Christopher Reeve plays a magazine journalist who fakes a story that winds up on the front page. When his sources are questioned, he has to go into overdrive to get the actual legwork done and produce results. This means falling in with the streetwalking side of New York.
For years, the only thing I knew about this movie was that Reeve had to do "Superman IV" to get it made. That's about it. And "Street Smart" feels at home with Cannon Films because of its sleazy vibe; y'know, from the same people that brought you "52 Pickup".
It's not a *great* movie, but it does have noteworthy performances. Its star, for one, plus Kathy Baker as a seasoned sex worker, but also (and most importantly) Morgan Freeman. The man is electrifying here, playing a pimp that moodswings from charming to outright vicious.
At one point in the film, he has Baker against a wall, threatening her with scissors, and even I had to look away.
... In 2023.
It is a brutal scene, and the acting from both of them is phenomenal here.
That's "Street Smart" in a nutshell. On paper, it's mediocre, but credit to the actors for putting in some great work.
