Watch South Central
- R
- 1992
- 1 hr 40 min
-
6.8 (6,837)
South Central is a 1992 American crime drama film directed by Stephen Milburn Anderson, starring Glenn Plummer, Byron Minns, and Lexie Bigham. Set in South Central Los Angeles, the film revolves around a man named Bobby Johnson, who has been in prison for eleven years and is released on parole. The story follows his struggle to reintegrate and become a good father to his young son Jimmie, who is at risk of following in his father's criminal footsteps.
The film starts with Bobby (Glenn Plummer), who is serving an 11-year sentence in prison for gang-related crimes. After serving his time, he is released and returns to his old neighborhood of South Central Los Angeles. Bobby is now a changed man and regrets his past actions. He tries to leave his gang past behind and lead a law-abiding life. Bobby is determined to fix the broken relationship with his ex-girlfriend Carole (LaRita Shelby) and become a good role model to his son, Jimmie (Christian Coleman).
However, Bobby's past catches up with him, and he has to face a tough challenge in rebuilding his life. At first, he struggles to find work as he is an ex-convict, and most employers reject his job application. However, he manages to land a job as a mechanic, through the help of an old friend Melvin (Byron Minns), who is now running a chop shop. Bobby's newfound job provides him with a new sense of purpose and direction in life. He starts to bond with Melvin, who has a similar gang background, but unlike Bobby, he has not left the life of a criminal.
Meanwhile, Jimmie, Bobby's son, is growing up in a similar environment full of gang violence and criminal activities. Bobby is determined to keep Jimmie away from the gang lifestyle, which he himself fell into at a young age. However, Jimmie is constantly surrounded by gangs, and his friend Ray-Ray (Lexie Bigham), who is part of a Crips gang, becomes the primary influence in his life. Bobby's efforts to keep Jimmie away from trouble become a constant battle as his son's attraction to the gang life grows stronger.
As Jimmie becomes more involved with the gang activity, Bobby tries his best to protect him from the wrath of the gangsters. However, Bobby's attempts prove to be futile as Jimmie is caught in the crossfire, leading to a life-threatening situation. This situation forces Bobby to confront his old gang and put his life on the line to save Jimmie's.
The film is a gripping portrayal of life in South Central Los Angeles and how it affects the characters' lives. It features powerful performances from the lead actors, especially Glenn Plummer as Bobby Johnson. Plummer exudes a raw energy and creates a character that is both sympathetic and believable. Christian Coleman, who plays Jimmie, delivers an impressive performance, bringing a sense of innocence and vulnerability to the character.
In conclusion, South Central is a compelling film that accurately portrays the consequences of gang violence and crime in urban neighborhoods. The film paints a vivid picture of how difficult it can be to break the cycle of poverty, crime, and violence that perpetuates neighborhoods like South Central Los Angeles. The film is also a testament to the power of redemption and a reminder that no matter how grim the situation may seem, there is always hope for change.
South Central is a 1992 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 64.