Street Smart (1987)

"Street Smart" (1987) is a cult classic crime drama featuring Morgan Freeman and Christopher Reeve. Freeman is the supporting lead character in the movie as he plays the antagonist and narcissistic pimp, Fast Black. Before this movie, Freeman's most notable work was in the hit 1970s show, "The Electic Company." Freeman won an Academy for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, which helped propel his career to the next level in becoming an A-list star. But, then, there is Christopher Reeves, mostly known for his role as Superman. In this movie, he plays a struggling magazine reporter that creates an imaginary story about a pimp to save his career. 

However, while Reeve leads the film, mostly Freeman and Kathy Baker make it memorable. This movie is one of those films where the supporting lead characters take over every scene. The movie could have done better at the box office if Cannon Production had done better with marketing. Even today, many people still find out about this underground cult flick that makes you see Freeman differently. Roger Irving III produced the film's soundtrack, featuring legendary jazz musician Miles Davis.

Director: Jerry Schatzberg

Writer: David Freeman

Starring Morgan Freeman, Christopher Reeve, Kathy Baker, Erik King, Mimi Rogers, Anna Maria Horsford, Jay Patterson, Andre Gregory

Storyline
A New York magazine reporter on the verge of losing his job, Jonathan Fisher (Christopher Reeve), fabricates a story about prostitution that reignites his career and brings unwanted attention to a powerful pimp, Fast Black (Morgan Freeman). The police, believing the story is true, feel closer to putting the notorious pimp behind bars. But, as pressure mounts for Fisher to reveal the identity of the lead in his story, he's unaware that Fast Black has plans of his own for the writer who's jeopardized his business in the gritty, urban drama Street Smart.

Available on Blu-ray and streaming services.

https://www.amazon.com/Street-Smart-Blu-ray-Christopher-Reeve/dp/B00Y250HO8