But, whereas the other is meant to be funny, I fear that 'Rage' is 5 stars short of being a good drama. 3 of 18 people found this review helpful. A RAGE IN HARLEM comes from the Chester Himes novel For Love of Imabelle, the first of his nine-novel “Harlem Detective” series about two Black NYPD detectives named Grave Digger Jones and Coffin Ed Johnson. It’s also remarkable that the movies that have been based upon Himes’ work have all come out good. A Rage in Harlem (1991) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. It is all over the place. A gangster's girlfriend flees to Harlem with a trunkload of gold after a shootout, unaware that the rest of the gang are on her trail. A beautiful black gangster's moll flees to Harlem with a trunkload of gold after a shootout, unaware that the rest of the gang, and a few other unsavoury characters, are on her trail. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. UNUSUAL CHARACTERS MAKE THIS A UNIQUE, ENTERTAINING EXPERIENCE, Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2011. Whether you watch weekly or want to join in for the big finish, get ready for these big Spring TV and streaming finales. Producer Stephen Woolley intended it to be a comedy film, and several reviewers have described it as such, but this categorization has been disputed by director Bill Duke. Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2019. As Jackson’s brother Goldy noted later: It didn’t surprise Goldy that Jackson had been trimmed on The Blow. It featured an innocent God fearing man Forest Whitaker who is taken in by a grifter Robin Givens who is on the run with a chest full of gold. With an Introduction by Luc Sante I n "A Rage in Harlem," a certain comic vitality makes itself known right away. A Rage in Harlem is a really messy film. They are married men that pass H.I.V. And they are every bit as strange and memorable as the Fat Man or Joel Cairo or Vivien Rutledge. Search for "A Rage in Harlem" on Amazon.com, Title: With an Introduction by Luc Sante After her gangster boyfriend, Slim (Badja Djola), has a shootout with the police, Imabelle (Robin Givens) flees Natchez, Miss., with his stolen gold. It is ostenibly a dark comedy, though it … RAGE IN HARLEM is about the funniest 'caper' movie I've seen. Loved this movie. Anonymous. A Fast Paced Woman-zing Club Promoter next in line to take over gets paid back in full when he scorns a beautiful woman with psychotic tendencies who will punish him for breaking her heart. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Watching this movie, I was reminded of Harlem Nights constantly. A Rage in Harlem influenced later writers like Walter Mosley. It has some European code that won't allow me to play it. Crime. I wanted him to see the film I worked on and it won't play. Has its light hearted moments but this does not detract from the violence and double dealing of the main characters. About A Rage in Harlem A Rage in Harlem is a ripping introduction to Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones, patrolling New York City’s roughest streets in Chester Himes’s groundbreaking Harlem Detectives series. 1 hr 48 min. R. Comedy. Great Buy. I wanted to show my husband this film because some of it was shot in Cincinnati, Ohio, and I was a makeup artist on this film. The first of Chester Himes's novels featuring the hardboiled Harlem detectives Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones, A Rage in Harlem has swagger, brutal humour, lurid violence, a hearse loaded with gold and a conman dressed as a Sister of Mercy. The movie uses many themes and characters popular in Himes’ books about New York. tags: religion, sex. And all the better since I listened to the audio version read by all around icon Samuel L. Jackson. But big, goofy, virginal Jackson looks at her adoringly, and her heart flutters. Many of the men hide behind the vow of marriage, but still desire men. Even though my only exposure to Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler is via Humphrey Bogart, I could immediately see the parallels between those stories and this one, albeit “A Rage in Harlem” features an all-black cast of characters. I recall seeing it in the theater and I do not think that I would pay the current prices to see it in the theater at this point. (1991). We're in Natchez, Miss., 1956. Great picture. ― Chester Himes, A Rage in Harlem. And with the 'can't-catch-my-breath' action (at times senseless), the movie-goer may just hyper-ventilate themselves to sleep. Go figure. Some of the acting is dubious and the plot gets a bit clumsy at times, however an enjoyable movie all the