Pearl's hangin' out of the window again, or the lookalike character of Mrs. Canfield, played by "227's" Helen Martin. She's seen observing the presence of the gorgeous and sultry Robin Givens, the ultimate noir femme fatale. The poor sap she gets her claws into is shy, virginal Forest Whittaker who doesn't remain a virgin for long after meeting her. He works as an undertaker in Harlem, and Givens is new in town from Mississippi, having arrived in New York City with a ton of gold stolen from her boyfriend (Badja Djola) during a very violent shootout.
The racial slur filled exchange between whites and blacks has a very disturbing scene involving a white man's facial mole, and threats towards the sweet Whittaker are equally as vile. Obviously Givens is using Whittaker, but he's so endearing that she can't help but come to like him and want to protect him.
A fantastic, nostalgic look at Harlem and black culture in the mid 50's that features the fabulous Bea Winde as the lesbian proprietor of a brothel and Gregory Hines as Whittaker's con-artist brother. Adding to the intrigue is Danny Glover who took on a smaller part as a Harlem fence. Zakes Mokae is also fascinating as a character named Big Kathy.
Givens shines as her character's vulnerability is revealed and Whittaker shows that underneath his character's presumed weakness is a real lion. A nightclub sequence has the most unforgettable giant mask since Oz's wizard. Certainly a lot to take in plot wise, but once you get an idea of who is who, it's fascinating and sensationally directed by Bill Duke.
The racial slur filled exchange between whites and blacks has a very disturbing scene involving a white man's facial mole, and threats towards the sweet Whittaker are equally as vile. Obviously Givens is using Whittaker, but he's so endearing that she can't help but come to like him and want to protect him.
A fantastic, nostalgic look at Harlem and black culture in the mid 50's that features the fabulous Bea Winde as the lesbian proprietor of a brothel and Gregory Hines as Whittaker's con-artist brother. Adding to the intrigue is Danny Glover who took on a smaller part as a Harlem fence. Zakes Mokae is also fascinating as a character named Big Kathy.
Givens shines as her character's vulnerability is revealed and Whittaker shows that underneath his character's presumed weakness is a real lion. A nightclub sequence has the most unforgettable giant mask since Oz's wizard. Certainly a lot to take in plot wise, but once you get an idea of who is who, it's fascinating and sensationally directed by Bill Duke.