Plot
A young street hustler attempts to escape the rigors and temptations of the ghetto in a quest for a better life.
Release Year: 1993
Rating: 7.4/10 (19,714 voted)
Critic's Score: 76/100
Stars: Tyrin Turner, Larenz Tate, June Kyoto Lu
Storyline This urban nightmare chronicles several days in the life of Caine Lawson, following his high-school graduation, as he attempts to escape his violent existence in the projects of Watts, CA.
Writers: Allen Hughes, Albert Hughes
Cast: Tyrin Turner
-
Caine
Larenz Tate
-
O-Dog
June Kyoto Lu
-
Grocery Store Woman
(as June Kyoko Lu)
Toshi Toda
-
Grocery Store Man
Samuel L. Jackson
-
Tat Lawson
Anthony Johnson
-
Tony
Brandon Hammond
-
Five Year Old Caine
Glenn Plummer
-
Pernell
Reginald Ballard
-
Clyde
Khandi Alexander
-
Karen Lawson
Eugene Lee
-
Man #1
James Pickens Jr.
-
Man #2
(as James Pickins Jr.)
Nancy Cheryll Davis
-
Teacher
(as Nancy Cheryl Davis)
Jullian Roy Doster
-
Anthony
Jada Pinkett Smith
-
Ronnie
(as Jada Pinkett)
Taglines:
This is the truth. This is what's real.
Release Date: 26 May 1993
Filming Locations: 7th Ave and Montclair St., Los Angeles, California, USA
Box Office Details
Budget: $3,500,000
(estimated)
Gross: $27,900,000
(USA)
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Did You Know?
Trivia: Tupac Shakur was originally considered to play Sharif and was hired to play O-Dog, but was fired without his knowledge which led to a physical fight with directors 'The Hughes Brothers' allegedly due to his work with their rival John Singleton in
Poetic Justice.
Goofs:
Factual errors:
During Ronnie's party scene, Caine's voice over says that the party was at the end of the summer. During the party Chauncy tells a girl that "me, A-Wax and Caine went to a Lakers game last night." The NBA season starts in November and has no regular games being played at the end of the summer.
Quotes: Mr. Butler:
Being a black man in America isn't easy. The hunt is on, and you're the prey. All I'm saying is... All I'm saying is... Survive! All right?
User Review
powerfully good
Rating:
Extremely brutal, but gripping and compelling story of a volatile,
alienated young teenager growing up in the violent atmosphere of the
L.A. Watts District and—against the advice of family and friends—makes
no effort to transcend the harshness and ignorance of his surroundings,
instead choosing to head down a dead-end path. Violent, almost
unbearable at times, but faultlessly acted by the cast, and filled with
powerful, authentic scenes. Tate is an absolute powerhouse as Turner's
young, impulsive, and extremely cold-blooded pal. Obviously not for all
tastes, but a monumental achievement regardless, thanks to a superior
cast of actors. ***½
0