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Sean Nelson, Giancarlo Esposito, Samuel L. Jackson, N'Bushe Wright, Ron Brice ... see more see more... , Jean Claude Lamarre , Cheryl Freeman , F Murray Abraham , Mateo Gomez , Robert Jimenez , Paul L.Q. Lee , Curtis L. McClarin , Davenia McFadden , Cortez Nance Jr. , Joe Pentangelo , Anthony Ruiz , Martin Shakar , Anthony Thomas , Yul Vázquez , Lawrence Bender , Guillermo Díaz , Charles Malik Whitfield , Jose Zuniga , Matthew Faber , Randy Ostrow , Jean-Claude La Marre , Luis Lantigua

A bright young African-American boy attempts to survive life in the city by acting as an errand boy for a drug dealer in this thoughtful, sharply plotted drama. Known as Fresh, the young man must use ... read more read more...his delivery jobs to support himself and his troubled sister, receiving nothing from his distant, alcoholic father but the occasional chess lesson. His intelligence and quiet determination serve him well, as he wins the trust of his employer and settles into an unpleasant but survivable routine. Even this small comfort disappears, however, when Fresh accidentally witnesses the killing of a classmate and becomes a potential target himself. Forced into an impossible situation, he puts his experience and strategic ability to good use, developing a tricky plan to protect his own life and defeat the killers. First-time director Boaz Yakin emphasizes restraint and realism, presenting potentially sensationalistic material with a minimum of violence and flash. Instead, attention is placed on the strong, layered performances, particularly Sean Nelson as Fresh and Samuel L. Jackson as his embittered father. While some have questioned the film's treatment of inner city life, the film was generally acclaimed, thanks to its seriousness and complexity. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

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89% liked it

7,261 ratings

Critics

90% liked it

21 critics

R, 1 hr. 55 min.

Directed by: Boaz Yakin

Release Date: January 1, 1994

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DVD Release Date: February 5, 2002

Stats: 486 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (486)

  • Godless
    March 12, 2008
    Godless
    Samuel L. Jackson wasn't his usual over the top self. Instead he brings a great performance to a small role.
  • rezpatriot
    January 26, 2008
    rezpatriot
    I loved this film as a teen. Yet I think I would get slightly bored today, because its a one of story and doesn't really narrate into anything contemporary.
  • garyX
    March 4, 2007
    garyX
    One of the best of the host of urban dramas based in the projects, an uncompromising tale of inner city violence and crime seen through the eyes of a 12 year old boy.
  • Tss807
    May 16, 2010
    Tss807
    A pretty good and very underrated movie. This kid is a genius and the ending was great. The only negative would have to be all the ebonics throughout which make it some what hard to follow.
  • mattsigur1
    June 26, 2011
    mattsigur1
    While this movie has its scenes (the chess matches), I think a lot of early '90s independent film got by with shock value and relentlessly profanity. This film is no different. Look, I don't give a shit about cussing and all, I mean this film is about a teenaged drug runner in NY... read moreC, but my point is - shock and profanity isn't a good cover for bad dialogue, it can't cover up the fact that some parts of this film were lazily-written.
  • smootysveen
    June 19, 2007
    smootysveen
    An endearing story, beautifully photographed.
  • qtmemoe
    April 16, 2007
    qtmemoe
    Smart Kid...
  • fb37708250
    April 8, 2012
    fb37708250
    A powerful urban-drama that deserves mention alongside Boyz N The Hood and Menace II Society amongst the best entries in the genre. In fact - and I'm about to say something that some people may consider to be heresy - this one might even be a little better than those fine titles.... read more Certainly, it does have a more unique perspective and this goes beyond just the geographical differences (the earlier two films transpired in South Central L.A. whereas this takes place in New York City). One thing that sets this one apart is that it's as much a thriller as it is a drama - the main character is given surprising depth and development (surprising since he's only 12 years-old) and there is plenty of tension ans suspense inherent in his dilemma. Add to that a taut, unpredictable storyline that keeps viewers guessing and on the edge of their seats and the end result is a compelling experience from start to finish.

    Another aspect of this film that sets it apart from most other genre efforts is the musical score. This is not something I usually discuss in most of my other reviews but it deserves mention in this instance. Absent is the aggressive, rap-heavy soundtrack that typically permeates most films of this sort. In it's place is an understated composition provided by no other than Stewart Copeland (that's right, the drummer of The Police). I remember seeing this for the first time and think I'd rented the wrong film when I witnessed the opening scene, which features Copeland's score playing over images of a deserted intersection that looks like something out of an old Western. Eventually, we're shown a brief montage of how that intersection develops into part of what would become modern-day New York (circa 1994, that is). That was when I knew that I'd be in for a unique but fascinating ride.

