Alphabet City

Overlooked movie from 1984. As a movie I give it a 7 but as a 1980's "street drama" I give it a 10. excellent performance by a young Jamie Gertz as the whiny little sister coming of age in the cement Jungles of NY. Vince Spano I thought gave a realistic performance as the young street hustler who was actually a nice guy underneath.

Michael Windslow, the human sound effects guy who made his fame in the "Police Academy" movies was really good as drug house leader who is slowly spinning into a life as a junkie.

The Music....Now the music was just amazing. It was written by Nile Rogers from the disco era Chic. There is music on there that I have never been able to find anywhere. Look for a song called "Lady Luck"

Anyone who was a young adult in the 80's will see a blast from the past especially if they were around the big cities. It has its cheesy moments but all in all a decent flick.

Rent it from Net Flix.

I thought the movie was very realistic and could have been based on a friend of mine and my own rise and fall in the drug trade ('78 &'79). The fast cars, condemned buildings that we used to deal out of, the "shooting" galleries. Making sure your runners are always in pocket. Huge amounts of money trading hands daily. Seeing friends turn into junkies and not being able to help nor trust them once they crossed that line. Although the movie takes place over a 24 hour period, it was a 2 year experience for me and this movie captured it all,the highest highs and the lowest lows.

What started out as fun turned into a nightmare. I was able to get out and live to tell about it but so many of my friends and associates weren't so lucky.

I came to this site in search of the soundtrack and one song in particular, "Lady Luck". Like someone said earlier the soundtrack is awesome and Lady Luck was on my side.

Young Italian-American drug dealer, Johnny (Vincent Spano) is trying to make it in the world. He gets double crossed and has to rethink his plans.

Amos Poe is a fine director who so far has never got his big break. This film is a true independent film, but it lacks the panache of other directors who made it big in the 80s such as Spike Lee and Joe Dante. Vincent Spano has sadly never been an A-lister, but he looks the part and is decent. After playing tough guys in films like Rumble Fish this isn't a departure for him in terms of character. The real star of the show is the cinematography by Oliver Wood. A lot of attention has been paid to the lighting, set design and camera work. The film has a neon look to it reminiscent of films like Blade Runner, Thief and Manhunter. It is style over substance and the derivative plot, one dimensional characterisation and corny dialogue make for a mediocre viewing experience.

The film is not widely remembered or respected, and it falls way short compared to similar hood thrillers like those by Walter Hill (Streets of Fire was released the same year) .

Looking at film history, one can pick any decade and easily find a film that deals with the subject teen angst, crime, or juvenile delinquency. The 80's are no exception to that, as we can see with 1984's "Alphabet City". Taking place in the real life (and at the time troubled) neighborhood of New York City, it concerns the story of a young, punk street dealer named Johnny (Vincent Spano in his younger days). Johnny lives the life, has a hot girlfriend and young daughter, as well as a sweat ride. But he begins to have second thoughts about everything when he's ordered by his mob boss, Gino (a very effective Raymond Serra) to burn down the building where his mother and little sister are living. What follows next is a run for his life as Johnny does everything to collect old debts to get himself and his family out of dodge.

Before I go on, let me be honest: The film won't win any academy awards. It is what is, a low budget teen crime drama. And yet the film is memorable, if not for its writing than for the look and feel of it. "Alphabet City" perfectly captures the time it was made in, the early eighties, be it the fashion (the bright colored "tights" girls used to wear in night clubs, Oh Yeah!) or the quasi disco/early 80's dance music that was happening at the time. One song called "Lady Luck" is especially memorable since they play it throughout much of the film. It might not be anything special, but after a while, it is pretty catchy. Another point that helps is the dedication the actors give to their roles, despite the film being as low budget as it is. Vincent Spano is fairly convincing as the drug dealer who grows a conscience, as is Michael Winslow as Lippy, Johnny's drug addicted partner in crime. In particular, Winslow makes you feel for Lippy, as he inspires feelings of hopelessness and despair with his crazy antics and street rhythms. Rounding out the cast is Kate Vernon as Angie, Johnny's girlfriend, and a very young and just starting out Jami Gertz as Johnny's sister Sophia. But above all, perhaps what makes "Alphabet City" so memorable is a genuine feeling of the price one might be required to pay when he enters the drug game (Another commenter on this site who admits to being involved in the drug trade during this time said the same thing. Luckily for him, he was able to get out of the game but not before seeing many of his friends being "retired" for good). And on that note, if you're in the mood for some 80's fun and decent teen story, check out "Alphabet City". Directed by Amos Poe.

Johnny (Vincent Spano) is a drug pusher working for the mob in New York City. He's driving around in his Trans Am and running the operation around his neighborhood. His 15 year old sister Sophia (Jami Gertz) is an escort. He's desperate to get her and their mother out of the hood. Lippy (Michael Winslow) is his friend. Angie (Kate Vernon) is his girlfriend.

This is so 80's although it is borrowing from the 70's. I don't know anything about director Amos Poe. He seems to have made a name as an outsider indie filmmaking in the New York City scene. I like the ground level aesthetics although the filmmaking is a little rough. It is just so cheesy. I'm sure that it's not the initial intention but it's so 80's. The story is pretty straight forward. I do like it all being in one night.