Watch Strapped

Strapped is a gritty urban drama film that was released in 1993. Directed by Forest Whitaker, the movie follows the life of a young man named Diquan Mitchell played by William James Stiggers Jr., who lives in the violent and dangerous world of the inner city. Diquan is strapped, meaning he carries a gun with him at all times for protection. The film depicts a day in the life of Diquan while highlighting the issues of poverty, drugs, and violence that plague urban communities.

The movie begins with a bang as we see Diquan and his friends carrying out a violent armed robbery that goes terribly wrong. Diquan gets away with the cash, but one of his friends is killed in the process. Diquan is already struggling to keep his head above water with bills piling up and his pregnant girlfriend shelling out ultimatums. Now, with his friend's blood on his hands, he is even more determined to do whatever it takes to get out of the ghetto and make a better life for himself.

Throughout the film, we see Diquan dealing with various characters from his neighborhood, including drug dealers, prostitutes, and other criminals. He also has to deal with the stresses of being a father-to-be and the general pressures of living in a violent environment. The film does an excellent job of depicting the everyday struggles that people living in poverty have to face.

One of the standout characters in the movie is Dee, played by Bokeem Woodbine. Dee is a drug dealer who is friends with Diquan. He is a complex character who is not just a one-dimensional villain. Despite being a criminal, Dee has a moral code and is fiercely loyal to his friends. His relationship with Diquan is one of the film's highlights, as it shows the bond that can form between two people who are living in difficult circumstances.

Another key character in Strapped is Midget, played by Chi Ali. Midget is a young boy who looks up to Diquan and wants to follow in his footsteps. The film does an excellent job of showcasing the cycle of poverty and crime that exists in urban communities. Diquan wants to get out of the ghetto and make a better life for himself, but Midget sees him as a role model and is already being groomed to become a criminal himself.

The movie's themes of poverty and crime are nothing new, but Strapped does an excellent job of depicting these issues in a raw and uncompromising manner. The film is graphic and violent, but it never feels gratuitous. The violence is a natural part of the story and is used to illustrate the harsh realities of life in the inner city. The film also has a strong sense of authenticity, which is undoubtedly due to Forest Whitaker's direction and the performances of the actors involved.

In terms of visuals, the film has a gritty, low-budget feel that adds to its authenticity. The camera work and lighting are excellent, and the film's soundtrack perfectly captures the atmosphere of the ghetto. Overall, Strapped is a powerful and thought-provoking film that is not easy to watch but is essential for anyone interested in exploring the realities of urban poverty and crime. The movie offers no easy answers or solutions, but it does an excellent job of highlighting the issues that need to be addressed.