RAGE IN HARLEM
US, 1991, 108 minutes, Colour.
Forest Whitaker, Gregory Hines, Robyn Givens, Danny Glover.
Directed by Bill Duke.
Rage in Harlem was one of a spate of films made by black writers and directors during 1991. Others include New Jack City, Hangin with the Homeboys, Boyz in the Hood, Jungle Fever, Straight out of Brooklyn. This film was directed by stage and television actor, Bill Duke. It was produced by its star Forrest Whittaker. Whittaker gives an engaging performance and the cast includes such veterans as Gregory Hines and a guest spot by Danny Glover. The focus of attention is on Robyn Givens.
The film is based on a 50s novel about a gold robbery and the consequences for night club owner from gangsters in Harlem. The film relies on the conventions of the thriller genre. However, it also spoofs them in the characters, the parody of police dramas the characters - even to the death of the pet dog. The film is colourful as well as violent. It is designed as an entertainment primarily for black audiences in the U.S., the characters with which the audience is familiar, the interactions, the language. It is an entertaining thriller comedy for fans of crime features.
1. The place of the film in 1991 and the number of films made by black directors for black audiences? The impact for the black audience, for American audiences generally, worldwide audiences?
2. The reliance on the conventions of the thriller genre: the opening in Mississippi, the atmosphere of the 50s, black criminals, the clash with the whites, the focus on Harlem and it world, violence, greed? The echoes of film noir? The blend of the serious and the spoof?
3. Mississippi in the 50s, Harlem in the 50s: streets, clubs, apartments? Authentic and stylised? The musical score, songs?
4. The title - whose rage in Harlem?
5. The pre-credits situation, the confrontation between black and white in Mississippi, the stealing of the gold, the payment, the betrayal? The siege? The violence? Estabelle and her presence, not wanting any deaths? Her escaping with the gold?
6. Harlem and the focus on Jackson? The large and proper man? His waking up, his prayer? The photo of his mother and the picture of Jesus (and the range of jokes about the two pictures)? His piety, neatness, orderliness? People mocking him, not being allowed on the bus, late for work? His work at the undertakers? Friends and associates? Persuaded to go to the dance? The chance meeting with Estabelle, the water on her dress? His isolation, her meeting with him, dancing, insinuating herself? His inviting her home, giving her the room, keep vigil? The love and attraction? Her seduction, the sexual experience and turning the pictures around? His involvement with her and her using him? Bringing the case with the gold? Stealing the money from his employer? The plan for the money deal - and the explosion? The interactions with Easy Money? The desperation, his relationship with Sherman - and the plan? The pursuit of the criminals from Mississippi? Getting his brother's help? The deaths, the violence? The confrontation with Slim? The chases, the police, the shoot-outs? trusting Estabelle or not? The final rescue, her shooting Slim to save him? Her leaving, his following? The decision and chasing her into the train? A future in Mississippi? His type - and the transformation?
7. Imabel and her glamour, presence in Mississippi, masterminding the robbery, not wanting deaths? Capitalising on the situation, her presence, sexuality and beauty? People helping her? Arrival in New York, the hotel, going to the dance, the reaction to Jackson, her decision to use him? Going home, his vigil? Her seduction? Bringing the gold? Jackson's help, stealing the money? Easy money and the interest in buying the gold? Goldy and his interest? The police? Slim's arrival, the plan, the deceptions, the violence? Her feelings - and shooting Slim to save Jackson? Her note and decision to leave? With Jackson in the train - a future?
8. Goldy, the Harlem type, dancing, the clubs, women, deals? As a conman (dressed as a clergyman)? The women? His devotion to Big Kathy? The clashes with Easy Money? The clashes with Jackson, the irony of their being stepbrothers? His interest in the gold? Jackson getting his help? The plans, phone calls to the police? The confrontations and the violence? His being wounded? Slim and his death? The murder of Big Kathy and his grief? The farewell to Jackson - who called him Goldy?
9. Big Kathy, transvestite, in the clubs? Manner, local knowledge? Friendship with Goldy, advice? The clash - and the brutality of his being killed?
10. Easy Money, his style, henchman, pet dog? The pressure on Goldy? The gold? The possibility of buying, his office? The parody of the black gangsters? The confrontation with Slim and his men? The shoot-out, taking the dog as hostage - and the humour of the dog being bashed by the door? His death?
11. Slim, his gang, Mississippi, the deaths of the white men? The pursuit? Imabel, her pretending to be faithful to him, his wanting the gold back, pursuit of Jackson, the violence, confrontation with Easy Money? The henchman being killed? His pursuit of Jackson and Goldy? Imabel shooting him?
12. The role of the police, contacts, threats? Travelling in pairs? The irony of the arrest of Jackson, putting him in jail? His being put out on bail from his boss?
13. The blend of serious themes with entertainment? The use of the gangster genre - with the parody?
