Sugar Hill

source: Sugar Hill

Very powerful film with a great story and great actors. This movie only gets better with time.

From Nino Brown to Roemello Skuggs the two Wesley Snipes characters are only similar in their location, New York City, and their profession, drugs. In just about every other way they are different. Roemello Skuggs has a drug dealing operation he runs with his brother Raynathan. It's a decent sized operation but nothing like a Tony Montana or even Nino Brown. But unlike the aforementioned drug lords, Roemello wants out. The question becomes how. This movie is more a drama than a shoot 'em up, cops and robbers, turf war type movie. Roemello's simplified drug life (if that's possible), is complicated by 1.) a woman (Theresa Randle) 2.) another drug dealer (Ernie Hudson) and 3.) his desire to leave Harlem and the dope game. The story plays out a little Spike Lee-ish. There's even a pervasive jazz tune playing throughout most of the movie much like Spike liked to do. The story was nice, acting also OK, it was just a little slow moving and Shakesperian tragedy for me.

SH was one of those fine drug movies, like Deep Cover, Menace To Society, that were around, pretty much the same time. What sucks, is like Menace To Society, this one missed an S.A. cinema release. From the first frame, or credits, you can tell you're in for none other, a fine two hours film, and this is exactly what you get with good black actors you like. We have a wonderfully refreshing opening, where a black mother O.D's. She has two little boys, where she uses the older one to cook her up a fix. This makes quite an impact on him, as we cut to a later time. Now grown up, this man (Wright, the wilder, out of control one) and brother (Snipes) are in the drug business, working for the NY mafia, under their boss played beautifully by Abe Vigoda, a fine sculptured performance. Snipes has fallen in love, and now sees that the future in this business is short limited, so he best be smart and get out now, so we know what's to ensue. He tries to pull his brother out of it, but he wants no part. I really like the drawn characters, as we really understand, who they are, but more importantly, why they are, what they are, especially Wright's character, that all come full circle in that dinner family scene with KFC. Wright is an exceptionally talented black actor, who really carves out his characters, like no other of his race I've seen. He's a more pathetic type, here, and he plays it wonderfully real, while Snipes is very good, and Clarence Williams 111, what can I say? Just another fine performance. Randle as Snipes's love interest is really good, where she plays a budding actress: waitress, that joke really old now. She's the victim of a nasty rape scene, too, by another black guy, which added some venom to this engrossing film. The end is rather hard hitting, engaging, which as to Snipes's fate, a real blow. The whole anti drug film is engaging, and lovers of these film, and others, I recommend it to ya, if you haven't seen it.

source: Sugar Hill

Wesley Snipes gives a heart felt performance in this movie about two brothers who get involved as young children with the White Mafia. Snipes and Wright truly are opposites in this one, which gives the movie a nice blend pace as you await Wright to snap at any moment. Added in the mix is actress Theresa Randle who does a nice job convincing you there is more to Snipes character than just killing for hire. Interaction between Snipes'character and his father are very well done. Adding a feel of compassion and hate. Wright's character gives this film an extra push in the category of character depth. Best scene: Snipes'character (Romello) tries to have a sit down dinner with his father and brother. Some of the best lines in the film are said in this scene. I recommend this movie it has appeal to a wide audience.

The movie has a very dark yet thoughtful feel to it. Wesley Snipes plays his role with a warm compassion for those around him. Michael Wright does overact quite a bit but he probably had a few years to go to become a good actor. Clarence Williams III was superb as the father. Theresa Randle is very good as the girlfriend. I almost fell in love with her myself. She seemed like the perfect woman. The rest of the movie is straight gangster done by a black cast except for Abe Vigoda who played his part excellently. I love the setting of the movie as well as the cinematography. Director Leon Ichaso has an eye for things and you can see that as you watch this movie. Its a shame that the movie didn't do well and the director never did another movie again. Snipes is at his best as he is trying to leave his troubled past but each time gets pulled back by the ghosts that haunt him. The atmosphere is pure noir, and though it is clearly set in the present, it has the magical sheen of a 1940's film. Recommended viewing for all lovers of film, despite the occasional preachiness. Overall rating: 8 out of 10.

I saw this with my friend on the 2nd day of UK release. The cinema was full...of empty seats apart from us 2 and 2 others who left half way through. We stuck it out ... to see if it got any worse ! It did .... we were happy ... a film at last we can say that is utter crap !

Yeah my review is at 2019, I watched ton of everything and at this time nothing really comes close to this kind of intense dramatic and deep performance as this plot delivers. Highly recommended.

I'm surprised that someone else has this opinion, but so be it. I thought this was a wonderful story about a young man from the projects, his close relationship with his younger brother, and his ambitions borne out of a disgraceful upbringing by his absentee, addicted parents. Also involved is his relationship with his brother, who seems to never have grown up at all. They start as drug runners on "Sugar Hill," and eventually run the place, with Romey the big kingpin. What's ironic, though, is that Sugar Hill (sugar = euphoric high on hard drugs) is the same place they grew up, and where their parents got strung-out thereby neglecting their responsibilities in guiding their children. Luckily, Romey came out of it with some sense, street and book, and he takes over as head of the family (the family that's left that is). This is a what I believe is a common tale of the recycling of the same woes that happens to families on the mean streets. I think it's an interesting phenomenon. Also very reminiscent of Scarface, in that the youths grow up with outrageous ambitions that no amount of money can ever appease, a need for power, money, success. The ending is bittersweet, but you feel satisfied with the outcome overall.