A Rage in Harlem

source: A Rage in Harlem

Trailer—A Rage in Harlem

A Rage in Harlem

I'm not sure why this movie isn't as popular as it is funny. Is it because everyone was/is hating on Robin Givens? It has wonderful actors/actress, interesting plot and just plain funny. It's a comedy, drama and a love story that wins in the end. It might make you even not hate Mister (Danny Glover) as much as it was filmed not long after The Color Purple. Judge for yourself, you know most white critic's don't like it. That's because they don't understand black folks. We are so different, including our humor. Check it out.

Watching this movie, I was reminded of Harlem Nights constantly. But, whereas the other is meant to be funny, I fear that 'Rage' is 5 stars short of being a good drama. I hate to spoil anything for the fortunate viewer that has yet to see the movie, but to avoid a sour stomach, pass on this one. I can only think of a few war movies that had more killings than this did. And with the 'can't-catch-my-breath' action (at times senseless), the movie-goer may just hyper-ventilate themselves to sleep.

People who have not lived the black experience have no idea what they are experiencing in this movie. The characters are true to form from my black experience growing up in the 50's

A Rage in Harlem (1991) is a movie I watched for the first time in a long time on Amazon Prime. The storyline involves the woman of a drug lord who steals a briefcase of money and needs to find a quick and cheap place to live. She stashes away with a virgin, religious mamas boy who would appear to have no hope with her. Her misfortunes may lead to his good fortunes. This movie is directed by Bill Duke (Hoodlum) and stars Robin Givens (Boomerang), Forest Whitaker (Fast Times at Ridgemont High), Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon) and Zakes Mokae (The Serpent and the Rainbow). The storyline for this picture is fairly straightforward but entertaining. Badja Djola (The Last Boy Scout) played a solid villain and Givens delivered a sly and unpredictable character well. Whitaker was great as the clumsy lover boy too. The cast and execution was perfect. The storyline wasn't as compelling to me as Duke's Hoodlum but it is still entertaining and worth a viewing. I'd score this a 6.5/10.

I am totally surprised at the low rating of this film.I read numerous critic reviews to find that it was well received.I have a fondness for offbeat films and find myself at odds with critical reviews most of the time but in this case we choose to agree.I signed up to counter the one star rating left by the person who was afraid of what his girlfriend would think of him for taking her on a date to see this movie.(jeez)About the film...I was lucky enough to stumble across a print a while back,I was always a fan of "Cotten come to Harlem "and found this film much more enjoyable due to it's superb direction,well made sets and an excellent cast.The movie starts with a bang and never lets up.At times you will cringe and laugh at the same time,you get to see a famous blues player perform in a nightclub(EXCELLENT)and of course the best shot of Robin Given's butt ever committed to film.I loved it!!!!

Seductress gun moll Imabelle (Robin Givens) escapes a gunfight with white police in Mississippi and steals a trunk full of gold ending up in Harlem. Religiously devoted undertaker Jackson (Forest Whitaker) is a pushover and he completely falls under her spell. His brother Goldy (Gregory Hines) is a gangster. Easy Money (Danny Glover) is a more ruthless mobster. Scary men from the south have arrived looking for the gold. Jackson needs an early scene with Goldy to set up their relationship. Robin Givens uses all her sex appeal. Whitaker is always good. In this one, he's forced to bend a bit too far. He can be this pushover but he can't be clueless. At times, he drifts into cluelessness. The writing is not always the best. Everybody is acting over the top in gangster style. It adds an interesting but flawed movie.

I think this is an underrated classic. A story of gold,double-cross,love,revenge and death all served up with great humour nicely by the main characters. The acting is great especially Forest Whittaker as the loser who eventually comes good. Robin Givens is superb and sexy in this role as she steals the gold from her partners and goes on the run. The late great Gregory Hines is also in top form as Whittaker's brother who is only interested in the gold at first. Badja Djola plays a memorably vicious villain and Danny Glover pops up as a rival gangster who "had another dream" about Givens - much to the fury of Djola. This film has some great comic moments. The music score by Elmer Bernstein is also superb.