A reporter, Jonathan Fisher(Christopher Reeve) who creates a story about a pimp to get himself out of a rut and into the prestige of the New Yorker magazine, becomes a hot commodity, and finds himself in hot water as a Harvard district attorney believes he has personal inside information on a real pimp being prepared for trial over a heinous murder(he kicked someone's face in). Fisher becomes immersed(more like embroiled, for lack of a better term) in the nightmarish world of Fast Black's life, discovering first hand his violent temper and short fuse for anyone(including/especially his working girls)who crosses him the wrong way. Fisher's involvement with Fast Black is the heart of this movie, what he endures for a fabrication and how his life evolves into a tumultuous state of affairs. Fast Black wants Fisher to cook up another story about how they were together when the murder took place. Threats from Fast Money are serious business and when Fisher says he will not comply with his demands, danger awaits the reporter..his career rises as he hits the streets exposing corruption and the city's welfare/plight.
How a work of fiction, pinned out of desperation, can send a reporter into the doldrums is the film's emotional arc and as is seeing how Fisher climbs himself out of the bleakest of situations, not to mention his getting even for the stabbing of his girlfriend Alison(Mimi Rogers). Boy, does the plot sure put Fisher in a bind..that, to me, is part of what makes Street Smart such an intriguing crime drama.
The electric Morgan Freeman, at times charismatic, charming, and other times ferocious and explosive, blows poor Christopher Reeve right off the screen, but the parts are really arranged this way. Reeve was picked on by critics for a supposed "non-performance" which I feel is unfair, because the other members of the cast, like Kathy Baker(..as Fast Money's foxy streetwalker, Punchy) and Freeman, have such colorful characters to portray.
Seeing a nervy Reeve riding along with the unpredictable Freeman who could turn crazy any moment is particularly effective. Certainly a highlight is Fast Black(and Punchy)being introduced to the big money crowd, a party hosted by Fisher's editor Ted(Andre Gregory; A DINNER WITH ANDRE) commingling with the New York elite, trying to score some new talent(!). Probably the most frightening scene has Punchy asking Fast Black to relieve her of duties for a while, sticking up for herself when he will not hear of it, scissors pulled as a tool to remind her of who's boss. Seeing Fisher turn the tables on Fast Black through manipulation in regards to Reggie(Black's enforcer)is quite gratifying, even though we must accept that this whole scenario grew from a fictional expose written out of a desire to find success. I imagine this had to be a relief for Reeve, a way of escape the shadow of the Man of Steele..this may very well be one of the Cannon group's most quality films.
How a work of fiction, pinned out of desperation, can send a reporter into the doldrums is the film's emotional arc and as is seeing how Fisher climbs himself out of the bleakest of situations, not to mention his getting even for the stabbing of his girlfriend Alison(Mimi Rogers). Boy, does the plot sure put Fisher in a bind..that, to me, is part of what makes Street Smart such an intriguing crime drama.
The electric Morgan Freeman, at times charismatic, charming, and other times ferocious and explosive, blows poor Christopher Reeve right off the screen, but the parts are really arranged this way. Reeve was picked on by critics for a supposed "non-performance" which I feel is unfair, because the other members of the cast, like Kathy Baker(..as Fast Money's foxy streetwalker, Punchy) and Freeman, have such colorful characters to portray.
Seeing a nervy Reeve riding along with the unpredictable Freeman who could turn crazy any moment is particularly effective. Certainly a highlight is Fast Black(and Punchy)being introduced to the big money crowd, a party hosted by Fisher's editor Ted(Andre Gregory; A DINNER WITH ANDRE) commingling with the New York elite, trying to score some new talent(!). Probably the most frightening scene has Punchy asking Fast Black to relieve her of duties for a while, sticking up for herself when he will not hear of it, scissors pulled as a tool to remind her of who's boss. Seeing Fisher turn the tables on Fast Black through manipulation in regards to Reggie(Black's enforcer)is quite gratifying, even though we must accept that this whole scenario grew from a fictional expose written out of a desire to find success. I imagine this had to be a relief for Reeve, a way of escape the shadow of the Man of Steele..this may very well be one of the Cannon group's most quality films.