Watch Set It Off

Set It Off is a 1996 crime thriller film that chronicles the tale of four African American women who are fed up with their financial struggles, discrimination, and low-paying jobs. Starring Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise, the film portrays the harsh reality of life for poor black women in inner-city Los Angeles.

The protagonist of the movie is Frankie Sutton (Jada Pinkett Smith), a tough and streetwise young woman who works as a bank teller. After she is fired from her job due to incorrect accusations, she decides to take revenge on her employer by robbing the bank with her three friends. They are Lida "Stony" Newsome (Cleopatra "Queen Latifah" Owens), Cleopatra "Cleo" Sims (Queen Latifah), and Tisean "T.T." Williams (Kimberly Elise). The four women meticulously plan the bank heist, which turns out to be a success.

As the movie progresses, we see the personal struggles of each of the four characters as they attempt to cope with the repercussions of their actions. The film does a good job of showing their motivations for choosing a life of crime. Stony, for example, is a talented medical student who has been denied financial aid and has turned to crime as a way of paying for her tuition. Cleo, on the other hand, is a tough-talking lesbian who has been ostracized by society.

The performances by the titular four are what make Set It Off such a standout movie. Jada Pinkett Smith imbues Frankie with a mix of vulnerability and determination, while Queen Latifah brings a tough edge to both of her roles as Stony and Cleo. Vivica A. Fox is also compelling in her smaller role as the streetwise lesbian bank-robber.

Set It Off is not just a movie about bank robbers; it also touches upon a variety of social issues, including class struggle, racism, and gender inequality. Through the characters' stories, we see the ways in which poverty and discrimination can push even the most hardworking individuals into a life of crime. The female-centric focus of the film is also unique, given that it was released in a time when Hollywood was still largely dominated by male-driven action movies.

Overall, Set It Off is a strong crime-thriller movie that explores compelling themes and features standout performances from its lead actresses. It manages to keep the audience engaged through its palpable film noir style, heart-stopping action and suspense, and a brilliant script that captures the essence of each character's motive for committing the crime. Set It Off is a movie that deserves more attention and recognition for its unique and empowering portrayal of black women.

In conclusion, Set It Off is a must-watch movie for those who love crime movies and are looking for a fresh perspective exploring crime and race, with a strong cast of black women.

Set It Off is a 1996 crime movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 3 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 62.