same.. Lifelong friends meet weekly to celebrate the past and present. Everyone, that is, except Jackson, a quiet naive man. She ends up New York with Slim's gang in pursuit. A Rage in Harlem Comedy After her gangster boyfriend, Slim (Badja Djola), has a shootout with the police, Imabelle (Robin Givens) flees Natchez, Miss., with his stolen gold. Directed by (1) Writing credits (3) Cast (57) Produced by (10) Music by (2) Cinematography by (1) Film Editing by (1) Casting By (1) Production Design by (1) Art Direction by (1) Set Decoration by (1) Costume Design by (1) Makeup Department (5) View production, box office, & company info. Black gangsters in 1930 Harlem fights Dutch Schultz who is trying to horn in on their numbers racket. The relationship between Jackson and Imabelle is at the heart of "A Rage in Harlem," which is based on a novel by Chester Himes (1909-1984), who specialized in atmospheric crime novels. I have watched it several times and it still remains entertaining. For more great books performed by Hollywood’s finest, click here. Bill Duke. This FAQ is empty. It’s a fun combination. He wants to save up and open a nightclub. A beautiful black gangster's moll flees to Harlem with a trunkload of gold after a shootout, unaware that the rest of the gang, and a few other unsavoury characters, are on her trail. DIRECTOR. When he crosses paths with this sexy con artist, he unexpectedly enters a world of greed and decadence where nothing is as it seems. Only the S-words seem to apply when it comes to Robin Givens's film debut in "A Rage in Harlem." A beautiful black gangster's moll flees to Harlem with a trunkload of gold after a shootout, unaware that the rest of the gang, and a few other unsavoury characters, are on her trail. Very easy watching - would made a good stage production - very funny. (there's humor; but it's still an engrossing mystery, with sharp depictions of LA post-World War II). Use the HTML below. Action. For more great books performed by Hollywood’s finest, click here. STARRING. Himes introduces the reader to a bygone Harlem. A Rage in Harlem is a 1991 American crime film directed by Bill Duke and loosely based on Chester Himes' novel A Rage in Harlem.The film stars Forest Whitaker, Danny Glover, Badja Djola, Robin Givens and Gregory Hines.Producer Stephen Woolley intended it to be a comedy film, and several reviewers have described it as such, but this categorization has been disputed by director Bill Duke. A Rage in Harlem is a 1991 American crime film directed by Bill Duke and loosely based on Chester Himes' novel A Rage in Harlem. (I have not yet seen the 1991 film version, so I’m not sure if it kept Himes’ bitterly sardonic sense of humor.) A Rage in Harlem. Both are original, high-energy and wonderful productions. A Rage in Harlem is a ripping introduction to Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones, patrolling New York City’s roughest streets in Chester Himes’s groundbreaking Harlem Detectives series. A Rage in Harlem is a novel that should NOT be read just for plot. tags: femme-fatale, hard-boiled, temptation. During the 1930s, a New York City illegal gambling house owner and his associates must deal with strong competition, gangsters, and corrupt cops in order to stay in business. A pudgy momma's boy becomes the object of her affections and the unlikely hero of the tale. This is very disappointing. Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2017, Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2017, Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2018. A funny take on Harlem back in the day. Sultry. A Rage in Harlem is a ripping introduction to Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones, patrolling New York City’s roughest streets in Chester Himes’s groundbreaking Harlem Detectives series. Danny Glover was convincing as the greedy, stingy numbers guy and Gregory Hines was hilarious as the slick, hustler. “A Rage in Harlem” opens with Jackson handing over to several con men $1,500 in ten-dollar dominations to have it “raised” to $15,000 in hundred-dollar bills. Written by c1957. some have gone on to a better place while some where at the beginning of their eventual rise to fame. A Rage in Harlem offers a potent combination: the hardest-boiled noir mixed with the darkest of comedy, to the point where it’d make an ideal Coen Brothers movie. Just what I expected! “A Rage in Harlem” opens with Jackson handing over to several con men $1,500 in ten-dollar dominations to have it “raised” to $15,000 in hundred-dollar bills. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. The editors allowed racial slurs but transfigured the ubiquitous slur "muyerfuyer" into "mother-raper". Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 9, 2015, It was just a joy to see so many distinguished African American actors working together and looking like they were having fun. Here are the movies we're most excited for in 2021. RAGE IN HARLEM is about the funniest 'caper' movie I've seen. Another bad influence is hitting Harlem and Gravedigger and Coffin Ed are the two cops who will stop it. A Rage in Harlem (161) IMDb 5.9 1 h 48 min 1991 R When a beautiful seductress from Mississippi arrives in Harlem with a fortune in gold... everyone wants a piece of it. Every character is portrayed in depth and is delightful in their avarice, craftiness, violence, appetites, … Add the first question. Select from premium A Rage In Harlem of the highest quality. A Rage in Harlem is part of Audible’s A-List Collection, featuring the world’s most celebrated actors narrating distinguished works of literature that each star had a hand in selecting. A Rage In Harlem by Chester Himes My rating: 4 of 5 stars ”Looking eastward from the towers of Riverside Church, perched among the university buildings on the high banks of the Hudson River, in a valley far below, waves of gray rooftops distort the perspective like the surface of a sea. The film stars Forest Whitaker, Danny Glover, Badja Djola, Robin Givens and Gregory Hines. The tone, the plot, the script all change from scene to scene. A Rage in Harlem The story of the rise and fall of an African American vocal group. This video won't play on any machine in the house. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. (I have not yet seen the 1991 film version, so I’m not sure if it kept Himes’ bitterly sardonic sense of humor.) A cocky, up-and-coming attorney, begrudgingly takes on a case to sue the Archdiocese of New Orleans for sex discrimination; after a woman, who's desperate to become a priest, solicits his help. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 24, 2015, Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. He meets a cute girl who helps him find an honest job driving. 5 likes. Sequel to Cotton comes to Harlem. A Rage in Harlem offers a potent combination: the hardest-boiled noir mixed with the darkest of comedy, to the point where it’d make an ideal Coen Brothers movie. For fans of Eddie Murphy's Harlem Nights (released in 1989), A Rage in Harlem felt like a copycat. 6 likes. About A Rage in Harlem A Rage in Harlem is a ripping introduction to Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones, patrolling New York City’s roughest streets in Chester … I can only think of a few war movies that had more killings than this did. The first of Chester Himes's novels featuring the hardboiled Harlem detectives Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones, A Rage in Harlem has swagger, brutal humour, lurid violence, a hearse loaded with gold and a conman dressed as a Sister of Mercy. . Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. After her gangster boyfriend, Slim (Badja Djola), has a shootout with the police, Imabelle (Robin Givens) flees Natchez, Miss., with his stolen gold. Savvy.Sulky. The online version I purchased was blurry throughout. In Devil in a Blue Dress, Denzel Washington and Don Cheadle are absolutely brilliant! However, it was another depiction of Black life and the all-star cast was a … The question is whether she is a temptress or actually cares about Whitaker. Many smart men, even other con-men, had been stung by The Blow. A Rage in Harlem (1991) Full Cast & Crew. Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2018. What a wild ride this one was. Every character is portrayed in depth and is delightful in their avarice, craftiness, violence, appetites, humanity and a lot more to make a cast of unforgettable quirky people. This film is certainly not great, but it is entertaining. A pudgy momma's boy becomes the object of her affections and the unlikely hero of the tale. A. Sexy. That includes common, working class African Americans, the constant conflict between cops and criminals, jokes and his two favorite cop characters Grave Digger (George Wallace) and Coffin Ed (Stack Pierce). Bloody yes, but funny and at times poignant too. Everyone, that is, except Jackson, a quiet naive man. Originally published as: For love of Imabelle. If there is a A Rage in Harlem SparkNotes, Shmoop guide, or Cliff Notes, you can find a link to each study guide below. great story and great fun, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 28, 2014. Daryl wants to go straight after years in prison. When