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Clockers
1995
Strike is the hardest-working drug dealer on the street. But time is beginning to run out for him when a deal with an evil drug boss results in the death of a rival dealer... Read more
| Starring | Harvey Keitel, John Turturro, Delroy Lindo, Mekhi Phifer |
|---|---|
| Director | Spike Lee |
| Genres | Drama |
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Clockers
Strike is the hardest-working drug dealer on the street. But time is beginning to run out for him when a deal with an evil drug boss results in the death of a rival dealer...
| Starring | Harvey Keitel, John Turturro, Delroy Lindo, Mekhi Phifer, Isaiah Washington |
|---|---|
| Director | Spike Lee |
| Studio | UNIVERSAL PICTURES VIDEO |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 07 Jul 2003 Production year: 1995 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (2)
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This is one of director Spike Lee's least “anti-everything” essays in modern life on the streets, based on Richard Price's complex novel about the drugs trade. Moving the setting from New Jersey to Lee's familiar territory of Brooklyn, this has cop Harvey Keitel investigating a killing in which low-level drug-dealer Mekhi Phifer is the prime suspect, though Phifer's brother Isaiah Washington has confessed to the crime. It's not Lee's best work — some critics were distinctly cool about the stark imagery and idiosyncratic cinematography — but for once, at least, the director lets the story deliver the message, instead of imposing it from above.
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A harsh report from the urban front line, where drugs cause blacks to kill blacks and even those who reject that culture find themselves unable to escape it; it is a powerful and despairing film, but often tends to be more didactic than dramatic.
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Most helpful member's review
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12 out of 13 people found this review helpful
A decent film which could have been something special
Spike Lee's 'Clockers' is one of this inconsistent director's most frustrating films. There's a great story trying to be told here, but it's swamped by Lee's flashy visuals, incoherent editing and determination to make points about all aspects of black street culture, no matter how irrelevant they may be.
The story concerns a young drug dealer nicknamed 'Strike'(Mekhi Phifer), who works for drug boss Rodney(Delroy Lindo). When Rodney gets Strike to murder a rival, it brings Detective Rocco Klein(Harvey Keitel) to the neighbourhood. He's surprised when Strike's brother Victor(Isaiah Washington) takes the rap for the killing and he's determined to uncover the truth.
Adapted by Richard Price from his own novel, 'Clockers' could have been a gripping detective story while also exposing the drugs and violence which black youths find it so hard to escape from. But that isn't enough for Lee who stuffs his film with so many half-developed ideas that it becomes tiresome to watch.
Lee seems at one point to be commenting on the influence of violent music videos and video games, but when he fails to develop this line of reasoning, it's clear these sidetracks are only a means to fill the film with his intrusive visual fireworks. Many scenes serve no dramatic purpose and the bloated film is a good deal longer than it needs to be.
Lee, however, is well served by his cast. Harvey Keitel is excellent as the investigating cop who wants to do the right thing while his racist partner(an excellent John Turturro) is happy as long as some black guy is locked up. Delroy Lindo is a menacing presence as the local kingpin and Phifer is adequate as the young lead, although he understandably struggles with his character being doubled up with stomach cramps every few minutes.
A Spike Lee film is nearly always worth watching and this is no exception. It's a frustrating experience watching a story with potential get lost along the way but at least Lee is still making uncompromising, unique films. He still has all the energy and agression that characterised his early films, if only he was a little clearer with what he wants to say. -
Most recent members' review
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Good.
Clockers is an ambitious, self indulgent Spike Lee joint which will always be remembered, by me, for the perfomance of Thomas Jefferson Byrd in the role of the HIV infected gangster, Errol Barnes.
The film itself is well executed, beautifully shot by cinematographer Malik Hassan Seyeed and ticks all the right boxes for fans of homeboy, ghetto, gang-banger 'shoot em ups'. However, the film is a little deeper than your average 'New Jack City' or 'Juice'. Based on the Richard Price novel of the same name, Clockers, allows us to glimpse the senseless nature of black on black violence and the seemingly casual manner in which death is dealt with by the authorities. Spike Lee has never been shy to get up on his soapbox and matters relating to race and class surface within the context of the plot.
Clocker's was Mekhi Phifer's film debut and it shows. He's perhaps too good looking, like the wide eyed boyfriend of singer in a sickly sweet RnB video but its the Errol Barnes character I want to talk about. He's a bad man. Brilliantly acted by a grizzled and gnarled Byrd who spits and slurs his lines with genuine menace. Spike Lee has a real knack at unearthing real talent, even if it isn't the handsome lead. -
News and features
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Expect a sequel to Inside Man
- 02 Nov 2006
It has been reported that a sequel to this year's bank heist thriller, Inside Man, is in the works. The film, which starred Clive Owen, Jodie Foster and Denzel Washington, was directed by Spike Lee and made over $184 million (£96.4 million) in box office receipts worldwide. According to Variety, Lee is not confirmed to direct the sequel as yet, but is working on a script for the follow-up with Russell Gewirtz, who wrote the first film. Inside Man is the highest-grossing movie in Spike Lee's Read more
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