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Street Fight

Play trailer Poster for Street Fight Released Apr 23, 2005 1h 26m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 22 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Documentarian Marshall Curry chronicles the 2002 mayoral race in Newark, New Jersey. The election involves Sharpe James, who has held the seat for 16 years, and his challenger, attorney Cory Booker. Curry investigates the legality and ethics of the veteran mayor's tactics, and captures James' staff engaging in illicit behavior and threatening their competition with violence. James' vicious smear campaign is also documented. Spike Lee and Cornel West appear in the film on Booker's behalf.

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Critics Consensus

Street Fight takes an immersive ground-level look at a pivotal political race that proves illuminating, entertaining, and inspiring in equal measure.

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Critics Reviews

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Steven Rea Philadelphia Inquirer [Marshall] Curry's picture is must-see fare for any and every observer of the curious world of American politics. Rated: 3.5/4 Mar 3, 2006 Full Review Sam Allis Boston Globe The documentary is simple and strong and small. Its grit lifts it above its mechanical shortcomings. Rated: 3/4 Mar 3, 2006 Full Review Peter Rainer Christian Science Monitor If you didn't already realize that politics can be a dirty business, then Marshall Curry's Oscar-nominated documentary will set you straight. Rated: A- Mar 2, 2006 Full Review Cory Woodroof 615 Film A major entry in the political documentary space. Jul 6, 2022 Full Review Peter Keough Boston Phoenix Funny, infuriating, and suspenseful, Street Fight is both a critique of the process and a vindication. Apr 23, 2009 Full Review Devin Faraci CHUD Street Fight isn't going to restore your faith in our desperately broken electoral system, but Cory Booker -- and the last moments of the movie -- may help you harbor that little flame of hope. Rated: 9.2/10 Feb 27, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Direct access into the reality of campaigning politics in a heated election stands as a feature-length promo for Cory Booker's second round to become mayor of Newark, New Jersey, showing off his charismatic relation to the people with a strong play against fighting off the opponents' horribly ignorant lack of sportsmanship. Marshall Curry's brilliantly-structured, engrossing documentary exposure is worth electing as a timelessly forgotten, probably representational example on what politics should really be in acting their own age at the same time insightful towards the unfairly corrupted shadows. (A-) (Full review TBD) Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Audience Member Cory Booker is a racist crybaby. Shallow, limited intellect and a race baiter. I'd rather watch paint dry than this propaganda piece Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member A real life version of the movie "The Campaign" and almost as funny... Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Excellent documentary on the 2002 mayoral race in Newark, New Jersey that showcases old school politics at its dirtiest from long-time incumbent Sharpe James. Has added significance in light of James' convictions on fraud in 2008. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Great eye opening documentary that followed Cory Booker's '02 campaign for mayor of Newark, NJ against long time mayor, Sharp James. Sharp James was RUTHLESS. This documentary was named one of the "50 docs to see before you die" and also led to the award winning reality series "Brick City", which I loved. Those interested in Black politics should definitely check it out. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member Rough and tumble Politics Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Street Fight

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Movie Info

Synopsis Documentarian Marshall Curry chronicles the 2002 mayoral race in Newark, New Jersey. The election involves Sharpe James, who has held the seat for 16 years, and his challenger, attorney Cory Booker. Curry investigates the legality and ethics of the veteran mayor's tactics, and captures James' staff engaging in illicit behavior and threatening their competition with violence. James' vicious smear campaign is also documented. Spike Lee and Cornel West appear in the film on Booker's behalf.
Director
Marshall Curry
Producer
Marshall Curry
Screenwriter
Marshall Curry
Production Co
Marshall Curry Productions
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 23, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 5, 2016
Runtime
1h 26m
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