Disaffected teenager Eric Roberts (a solid and likable portrayal by Brandon Douglas) runs away from home and goes to New York City, where he joins a gang of juvenile delinquents who eke out a living pushing dope for smooth and cunning drug dealer Otis Travis (ably played with lizard charisma to spare by Howard E. Rollins Jr.). Meanwhile, Eric's worried mother Sue (an excellent and affecting performance by Joanna Cassidy) desperately combs the streets of New York in search of her missing son.
Writer/director Curtis Hanson relates the engrossing story at a brisk pace, maintains a pretty tough and gritty tone throughout (Eric at one point even finds himself in a car with some creepy pedophile), displays in a realistic and unsentimental manner exactly why certain kids fall into a life of crime and vice, and makes fine use of the grimy Big Apple locations (yep, there are plenty of choice shots of Time Square in all its sublimely seedy mid-80's glory). Better still, Hanson never gets preachy about the subject matter and doesn't pull any punches concerning the ultimate dismal fates of certain characters. Moreover, the sound acting from the capable cast holds this picture together, with especially stand-out contributions from David Ackroyd as Eric's jerky stepdad Peter, Larry B. Scott as the streetwise and ambitious Skater, Jason Bernard as the practical Lt. Devins, and Danny Nucci as the decent, but down on his luck Luis Sotavento. Joe Spinell has a nifty small role as a gruff street vendor. Michael Shrieve's moody and pulsating score hits the funky-throbbing spot. Robert Elswit's slick cinematography provides a glittery neon look. Recommended viewing.
Writer/director Curtis Hanson relates the engrossing story at a brisk pace, maintains a pretty tough and gritty tone throughout (Eric at one point even finds himself in a car with some creepy pedophile), displays in a realistic and unsentimental manner exactly why certain kids fall into a life of crime and vice, and makes fine use of the grimy Big Apple locations (yep, there are plenty of choice shots of Time Square in all its sublimely seedy mid-80's glory). Better still, Hanson never gets preachy about the subject matter and doesn't pull any punches concerning the ultimate dismal fates of certain characters. Moreover, the sound acting from the capable cast holds this picture together, with especially stand-out contributions from David Ackroyd as Eric's jerky stepdad Peter, Larry B. Scott as the streetwise and ambitious Skater, Jason Bernard as the practical Lt. Devins, and Danny Nucci as the decent, but down on his luck Luis Sotavento. Joe Spinell has a nifty small role as a gruff street vendor. Michael Shrieve's moody and pulsating score hits the funky-throbbing spot. Robert Elswit's slick cinematography provides a glittery neon look. Recommended viewing.