Walter Mosley’s short stories come to life with the flawless
acting of Laurence Fishburne in the title role of Socrates Fortlow, an ex-con
living in the Watts section of Los Angeles. The screenplay is also by the
author, so nothing is lost in the way of character development and the film is
a seamless companion to the book.
When Socrates moves into the neighborhood he forms an
unlikely bond with an 11 year old boy who is living with a secret; much as
Socrates is. There is a violent incident in the boy’s past which haunts him.
Realizing that holding this secret in will only lead the boy down wrong path he
sets out to encourage the boy to face up to the fear and put it behind him;
before it follows him, forever shadowing his life.
While looking for an honest job at a supermarket, he
collects aluminum cans which he redeems at the grocery store. Pushing a
shopping cart with the rest of the homeless and disenfranchised affects
Socrates in a predictable way; he is angry at the seeming injustice of the
whole system.
His best friend is sick and cannot afford the medicine he
needs to allay the pain of dying; much less the medical bills to be treated.
But Socrates knows someone who can provide the relief his friend needs, and he
is happy to provide the money necessary. His friends wife is a woman who does
not trust men; particularly African-American men; underscoring the gauntlet
which many African-American men must navigate within their own communities.
Disenfranchised from without and scorned from within.
As Socrates struggles to accept his past, he also needs to
fight for his future. But that future depends on the job at the grocery store,
and his lack of a car prevents his being hired there. Meantime his friend; who
is too proud to take a job in a lesser position than the one he lost; struggles
to keep his marriage together. Socrates wants to help him, but can’t understand
why he needs to be encouraged; after all he has a wife and child to take care
of. Isn’t that motivation enough?
This movie; and the book by Walter Mosley; both serve to
underscore how little we have moved forward socially; as far as economic
progress is concerned; since these stories were written almost 20 years ago. If
you have never read the stories then this book will serve as an excellent
introduction to a the character of Socrates Fortlow, a man who is emblematic of
not only the African-American struggle socially; but also of the every man in America
today who all fight to keep our heads above water and provide a future for our
families, as well as our communities.
The stellar cast of this film includes the following accomplished
actors; most of whom appear out of their usual characters;
Laurence Fishburne -
Socrates Fortlow
Bill Cobbs - Right
Burke
Natalie Cole - Iula
Brown
Daniel Williams -
Darryl
Cicely Tyson - Luvia
Bill Nunn - Howard
M'Shalla
Bridgid Coulter -
Corina M'Shalla
Isaiah Washington -
Wilfred
Bill Duke - Blackbird
Willis
