FlashCallahan To think that this was produced by Cannon films, one of the most notorious companies of the eighties, for making cheesy, yet unbelievably watchable films, is amazing.Reporter Jonathan Fisher promises to write a factual story of prostitution. When he tries to get information from pimps, he is ignored. So he ends up faking a well received story of a pimp, describing his life and crimes. But police think the story is of a real pimp who is wanted for murder. The pimp also thinks the story is about himself, and wants to know what Jonathan knows, and who told him.....If you haven't heard of the film, and have just seen the one sheet, you'd be forgiven the film is about a washed up comedian who has a very small audience.The trouble is with Reeve, even though he is a really good actor, you just can't get Superman out of your head, every time you see him, and every time he utters a word. So even though this was a dream project for him, he just doesn't fit the role, after all he is the greatest American hero.So thank heavens for Morgan Freeman, whom if you've not seen him in a film before Robin Hood, really plays against type as Fast Black, and is the sole reason to watch this film.The story is great, it really had the potential to be a hard hitting film. And even though the film doesn't fail to entertain, and has some really tense moments, the casting of Reeve just makes the film feel like he's in a safe environment all the time.if the lead was cast with someone like Douglas, or even Ford, it could have been more believable.It's still an entertaining, original film, but Reeve just doesn't fit the grittiness of the narrative.

rightwingisevil the screenplay was so terrible with absolutely unbelievable, highly unlikely, totally improbable scenario and logic premises. but if we could treat it as a nostalgic production wherein we would have the chance to look at that primitive first generation of desktop computer, the handsome christopher reeve, the still middle-aged morgan freeman, and some of those familiar screen faces male and female, then this movie would suddenly become bearable. but if we return to the reality, then this movie suffers great flaws from the very beginning. how could it possible a struggling street journalist could dream up a documentary report on the dark street of new york? this guy got no experience whatsoever in the pimping, whoring and druggie business in new york street, how could he suddenly dream up such topic and pitch it to his magazine employer? and then, how could a knowledgeable magazine boss would buy it? and the district attorney, the huge new york readers would buy it? if this guy is such a genius writer, he wouldn't still be such poor guy still struggles in the basement of the literary society. there are so many fundamentally impossible and unfeasible question marks on this movie's plot and the scenario. it just looked so unrealistic and unconvincing when i watched this movie. it gave me an impression that the screenplay writer(s) being just as naive and amateurish like the main character of this movie. street smart? not in the least.

moonspinner55 The production team of Golan-Globus didn't turn out many theatrical features which set awards season on fire, but "Street Smart" garnered great acclaim for Morgan Freeman as a tough New York pimp who takes exception to a seamy journalistic expose by writer Christopher Reeve which seems to be based on the pimp's operation; unfortunately (in the long run) for Reeve, he has made the entire story up. Unattractively foul-mouthed, and filmed in brackish color, the movie does manage to give Freeman a chance at exploring a dark, dangerous side that he rarely returned to again. Kathy Baker as a prostitute is also quite good, but Reeve (open-mouthed and vacuous) never loosens up. Not especially well-directed by Jerry Schatzberg, as Freeman looks like he can take care of himself. *1/2 from ****

butchfilms If It wasn't by the performances of Morgan Freeman and Kathy Baker, I would have given 5 stars to "Street Smart", but such performances elevate the category of a modest movie.I didn't like the plot of the movie, but at least this movie doesn't bore you and keep you entertained, this movie is similar to the police movies made for TV, and I liked the shots of different parts of NY.The plot of the movie is about a journalist who invent a story about the life of a fictitious pimp called Tyron that is published in the magazine where he writes. The law confuses this factitious pimp Tyron with real life pimp "fast black" (Morgan Freeman) who is being accused for murder, so the law ask the journalist to deliver all his notes and tapes about his interview with the pimp to arrest Fast Black.There are 2 great scenes in the movie, in one scene the journalist is seduced by Punchy, who is one of the girls of Fast Black", where Kathy Baker who plays Plunchy looks really sexy (10 stars for her in this scene). And the other scene which is the best in the movie from an acting point of view involves the characters of Morgan Freman and Kathy Baker, you will know what scene I mean when you see it.In short you have to watch this B movie for the performances of Morgan Freman and Kathy Baker