Always Outnumbered

Starring:Laurence Fishburne, Daniel Williams (VII), Bill Cobbs, Natalie Cole, Laurie Metcalf, Alan Wilder, Cicely Tyson, Bridgid Coulter, Bill Nunn, Isaiah Washington, Bill Duke, Kevin Carroll, Jamaal Carter, John Toles-Bey, Brooke Marie Bridges, John Gavigan, Perry Moore, Sammi Rotibi, Art Evans, Danny Goldring
Director: Michael Apted
Studio: Hbo Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Description

Sometimes life throws a curve ball, a fork in the road, or a wall between you and what you want. For Socrates Fortlow, life keeps getting in the way, but nothing stays in the way of a man with his mission. Socrates is going to make it - his way on his terms - and if you aren't part of the solution, then you know where you stand. If you're a killer terrorizing the neighborhood, you'll have to deal with him first. If you're a beautiful woman who deserves more attention, attention will be paid. If you're a witness to murder and you need protection, you're staying alive in his hands. Life's questions can be hard, but the answers are east. When it comes to trouble, you look for the man who's still standing. Because the way he's fighting for his life is the way you want him fighting for yours.

DVD Features:
Biographies
Other:Chapter Selections

Customer Reviews:

The Power Of One.......2007-04-15

What's odd about Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned is that its only flaws are attributable to the screenplay, which was written by Walter Mosley, who also wrote the book it's based on. The film feels like a succession of vignettes loosely strung together, unified by a central character. Fortunately that central character, Socrates Fortlow, is played by Laurence Fishburne, who is easily strong enough to carry the film on his shoulders. (Trivia buffs may be interested to learn that Fishburne's first role was in Apocalypse Now.)

The picture is rich with talent. In addition to Fishburne, (unforgettable in What's Love Got To With It?), there's Cicely Tyson, Natalie Cole, Laurie Metcalf, and a really nice performance from Bill Cobbs. Director Michael Apted is no slouch either, having given us Gorillas In The Mist and Nell, among others. High points to HBO - again - for setting the quality standard. Despite an (almost) all black cast, and a ghetto setting, (not to mention an ex-con protagonist), this is not the typical gangsta dreck we've come to expect from Hollywood. (Call me the next time Hollywood makes a feature film about a black CPA, heart surgeon, or symphony conductor.)

What we have instead is a thoroughly gripping story of a solitary man emerging from prison after 18 years, a convicted rapist and murderer, trying to find a place for himself in society. He has clearly had plenty of time to come to terms with his crimes, and the significance of using violence to solve problems. He has also developed a kind of stoicism. Where prison is hideously corrupting for many, for Socrates it has been a place to learn self-respect, responsibility, and independence. He has few social interactions, but to each one he brings tremendous personal power, a sense of justice, and a willingness to extend himself for the benefit of others.

Despite his nobility, there is still a tremendous rage burning in Socrates. We see it in its most raw form when he encounters the workaday world he is trying to re-enter. He is willing to play by the rules, and he carries himself with manners that are almost courtly, but despite his best efforts even getting a job at a supermarket is virtually impossible. It sounds improbable, but by the time this movie is over we feel nothing but sympathy for Socrates and believe, as his friend does, that he is a "hero." Not a hero from the comic books, and not an anti-hero either. Just an everyday hero who has managed to pull himself out of the muck, regain dignity despite what he's done, and touch a handful of lives in a way that is so uniquely positive, only he could have done it. Uplifting, and highly recommended.

Very enjoyable!.......2006-10-30

An insightful perspective on the "hidden" part of society--the challenges in the life of the low-income, marginally employed population. Laurence Fishburn gives an awesome performance as a former convict with a heart of gold. Check it out!

A Hollywood film actually worth watching.......2006-05-08

Well actually its not a Hollywood film its an HBO film. If you want to take that as a jab against Hollywood feel free to do so.
Unlike many films that intellectually comment on racism, violence, and poverty this film puts you emotionally right in the middle of all of it. Instead of feeling pity, you respect the main characters strength and courage on his difficult journey. The acting is first rate with truth and real emotions conveyed in every scene. Laurence Fishburne is excellent in this role, you never for one moment think he's anyone but Socrates Fortlow.
Theres a few pacing problems and there is a lull in the later part of the film, but the films strengths far outweigh any issues here.
For its humanity and its eye-opening emotional power I give this film 5 stars.

disjointed and needed.......2006-01-02

i have lots of white friends and none of them know what it is like to be me. and to make things worse, i don't know what it is like to be Socrates Fortlow. And that's how the circle goes. Socrates doesn't know what it is like to be me either. Life continues...

Socrates Fortlow was told in book form years ago. Now, it is brought to us via the tube starring many black actors and actresess in top form. There are lots of weird script troubles, but if you can get past them, this is a very good flick. Socrates is a good guy who has a problem fighting his past. All he wants is to get a job and help his friends. His friends problems stem from marital trouble, murder, physical illness and just plain emotional stress. But, Socrates is there to help even if it means his freedom. Good man, good film.

The book is a bunch of stories just thrown in at us and we readers are supposed to put the good parts together and make it make sense. I enjoyed the book, but I am not stupid to its problems. The movie does away with everything but the essense of the story and puts it all together completely out of order. But that doesn't matter because it doesn't matter how you read the story. It's perfect bathroom reading. Go through a chapter on the john, bookmark the page and move on. If you don't bookmark the page, so what? You missed nothing.

