CHARM CITY KINGS
US, 2020, 123 minutes, Colour.
Jahi di' Alli Winston, Meek Mill, Will Catlett, Toyna Parris.
Directed by Angel Manuel Soto.
Baltimore setting, made famous especially by the television series, The Wire.
This time the focus is on a 14-year-old boy, nickname Mouse, living at home, but with peer pressure and ambition, he wants to be part of the Midnight Clique, a dirt bike riding group. He does become involved, but it presents him with moral dilemmas, quick and easy money compared with a good and proper life.
Images of the American cities, poorer neighbourhoods, crime and police, the attraction of bikes, and moral choices for a young boy.
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- The title? Expectations? An African- American story, characters, issues, crime, drugs, police, prison? In the background of bikes and cars?
- The Baltimore story, the city, views, neighbourhoods, homes, the streets and vehicles, police precincts, garages and repairs…? The musical score?
- Mouse, his story? Age, at home with his mother, her support? The mysterious death of his brother? His passion for bikes, riding? The Ride, Mouse forbidden, going, buying the bike, with his friends? The later meeting Nikki, photography?
- Detective Rivers, following Mouse, knowing him, the death of his brother, his concern for Mouse, his warnings?
- Mouse, the encounters with Blax, the car repairs, working for him? Blax and the background of drug dealing, Mouse’s brother and his death? Detective Rivers and the confrontation with Blax? Mouse working in the auto shop? Riding, his crash?
- Mouse, friends, becoming involved with the drug dealing, midnight Midnight Cinque, the club, mouse and his involvement?
- Mouse, the bike, the encounter with Derrick, the ride, Derrick stealing it, Mouse and his friends, the pursuit, the violent confrontation, the gang arriving, Blax and his beating Derrick?
- Mouse and the difficulties with Blax, the jobs in the auto shop, his friends, rejecting Nikki? Taking up with the drugs, the deliveries? His mother, the money?
- The attack on the store, the shooting, the wife, the effect on Mouse? Detective Rivers, the pursuit? Blax shielding Mouse, his being arrested and taken away?
- A year later, Mouse working again at the vet, with the dog, reuniting with Nicky, groceries for his mother?
