[font=Century Gothic]In "Street Smart," a magazine journalist, Jonathan Fisher(Christopher Reeve), has trouble researching an article about a pimp, even after interviewing Punchy(Kathy Baker), a prostitute, so he fabricates the article, instead. As a result of the article being a hit, he becomes the toast of the town. But the district attorney feels that the imagined pimp is Fast Black(Morgan Freeman) who is charged with murder, and would like to have a word with Fisher...[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"Street Smart" has a neat premise but the subpar execution leaves it being little more than a B-movie. The seedy Times Square of this film has long vanished and AIDS is never mentioned. But what is not dated is its take on journalistic ethics which remains especially relevant in this day and age.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]Christopher Reeve makes for an especially weak lead. And it does take some getting used to Kathy Baker playing a prositute but she is very good. Morgan Freeman is excellent in his breakout role. While he never played this type of character again, he would also never again be so virile on screen.("Glory" and "Driving Miss Daisy" were soon on the horizon for him.)[/font]

Cast

            Christopher Reeve as Jonathan Fisher

            Morgan Freeman as Fast Black

            Kathy Baker as Punchy

            Mimi Rogers as Alison Parker

            Jay Patterson as Leonard Pike

            Andre Gregory as Ted Avery

            Anna Maria Horsford as Harriet

            Frederick Rolf as Joel Davis

            Erik King as Reggie

            Michael J. Reynolds as Art Sheffield

            Shari Hilton as Darlene

            Donna Bailey as Yvonne

            Lynne Adams
            
            Rick Aviles as Solo

            Danny Brainin as T.V. Cameraman

            Les Carlson as Marty

            Dorian Joe Clark as Transvestite

            Carol Ann Francis as Susan

            Ann Pearl Gary as Waitress

            Francesco Golisano
            
            Eddie Earl Hatch as Flashy Man

            Max Montor
            
            Robert Morelli as Undercover Cop

            Richard Mullally as Suburban John

            Daniel Nalbach as Singer

            Eve Napier as Trish

            Rick van Nutter as Judge

            Grace Garland as Black Prostitute

            Margarita Stocker as Intellectual Woman

            Joe Barrientos as Hispanic Prostitute

            Walter Allen Bennet Jr. as Ball Player

            Ruth Dahan as Mrs. Silverbeard

            Ernest Deveaux as Kid

            David Glen as Jay

            Francisco Gonzales as Pablo

            Terry Haig as Marshall

            Emmanuelle LaSalle as Waitress

            Donald Lamoureux as Prison Reporter

            Shawn Laurence as Bartender

            Wally Martin as Lowlife

            Vera Miller as Party Guest

            Ulla Moreland as Ted's Wife

            Kelly Ricard as Woman Magistrate

            Claudette Roach
            
            Nadia Rona as Party Guest

            Bill Torre as Hotel Clerk

            Steve Michaels as Taxi Inspector

            Ed Van Nuys as Judge
See full cast

Street Smart (1987)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Adam M

Walter M

Cast

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