Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story (2004 TV Movie) User Reviews

Controversy unfounded - Foxx displays amazing range

[kerm · 7/10 · 13 December 2004]

While packing up my apartment to move, Redemption just happened to come on the TV. I had heard about the controversy surrounding the movie, how it was supposed to "glamorize" gang behavior and justify it. Needless to say (or else I wouldn't be writing this), I got hooked on the film, and didn't get much packing done.

Tookie Williams co-founded the Crips in LA, but after his arrest and death sentence for the murders of several people, Williams embarked on a different path. While on death row, he has written a children's series of books aimed at preventing gang violence. For his efforts, he has been nominated multiple times for the Nobel Peace Prize, and is credited with a truce between the Crips and the Bloods in Newark, NJ.

The film, which chronicles Williams' life, shows how he grew up and got involved with gangs. However, the main thrust of the film is clearly that violence is not right, and that Williams, knowing what he knows now, is seeking to undo as much of his own actions as he can.

Williams does not discount the glamorous lifestyle that gangs allowed him, but recognizes now the pain and destruction that they cause. Williams himself understands the seductive nature of the gang, and is striving to help young people understand the consequences of their actions, before they do them.

Jamie Foxx, up to this point an underrated actor, displays amazing range in his portrayal of Williams. We are meant to see Williams, not as a great man, but rather as a flawed human being, one who has made mistakes and now is fighting to atone for them. If we cannot learn from our mistakes, we are no better than those we criticize. Foxx's performance, for which he has received many accolades, is incredible to watch.

If you are still reading this, you have enough of an open mind to appreciate this film. Please don't let the negative criticism dissuade you from watching this film. The film does not shirk from attempting to show the seductive side of gangs, but it also leaves no question about which side Williams is on. Williams' cause to eliminate gang warfare is a righteous one, and if he succeeds, we all win.

A poor opening should not detract from what is, in fairness, a fairly good film

[wellthatswhatithinkanyway · 7/10 · 20 March 2006]

STAR RATING: ***** The Works **** Just Misses the Mark *** That Little Bit In Between ** Lagging Behind * The Pits

A true story depicting the story of Crips founder Stanley 'Tookie' Williams, played by Jamie Foxx. Imprisoned on multiple counts of murder in the early 80s, the film takes off on the verge of Tookie's execution date, when he is visited by a journalist (Lynn Whitfield) eager to learn about the gang culture. Impressed by the intelligent and seemingly remorseful man she now sees in front of her, she is astonished when he asks for her help-in writing children's books warning of the dangers of gang life! This is the beginning of his path to true redemption and his nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.

I got a little caught up last year in the big Tookie debate as the day of his execution dawned (or maybe just a little after it.) Ancient history now, but I thought it would still be interesting to check this film out and learn a little bit more about the story behind Tookie.

As the actor playing him, Foxx was one of the celebrity vocal exponents for granting clemency to Tookie in the closing days before his execution. I'm willing to bet he met the man and spoke with him to research his part a bit, and that his portrayal of the imprisoned man is fairly accurate. Tookie's crimes sound truly despicable and in the eyes of many his death by lethal injection may even have sounded too merciful, but I think what the film is trying to portray is an example of how the American prison system has worked in it's ability to 'rehabilitate' a criminal and make him into a more intelligent, if not entirely decent, human being. With Foxx in the lead role, I can't help but feel his personal politics on the matter may have had some say in how the script panned out, and at times it does feel a little one-sided, going to great lengths to show the new improved Tookie without going into too much detail of the atrocious crimes he committed, but then a few other films could be accused of that recently.

Quality wise, the film suffers from a bit of a disjointed opening, with too much use of flashy camera effects. Early on, this actually put me in such low expectations for the rest of the film that I actually found myself nodding off for a bit. But Foxx does deliver a compelling performance in the lead role and things do get more interesting as the film goes on. Plus it should be commended for wrapping the very heavy subject matter it's depicting up in just under an hour and a half. ***

"This place doesn't make you a man."

