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Licks is a 2013 American film that revolves around a young man named D who is recently released from juvenile detention. D is played by Stanley Doe Hunt, who delivers a captivating performance as a troubled youth trying to find his footing in the world. The film, directed by Jonathan Singer-Vine, takes place in Oakland, California, and explores the struggles and challenges of urban life.

The film starts with D being released from juvenile detention to find that his mother has abandoned him and that his brother is involved in the drug trade. Stranded and alone, D turns to his childhood friends, Rell and Peanut, for help. Together, the three of them try to earn money and build a life for themselves on the streets of Oakland. At the same time, D tries to rebuild his relationship with his estranged girlfriend, Shonte, who has moved on with her life.

Interspersed with scenes of D's daily struggles on the streets are flashbacks to his past, which reveal the events that led to his incarceration. These flashbacks show D as a troubled youth, constantly getting into fights and making poor decisions that lead him down a path of destruction.

As the film progresses, D and his friends become increasingly involved in the drug trade, and they begin to realize the harsh reality of their situation. The world of drug dealing is dangerous, and they quickly find themselves in over their heads. When one of their deals goes wrong, D and his friends must navigate the dangerous underbelly of Oakland to avoid being caught by the police or killed by rival gang members.

Throughout the film, the gritty realism of life on the streets is captured well, through both the cinematography and the characters' dialogue. The streets of Oakland come alive through the camera lens, and the film effectively portrays the harsh living conditions and challenges that come with growing up in an urban environment.

The film is also notable for its intriguing character study of D. Hunt delivers a nuanced performance that captures the complexities of his character. Despite his troubled past and involvement in the drug trade, D is a sympathetic character, and the audience can't help but root for him to overcome the challenges he faces.

The supporting cast also delivers strong performances, particularly Koran Streets as D's friend Rell and Les Aderibigbe as Peanut. Their camaraderie and loyalty to each other are well portrayed, and their struggles are just as compelling as D's.

Overall, Licks is a well-made film that explores the harsh realities of life on the streets. Singer-Vine manages to capture the essence of Oakland and the complexities of his characters with great skill, and the film is a must-watch for anyone interested in urban dramas.

Licks is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.