    And it doesn't stop there. This film continues to defy conventions as it goes along. After all, how many hood films have the game of chess as such an integral element of the plot? That game gets plenty of exposure here both literally (the title character often meets with his father, played by Samuel L. Jackson, in the park for matches) and figuratively (the younger man must apply the lessons learned from his father to a much riskier and potentially deadly real-life game) and this adds a layer of complexity to an already involved plot-line. By effectively combining so many diverse elements Boaz Yakin (a longtime screenwriter who was making his directorial debut here), has crafted a film that is simultaneously like and unlike other films about the inner-city.

    In the tradition of the best urban dramas, Fresh doesn't glamorize life in the hood. After all, this is the sort of place where a 12-year-old has to push drugs in order to survive and where children in the same age range can be brutally murdered in broad daylight at a local basketball court. This is an often harsh existence and Fresh doesn't shrink from depicting it as such but neither does it revel in the bloodshed. Most of the violence is limited to only a few scenes with some of the more potentially graphic moments (such as the beating of two characters to death with a metal chain) taking place just out of view of the camera. There is no doubt that Fresh often dishes out some tough, uncompromising material, but none of it is gratuitous and that makes it all the more realistic and disturbing.

    Thankfully, Yakin's excellent vision extended to his casting choices. As the somewhat taciturn title character, Sean Nelson, making his screen debut here, does a superlative job of depicting the toughness and keen intelligence concealed beneath the seemingly unassuming exterior. This performance is every bit as assured as that of another child thespian, Natalie Portman, who made her debut in another 1994 film, The Professional. It's a shame that Nelson, unlike Portman, hasn't done much since then (although he did get some work in the immediate wake of this film) because based on his performance here, he definitely has what it takes. Luckily, the young actor has a strong cast supporting him. As Fresh's alcoholic, chess-playing father, Samuel L. Jackson, who could also be seen that same year stealing scenes in his star-making turn in Pulp Fiction, proves that he can be just as riveting when circumstances call for a lower-key. Too often these days, the actor is better known for his more flamboyant performances so much so that it's easy to forget that he's capable of much more. Roles like this give the veteran performer a chance to display some of his less-publicized range as an actor. Other notables in the cast include Giancarlo Esposito (who, like Jackson, was once a Spike Lee regular) as Fresh's mentor and the local smack dealer, Esteban and N'Bushe Wright as Fresh's addicted older sister, Nichole.

    In its own way Fresh is just as strong of an indictment of modern-day inner-city life as the aforementioned Boyz N The Hood and Menace II Society but it never resorts to the sort of sermonizing that the earlier films occasionally courted. Rather, it uses subtlety to get its points across and nowhere is that more apparent than in the final scene, where one character must finally bear the emotional weight of his decisions. Ultimately, this is just one of many moments that set this film apart and make it just as special and synonymous with its title now as it was when it first crossed our collective vision.
  • onyxchris
    November 5, 2009
    onyxchris
    "Dont touch my chess set!' Yo real real deep movie. Sad when he had to shoot the dog,......But anyway, youngster selling drugs, theres some in every hood, and each one of them has a a story of their own. I like how this movie brings it to light, if you aint seen it watch, its o... read moren some real heavy life situations.
  • bekaboodabugaboo
    December 17, 2007
    bekaboodabugaboo
    very hood, very intelectual, the boy was a young genius and samuel l. portrayed a good father figure

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Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy
July 4, 2006
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Though its morality may be controversial, the film, an impressive debut from Boaz Yakin, deserves credit for introducing a new type of protagonist, a ghetto teenager willing to do everything and anyth... Full Review

Gabe Leibowitz
January 3, 2005
Gabe Leibowitz, Film and Felt

Unlike John Singleton's by-the-numbers Boyz n the Hood, Boaz Yakin's Fresh doesn't rely on skeletal portrayals of life in the ghetto, or moralistic messages. Full Review

Nick Davis
January 10, 2003
Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks

Without a fully-formed perspective on its protagonist, Fresh remains a picture that is more powerful and affecting in concept than in actual execution. Full Review

Scott Weinberg
July 25, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

We've seen this story before, but it's told surprisingly well here.

February 23, 2012
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Owen Gleiberman
September 7, 2011
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

January 1, 2011
Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

G. Allen Johnson
October 1, 2010
G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

April 12, 2002
Globe and Mail

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Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Fresh Trivia

  • What movie did this line come from? "Now I've asked you 40 different ways and it's time you come up with a fresh answer.I'm asking you to marry me."  Answer »
  • He was a fish, a agent, boxer and a fresh prince. who is it?  Answer »
  • This actor has been in movies with robots, he's been a fish, a great american boxer, and a bad boy all while being the 'Fresh Prince"  Answer »
  • In 13 going on 30 when Jenna freaks out after finding out she and Matt are no longer friends, she wants, fresh air, a glass of water and what?  Answer »
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