Clockers (1995)

Young drug pushers in the projects of Brooklyn live hard dangerous lives, trapped between their drug bosses and the detectives out to stop them.

Director:

Spike Lee

Writers:

Richard Price (book), Richard Price (screenplay),

Stars:

Harvey Keitel, John Turturro, Delroy Lindo

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Harvey Keitel	...	Det. Rocco Klein
John Turturro	...	Det. Larry Mazilli
Delroy Lindo	...	Rodney Little
Mekhi Phifer	...	Ronald 'Strike' Dunham
Isaiah Washington	...	Victor Dunham
Keith David	...	André the Giant
Peewee Love	...	Tyrone 'Shorty' Jeeter (as Pee Wee Love)
Regina Taylor	...	Iris Jeeter
Thomas Jefferson Byrd	...	Errol Barnes (as Tom Byrd)
Sticky Fingaz	...	Scientific
Fredro Starr	...	Go (as Fredro)
Elvis Nolasco	...	Horace (as E.O. Nolasco)
Lawrence B. Adisa	...	Stan
Hassan Johnson	...	Skills
Frances Foster	...	Gloria

Storyline

Strike is a young city drug pusher under the tutelage of drug-lord Rodney Little, who, when not playing with model trains or drinking Moo for his ulcer, just likes to chill with his brothers near the benches outside the project houses. When a night man at a fast-food restaurant is found with four bullets in his body, Strike's older brother turns himself in as the killer. Det. Rocco Klein doesn't buy the story, however, and sets out to find the truth, and it seems that all the fingers point toward Strike & Rodney.

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Plot Keywords:

drugs | drug lord | train | role model | new york city | 

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Taglines:

When there's murder on the streets, everyone is a suspect.

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Genres:

Drama | Crime | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong graphic violence, strong language and drug content

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 September 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Nepperek

Filming Locations:

88th Precinct - 298 Classon Avenue, Fort Greene, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$13,040,603 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Spike Lee's previous film, Crooklyn, featured the song "Crooklyn" over the end credits. Clockers features a remix of the same song during the opening scene in the courtyard. While the original version of the song was nostalgic and wistful, matching the tone of Crooklyn, the version featured here is grim and pessimistic, in keeping with the mood of this film.

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Goofs

After speaking with Det. Rocco Klein outside the police station, the shadows of the buildings change size, and the position of Rodney's car is different in each of the three shots showing Ronald approaching the car and getting on.

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Quotes

Ronald 'Strike' Dunham: Why was you so gung-ho about all this shit, man? Most cops... Brothers killin' other brothers aint no big thing. Blasé, blasé. What made you care about me, my brother Victor, Darryl Adams, Tyrone? Huh? What made you give a shit?
Det. Rocco Klein: If I ever see you again... I'll book you on charges of criminal solicitation and conspiracy to commit murder. I'll let Andre beat you down again, then pick up Rodney on the same charges and I'll make sure you two share the same cell, the same fuckin' bed. Do you ...
[...]

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Connections

Featured in Spike Lee's '25th Hour': The Evolution of an American Filmmaker (2003)

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Soundtracks

"People in Search of a Life"
Written by Raymond Jones
Performed by Marc Dorsey

User Reviews

Perfect movie

Clockers refers to drug dealers who work around the clock on an organized schedule. The movie takes place in no other city than New York, Spike Lee's trademark as a director. Strike (Phiefer) is a clocker who works with his friends in the park selling high potency drugs to neighborhood people, under the command of Rodney, the drug dealer of the area. Rodney tells Strike if he wants to get off the benches he should kill a man named Daryl who is selling ounces and making lots of cash, Strike considers it, but he isn't a killer. That night Strike's brother Victor comes into the bar and is mentally upset and talks to Strike. A little later Daryl is killed by four gunshots, one in the leg, one in the head, one in the chest, and one caught between his teeth. Spike Lee shows off the gritty urban street crime life here perfectly. Harvey Keitel and John Turturro play homicide detectives who take the case, and the clockers are the main suspects.

Clockers is a surreal look at the drug buisness, friendship, descision making, and death in the city. This movie has a flawless cast, the clockers, the detectives, and Rodney and Harold the dealers are perfect. The script is great too, as it has suprises, good dialogue, action, and setting. The direction is almost perfect, especially the last scene with the train, Spike Lee is one of the most underrated directors ever. This movie is made to please, action lovers will find it interesting, and film buffs should find it fascinating! Keep an open mind from beginning to end and analyze ever scene with its content. Great movie 10/10