Never Die Alone (2004)

Director:

Ernest R. Dickerson

Writers (WGA):

Donald Goines (novel)
James Gibson (screenplay)

Release Date:

26 March 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

No king rules forever.

Plot:

A drug kingpin's return home touches off a turf war.

Plot Keywords:

Racist Comment | Ethnic Slur | Racial Overtones | Kingpin | Interracial Relationship

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

DMX	...	King David
Michael Ealy	...	Michael
Drew Sidora	...	Ella
Antwon Tanner	...	Blue
Robby Robinson	...	Man in Apartment
Luenell	...	Jasper (as Luenell Campbell)
David Arquette	...	Paul
Clifton Powell	...	Moon
Wealthy Linn Gener	...	Asian Girl
Jeff Sanders	...	Sentry Guard #1
Tommy 'Tiny' Lister	...	Rockie
Shakira Vanise Gamble	...	Co-Worker
Big Daddy Wayne	...	Red
Damion Poitier	...	Alvin
Eric Payne	...	Orderly

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence, drug use, sexuality and language.

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Germany:16 | Australia:MA | Portugal:M/16 | Iceland:16 | Argentina:18 | Finland:K-15 | France:-16 | Hungary:18 | Japan:R-15 | Singapore:M18 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Bloodline Films

Trivia:

Henry Gibson, who has a brief silent cameo near the end of the film as the funeral home director who steals King David's watch and ring, is the father of screenwriter James Gibson.

Quotes:

Blue: [after beating and robbing the man in apartment] don't worry man, I'll leave you enough to buy a pack of Newports...

Movie Connections:

References Scarface (1983)

Soundtrack:

Vivaldi: Nisi Dominus R608: 4. Cum Dederit (Andante)

A Dark Trip to the Underworld of the Drugs

When the unemployed white journalist Paul (David Arquette), who lives in a ghetto, accidentally witness the execution of the Afro-American King David (DMX), he takes the wounded man to the hospital trying to save his life. David dies, but officially leaves his car and his possessions to Paul. Paul finds some cassette tapes in the car, and while listening to them, he becomes aware that David was a hideous drug dealer.

When I decided to buy this DVD, I had no information about this movie. What a great surprise for me: it is a dark trip to the underworld of the drugs, indeed a contemporary film-noir, with sordid elements. The very dark cinematography fits perfectly to the story creating an atmosphere very adequate to the theme. The screenplay is very well written, but there are many important deleted scenes available on the DVD that explain many situations and connections of the story. DMX, David Arquette and Michael Ealy have excellent performances, but I found the character of Moon too much clichés of the powerful Afro-American drug lord. The scene of Mike leaving the tunnel in the end of the movie is another clichés that works perfectly, indicating the possible redemption of this character. "Never Die Alone" is a surprisingly good, violent and very real movie, which does not spare the characters addicted on drugs, showing the consequence of their vicious and their destiny. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Nunca Morra Sozinho" ("Never Die Alone")