Watch New Jersey Drive

In the summer of 1995, writer and director Nick Gomez brings us a gritty, realistic portrayal of life in urban New Jersey with the movie New Jersey Drive. Set in the late 80s and early 90s, the film follows the lives of a group of teenagers living in a rough neighborhood in Newark, NJ. Shar-Ron Corley and Gabriel Casseus star as cousins Jason and Midget, two young men out to make a name for themselves in the streets. Saul Stein co-stars as Officer Shapiro, a cop who has seen it all and is tired of the never-ending cycle of violence and crime.

The film opens with Jason and Midget stealing a car, starting a chain of events that will lead them down a path of destruction. They are part of a larger group of friends who spend their days and nights joyriding, stealing cars, and causing mayhem on the streets. But as they continue to push the boundaries, they soon find themselves at odds with rival gangs and the police.

The movie presents the harsh realities of life in the inner city, depicting the rampant poverty, drugs, and violence that plague the community. Gomez's approach is unflinching and honest, refusing to sugarcoat or romanticize the characters' actions. Instead, the film aims to show the desperation and hopelessness that drive these young men to turn to a life of crime.

Amid the chaos, there are moments of levity and camaraderie that give the characters depth and humanity. Jason and Midget have a close relationship, and there are scenes of them joking around and looking out for each other. Their friends, including character actors such as Donald Faison and Andre Moore, have distinct personalities that bring life to the ensemble cast.

One of the standout performances comes from Saul Stein as Officer Shapiro. He represents the authority figure who has seen the worst of humanity and is disillusioned by it. He is frustrated by the system and the bureaucracy that ties his hands, but he still has a sense of duty and empathy for the people he serves.

The performances from Corley and Casseus are also noteworthy, as they navigate the complicated relationships and conflicting ideologies of their characters. Jason is the calm, level-headed of the duo, while Midget is more impulsive and prone to violence. The contrast between the two is a recurring theme throughout the movie.

The movie's soundtrack is also worth mentioning, featuring songs from iconic hip-hop artists such as Wu-Tang Clan, Tupac, and Nas. The music adds to the film's gritty, urban atmosphere, further immersing the audience in the world of the characters.

Overall, New Jersey Drive is a powerful and unapologetic look at life in urban America. It does not try to make excuses for the characters' actions, but instead, it seeks to understand and explore the circumstances that led them down this path. The film may be difficult to watch at times, but it is an essential piece of cinema that exposes the harsh reality of the inner city.

New Jersey Drive is a 1995 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.