a beautiful seductress from Mississippi arrives in Harlem with a fortune in gold . Forrest Whitaker took me away with his innocence and piety but then changed with the quickness once he got his first piece of woman. A RAGE IN HARLEM comes from the Chester Himes novel For Love of Imabelle, the first of his nine-novel “Harlem Detective” series about two Black NYPD detectives named Grave Digger Jones and Coffin Ed Johnson. Chester Himes. This talk will consider the moment when June Jordan and Buckminster Fuller attempted to reimagine Harlem in the wake of the 1964 riots, considered against a larger context of experiments in social housing, environmental planning, urban rebellion, and Afro-futurism. Based on Terry McMillan's novel, this film follows four very different African-American women and their relationships with the male gender. to their male or female partners. Besides the descriptions of places and people, "Rage in Harlem" includes several scenes of fights and rumbles, including a long passage set in a deserted, forbidding Harlem street formerly in a building formerly used by the Father Divine movement. Among the summaries and analysis available for A Rage in Harlem , there are 1 Short Summary and 2 Book Reviews. In the simplest, boiled down summary I can give, A Rage in Harlem is about Jackson and his woman Imabelle and what happens when they get caught up with a group of con men. The gorgeous girlfriend of a Mississippi gangster flees to Harlem with a fortune in gold and seduces a guileless undertaker, as mobsters give chase. A uniformed cop is recruited by a drug enforcement agent to infiltrate a drug smuggling ring looking to expand its operation. In Harlem, she latches on to an innocent undertaker named Jackson (Forest Whitaker), who … Love it! Charleston Blue was a prohibition era black ... See full summary ». Select the department you want to search in, Great adaptation of Chester Himes' book about crime and innocents in Harlem, Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2021. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 28, 2013. Even though not all make it through the carnage. Adopted from the novel by Chester Himes. But then gems and mayhem pop up. A pudgy momma's boy becomes the object of her affections and the unlikely hero of the tale. Many smart men, even other con-men, had been stung by The Blow. As Jackson’s brother Goldy noted later: It didn’t surprise Goldy that Jackson had been trimmed on The Blow. A Rage in Harlem is part of Audible’s A-List Collection, featuring the world’s most celebrated actors narrating distinguished works of literature that each star had a hand in selecting. . In "A Rage in Harlem," a certain comic vitality makes itself known right away.We're in Natchez, Miss., 1956. It has some thrilling parts and also some comedic parts to it but neither is enough to carry the film to the top. The reader will appreciate how publishing standards have changed. Like “When you get to mixing sex and religion, it will make anybody crazy.” ― Chester Himes, The Crazy Kill. A Rage in Harlem is a ripping introduction to Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones, patrolling New York City’s roughest streets in Chester Himes’s groundbreaking Harlem Detectives series. a very gritty look of crime central as applied to the black community back in the days. Good performances by all, especially Forrest Whittaker. In the spirit of the great crime writer Chester Himes books, it has the humour, but doesn't capture the darker violence. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 18, 2014. Was this review helpful to you? I hate to spoil anything for the fortunate viewer that has yet to see the movie, but to avoid a sour stomach, pass on this one. A Rage in Harlem is a ripping introduction to Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones, patrolling New York City’s roughest streets in Chester Himes’s groundbreaking Harlem Detectives series. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. Everyone played their roles well. Rated R for violence, sensuality and language, Guillermo Del Toro, Patty Jenkins, Jon M. Chu And More To Participate In Ava DuVernay’s Array Film Fellowship Tweet-a-Thon, Bill Duke To Helm ‘The Power of One: The Diane Latiker Story’ Feature, Movies and TV Celebrating Black Joy on Prime Video, Important Black Stories in Film, Streaming for Free, At the Movies: Backdraft/Truly Madly Deeply/Madonna: Truth or Dare/The Ballad of the Sad Cafe/A Rage in Harlem. A Rage In Harlem was an adaptation of a Chester Himes book directed by Bill Duke. 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