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      Always Outnumbered

      R 1998 1 hr. 48 min. Drama List
      Reviews 81% 500+ Ratings Audience Score Socrates Fortlow (Laurence Fishburne) has just finished a stint in prison and settles into a new life in Los Angeles. Determined to live on the straight and narrow, Socrates looks for work but finds himself competing with younger, stronger men for menial jobs. He befriends his elderly neighbor, Right Burke (Bill Cobbs), and tries to help Darryl (Daniel Williams), a young boy in danger of ending up in prison. Socrates also starts a relationship with Iula (Natalie Cole) that quickly turns serious. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member Pretty standard stuff mostly, with a few highlights. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Audience Member Socrates Fortlow is a hero not by super power but by being the change He wishes to see in the World. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member If you like slow movies, then this one is for you Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review dave j Wednesday, November 28, 2012 (1998) Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned DRAMA From HBO and based on the book of the same name by Walter Mosley who also provided the screenplay. A narration by old timer about an ex-convict, Socrates Fortlow (Lawrence Fishurne) returning to his old neighborhood after paying his dues by rehibilitating his life, and in the process of seeking for some employment, his well intentioned precense also affects others around the neighborhood. A very good film without any 'cheezy sentimentality' full of great acting. Part of the attraction I often watch African American actor Sidney Poitier films in repeated viewings is that although they consist to have some well written thinking dialogue, the other reason is that they're great films without the "n" word spoken and the dialogue can just still be as effectively moving. And you know, when a person were to watch enough films with African Americans in them such as "Do The Right Thing", "New Jersey Drive" and the "Friday" films starring Ice Cube, hearing the "n" word cited all the time can get tiresome and annoying even though it's supposed to be realistic and a reflection of real life but at the same time it can also be a distraction to the message of the film itself. When I as a viewer hear African American actors go "N this" and "N that" because to me that's not proper English even though in real life some talk like this all the time, upon watching this film "Always Outnumbered..." made me realize how much I missed those type of films when African Americans can speak dialogue without having to resort to the "N" word spoken so much, the dialogue can still be just as powerful despite how impoverished this African American community is says to me that they too can also carry on a civilized conversation. Yes, what I'm saying is this film is a remeniscent of Sidney Poitier films but because it was made for HBO some of the scenes could've been more effective like a feeling of an actual film if someone were to pay money to watch than a made for tv had they taken more time with it's approach. The character Lawrence Fishburne playing the character Socrates is a marvel to watch and in my opinion can just be as effective as any Denzil Washington performance, Fishburne can also be an artist at his craft and this film proves it. Some of the issues showcased in this film are not used for cheap solutions for it doesn't ask for any because the characters themselves can handle it themselves. 3 out of 4 Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Mr.Fortlow needs his rest. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member wasnt terrible, just didnt really ring true for me. lots of race over tones that i couldnt identify with and bill dukes wasnt in it nearly enough. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

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      Matthew Gilbert Boston Globe HBO came through with ''Always Outnumbered,'' which featured a coolly graceful performance by Laurence Fishburne as a heroic ex-convict. Sep 12, 2018 Full Review John Leonard New York Magazine/Vulture Fishburne stands up well under the weight of all this symbolism. He is abetted in his dialogue with corrupted Platonic ideals by a crafty Cobbs, an exasperated Cole, a super-respectable Tyson, and Bill Nunn and Laurie Metcalf. Feb 1, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Socrates Fortlow (Laurence Fishburne) has just finished a stint in prison and settles into a new life in Los Angeles. Determined to live on the straight and narrow, Socrates looks for work but finds himself competing with younger, stronger men for menial jobs. He befriends his elderly neighbor, Right Burke (Bill Cobbs), and tries to help Darryl (Daniel Williams), a young boy in danger of ending up in prison. Socrates also starts a relationship with Iula (Natalie Cole) that quickly turns serious.
      Director
      Michael Apted
      Executive Producer
      Laurence Fishburne, Walter Mosley
      Rating
      R, TV-MA (V|L)
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (DVD)
      Jan 16, 2007