CUT THROAT CITY

US, 2020, 123 minutes, Colour.

Shameik Moore, Demetrius Shipp Jr, Denzel Whitaker, Keean Johnson, Kat Graham, T.I., Terrence Howard, Rob Morgan, Eliza Gonzalez, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes, Isaiah Washington.

Directed by RZA.

The setting is New Orleans, in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. There is devastation, and the effect is felt on four young men from a poor neighbourhood. They are persuaded by a gangster to participate in a daring robbery on a casino.

The film shows the robbery, its failure, the effect on the young men, their having to flee – and their being pursued by detectives as well as a warlord who thinks that they have taken his money. Strong drama, directed by the actor and composer, RZA, with the young cast but also a number of veterans including Terrence Howard, Rob Morgan, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes, Isaiah Washington.

A strong variation on American gangster themes, with the atmosphere of Katrina and its destruction in New Orleans.

1. The title? Crime and gangsters in American cities? James, his graphic novel, the title?
2. The importance of the New Orleans setting, the black community, lifestyles, universities and education, lack of education, lack of job opportunity? Hurricane Katrina, the glimpses of the devastation, the voice-over narrative? Homelessness, the organisation for funding, interviews, rejections? Drug dealing, casinos, control, corrupt police, the role of politicians and aldermen?
3. The atmosphere of the city, the neighbourhoods, homes, criminals, casinos, offices, police precincts? The cemetery? Musical score?
4. The focus on Blink/James? With his brother? The visits to their mother? His education at the University, sketching, his graphic novel? The preparation for the wedding? The happiness of the wedding, his wife, son, bonding with him? Hanging out with his friends? The long friendship and bonds? His visit to the editor, the discussion, the influence from University days, rejection? He and his wife going for the interview, financial support, rejected? The impact and consequences?
5. The sketch of the of the three friends, together, the drug dealer and watching him doing the deal is? Issues of black-and-white?
6. The decision to rob the casino, going to Cousin Bass? The setup? His influence? The hold-up, the patrons, the masks, the money, shooting, Andre and his death? Going to The St for help with disposing of his body? Cousin Bass and his reaction, demanding more money, James, the torture, the rescue?
7. The role of Cousin Bass, influence, personality? The contact with Courtney, undercover, corrupt, links?
8. The men having to hide, going to James’s father, his living alone, not wanting them, not wanting the money in his house?
9. The aldermen, his role, his house? Sympathetic towards the young men?
10. Lucinda, getting the call, investigating the case, the visits, to the mother, the various interviews, her contacts? With the aldermen and his influence, support? Tracking down James, discussions with him?
11. The role of The Saint, the church, the meetings, control, rivalries, the discussion with Bass, shooting him?
12. The men themselves, in hiding, the further robberies, the store? The decision to attack the company with the funds for support after Katrina? The plan, the masks? Going in, the getaway car, the money, the security guard, shot? The confrontation, the police, the shootings – deaths?
13. The men, deaths or not? The future? James, the discussions with Lucinda, reunited with his wife, the son, bringing them to meet his father?
14. The aldermen, the aftermath, in the cemetery, his soliloquy about the dead? Courtney arriving, the money, the aldermen shooting him? Then setting up the young man to control the neighbourhood?
15. The mix of fact and fiction, Katrina, the injustices, the treatment of the African-Americans, gangsters, police and authorities?