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Cast: Tyson Beckford, Lynn Whitfield, Reginald T. Dorsey, Linara Washington, Bruce McGill, Glynn Turman, James Russo, Steven Williams
After two years in jail, Homer Hobbs, returns to his bleak urban home during the depths of the Great Depression. Sadly he discovers that life on the outside can be crueler than the backbreaking injustice of a chain gang. With no job, no prospects and no hope – Homer finds a kinship with four strangers: Benny, the street hustler eager to begin life anew in the sunshine of Florida; the suicidal Clarence, a nobody who aches to be somebody; Gracie, the despairing owner of a boarding house who lives with a secret; and Lucy, who harbors a mysterious past that threatens the lives of those she has come to love. Life is grim. But on Sunday nights, in a dingy hall, the men of the neighborhood piece together the finest attire their meager lives can beg, borrow or steal to compete in an unusual fashion contest. The big winner will go home with the five dollar prize. The real prize – far less tangible, yet priceless – is the chance to feel like a king, if just for an evening. To men like these, the touch of a woman, the adulation of the crowd, the feel of a fine-looking suit are proof enough that a man might yet escape the debasement of the Depression.
With all the movies coming out nowadays that are either all special effects and no story or comedies that offend more than they entertain "Kings of The Evening" is a refreshing piece on cinema that I hope gets a wider audience soon. The film takes place during the great depression and the cast is mostly an all black one but everyone will be able to relate to the story and characters. The film works on so many levels, first off like I stated before the story is one that everyone can relate to. Director and Co-Writer, Andrew P. Jones has taken a story that could of easily turned into a sad and depressing film but instead he created a film that also brings hope to it's characters and the audience as well. The cast was never short of perfect and to point out just one actor would be wrong because this was an ensemble cast and without all of them I doubt the film would be the same. The performances are brilliant by all including, Tyson Beckford, Lynn Whitfield, Reginald T. Dorsey, Linara Washington, Bruce McGill, Glynn Turman, James Russo and Steven Williams. This is one of those films that pulls at the heart strings and it never lets you go till the final frames fade into the credits. The film will be receiving a theatrical run soon thanks to Indican Pictures, I highly suggest you keep your eyes peeled and if possible make sure you get to see it. The story had me at times laughing and at other times sad but it also left me inspired and hopeful and feeling good. This is also a thought-provoking film that leaves you thinking long after it is over. It is not often that you get treated to a gem like this, a truly great film that entertains on the highest level. I have to congratulate all involved in the making of this film on doing such a fantastic job but I must thank them all too. A must-own film when it comes to DVD for anyone that loves cinema.
Released by Indican Pictures
***** Out Of *****