Socrates was named by his mom, hoping that having a smart man's name would make him smart. he messed that up early with a prison sentence when he was young. Socco, as his friends call him (his story inappropriately told in voice-over) has been in jail for rape and murder. he is finally out and trying to live his life. he is a naturally violent man who sees life the way we should all see it but deals with it in ways that we should all refrain from.

Most of the essense from the book is in this film with a few embelishes. A good deal of the other stuff was thrown out completely. For the most part, I am astounded at how easily screenwriter/author Mosely puts this thing together while erasing a lot of his artist's integrity. Not many author's would dissect their books in such a way unless they were made believers.

I imagined a worked out Danny Glover as the lead instead of Larry Fishburne. Fishburne is way too young for the part and Glover has the notoriously big hands so celebrated in the novel. But since Fishburne EP'd the project it probably never would have been make without him. All in all, good job.

I think I will put together a LIST about movies and books that tell the black story. That way, it would be easier for white society to see the difference as shown to us in this flick.

This movie just strikes a chord for me.......2005-10-31

I can certainly see how people could overlook this underpublicized gem. I can even see how some people just wouldn't identify with this film. I can't imagine, however, how anyone that has had any kind of serious struggle in their lives wouldn't be moved by this film and it incredible writing, acting, production, and HUMAN values. Socrates Fortlow is a brilliant symbol for something very special. Socrates Fortlow is a man, a human being, unwilling to abandon decency, compassion, and integrity in face of a life of overwhelming hardship.

There is no doubt that much of Fortlow's tragic life is a byproduct of some of his own rash actions. There is also no doubt that the deck was and still is stacked against him. If anything, this movie reinforces my own personal belief that some people pay for their mistakes more than others. What really moves me about this movie and this characters, however, is Fortlow's unyielding quest to acknowledge his shortcomings, be his own man, and share his tremendous inner strength with others who may be a little short on what they need to make the right decisions themselves.

Through his outreach, Fortlow places himself on a path to redemption, even though he scarely seems aware of this himself. Fortlow doesn't reach out as pennance, he does it because he genuinely seems to feel and care about those around him. He is driven by the kind of empathy and compassion that only someone that has suffered deeply can have. His kind actions are instinctive, not planned, and it underscores, in giant terms, the profound decency of the man: the kind of decency I only wish we could find among the "blameless."

This is definitely one of my personal "top 10" movies and I can't see it being displaced anytime soon.

Average customer rating:

ABC News UpClose with Walter Mosley

Manufacturer: ABC News
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Crime & Conspiracy | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

amazon.com

What JFK did for Ian Fleming when he revealed that he was a big fan of James Bond and the 007 novels, Bill Clinton did for Walter Mosley. Until President Clinton let the world know that he is a voracious reader of Mosley's novels, the author's fan base was largely limited to an African-American readership. After all, Mosley's black and so are the heroes and heroines of his crime novels. But there is nothing that draws a crowd like a crackling good yarn.

Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned / First-Time Felon

Average customer rating:

PROTECTOR

Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned / First-Time Felon
Starring: Brooke Marie Bridges , Kevin Carroll , Jamaal Carter , Bill Cobbs , and Natalie Cole
Manufacturer: Hbo Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0001WTWVA
Release Date: 2004-05-04

Customer Reviews:

PROTECTOR.......2005-02-11

Meet Socrates Fortlow. He is a murderer who has done his time and now is trying to reintegrate into society. The question is will society let him? Laurence Fishburne gives an outstanding performance of a man ready to make amends for the wrongs he has done but won't allow the system to make his less than a man or brute as they would like him. Socrates is older, wiser and still full of fury against those who would attempt to break his spirit.
Throughout the movie we can feel Socrates' anger but we see his compassion for his dying friend (Bill Cobbs), a young woman whose husband won't stay home and finally for a young boy who needs a father and help from a gang determined to kill him. This is a film of where a man comes to terms with his past, does the best he can to protect those in the present and is trying to build a new future. The brilliant cast of Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned shows redemption in the Black community. It is not a religious redemption but one where you put the pieces of your lives back together and endure. Socrates attempts to be not only the protector in his ghetto community but also as a man who lends hope to its members.

{16 MOVIE SET} River Niger / Final Comedown / Mean Johnny Barrows / Lady Cocoa / Harlem Rides the Range / Moon Over Harlem / Big Timers / Dirty Gertie From Harlem, Usa / Bloody Brood / Fast and the Furious (1954) / Mutiny in the Big House / Swamp Women / Boys Reformatory / Dark Mountain / Hurricane Express / Fire Alarm

Average customer rating:

{16 MOVIE SET} River Niger / Final Comedown / Mean Johnny Barrows / Lady Cocoa / Harlem Rides the Range / Moon Over Harlem / Big Timers / Dirty Gertie From Harlem, Usa / Bloody Brood / Fast and the Furious (1954) / Mutiny in the Big House / Swamp Women / Boys Reformatory / Dark Mountain / Hurricane Express / Fire Alarm

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVD:

DVD

DVD

DVD

Carlita's Secret

Paul McCartney: Live at the Cavern Club!

Home Alone / Home Alone 2 - Lost In New York [1990]

DVD: Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy: Early Silent Classics,

Stomp Out Loud / Brooms