Posted: 08/19/2009

Life Is Hot In Cracktown (2009)

by Michael J. Nicholas

Buddy Giovinazzo brings us Life Is Hot In Cracktown, a violent drama based on a collection of his own short stories from 1993. All the stories are interwoven throughout the movie with some sets of characters crossing paths. The one thing linking all these groups of people is the crack use by someone in their clique or proximity and the inner turmoil created.

Illena Douglas plays a crack-addicted mother of two, more worried about her next fix than the heavy hand of her fiend-boyfriend(Edoardo Ballerini) or environment she’s providing for her children. Older child Willy has to beg on the streets to provide food for himself and younger sister Susie. Marybeth(Kerry Washington) lives life as a pre-op transexual working as a prostitute and hoping to soon be married with her lover Benny, a small-time burglar.

Manny(Victor Rasuk) works one job as a security guard in a welfare hotel and a second being the night shift at a corner store, surrounded by thugs, prostitutes and drug dealers. Meanwhile, he’s trying to keep his afloat while providing for his wife and sick son. Romeo(Evan Ross) plays a real bastard, the neighborhood king of the hoods, who torments all in his way while earning respect from his boys.

Overall I liked the film, thought it was gritty and realistic as these types of lifestyles were portrayed truthfully. Some moments and situations were predictable, but the directing and acting, along with the cinematography, helped keep this believable and found me empathising with the innocents. The special features include:

*Behind-the-scenes Featurette
*Deleted Scenes

Michael J. Nicholas - a.k.a. Nicky The Note - reviews, opinions & life lessons.

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