[sixerzpac3 · 7/10 · 11 April 2004]

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Lynn Whitfield, CCH Pounder, Brenden Richard Jefferson

TV movie: FX

The year was 1971. It was the year that 17-year-old Stanly "Tookie" Williams started the Crips street gang in South Central Los Angeles. His intent was not to have a violent gang, but to have a gang for which him and his friends could stand up for themselves and their community in a non-violent way.

The gang turns violent after more gangs are created and they can't bond together and unite as a whole. Thousands of lives are lost and thousands of lives are put into rival gangs.

Tookie is convicted of several murders as a young man and is sentenced to death. Barbara Becnel is a journalist with a son in college who she is worried about turning into a gangsta. She becomes one of Tookie's best friends while he's on Death Row and helps him get a book deal for children's books.

Tookie has been nominated for 3 Nobel Peace prizes and continues to tell children to stay out of gangs and not to follow his route through his writing. He is still on Death Row at San Quentin to this date.

This is not the average gangsta movie. It was made for TV and doesn't have the usual amount of swearing and violence as you may see in other movies of its' type. There's lots of dialogue and reminiscing, so it's important that the viewer watches at all times. It would probably pass as PG-13 if it were released into theatres. -Pat

7.5/10

Potentially powerful movie fails to find a steady pace

[vincent-100 · 6/10 · 19 December 2005]

The topic of Stan Williams often incites heated and emotional debate. A movie about his life was therefore a perfect opportunity to inform both sides of the armchair debaters, showing why Tookie was put in prison and sketching the events leading to his self-claimed redemption. Tookie was a wretched man - he said so himself. The movie should have shown how wretched he was. It should have shown the violence he was exposed to when he was young, the murders he was convicted for, his violent behaviour in prison for many years before he had a change of heart. He also always claimed he was innocent of the crimes he was sentenced for, so there was an opportunity to film the murders with some doubt as to the perpetrator. It could really have built around the doubt, and played on the emotional conflict of carrying out the sentence or having mercy on a changed man. But the movie doesn't focus on the character change of Tookie. It never focuses on his violent nature, and the viewer is not taken on the journey of the evolving character. Instead, the film starts off with the nice Tookie Williams who has kind eyes and a nature that evokes sympathy. His former crimes are only eluded to, and he is depicted as an honest man seeking release from prison as a place he can't get used to and just doesn't belong. Jamie Foxx is a brilliant actor, but unfortunately does not portray the latent demon that was Tookie. Jamie is too nice-looking, and not nearly huge enough. If you are not familiar with the Tookie Williams story, this movie will seem to jump around a lot and will not make as much sense as it is supposed to. Those unfamiliar with the story will side immediately with Tookie and want him to be released from prison. As such, it is not an accurate portrayal, and it is not clear what the film was trying to create. The movie never really finds its rhythm and it is an unfortunate lost opportunity. The viewer should have a good idea of how bad Tookie was, and then be able to judge for himself the genuineness of the change, and only then start to question what Tookie's fate should have been. These questions did not need to be answered in the movie, but they should at least have been posed. Instead, the end result is a random and inelegant sympathetic sketch of Tookie's last days that ends on an imperfect cadence.

" I was very moved by this film "

[feundre · 5 September 2004]

This movie was brilliantly directed and very moving. Before watching this movie, I never knew the true story behind the creation of the gangs in California. My outlook on gangs was vague but very harsh. This film opened me up to a whole new world of insight on gangs and the man himself Stan "Tookie" Williams. This film showed me that with a positive influence anything is possible. This film should be watched by not only want to be gang members but children of all creeds and nationality. My kids watched this movie and were very moved by what they saw also. This movie gets two thumbs up for a well directed, well acted, well portrayed story of Mr. Williams. If i were offered the opportunity to meet him it would be an honor for not only myself, but my kids as well.

Excellent Movie HutDIL Kayla

[restless3164 · 6/10 · 14 April 2005]

The Beginning In the spring of 1971, when Tookie was 17, he was in a very different situation. He was a high school student from South Central Los Angeles. He had a fearsome reputation as a fighter and as a "general" of South Central's west side. And, around that time, Tookie, along with Raymond Lee Washington, created what would one day be a super-gang, the Crips. Back in the day when Tookie and Raymond founded the Crips, many of the young people of South Central Los Angeles were involved with small gangs. Those gang members roamed South Central taking property from anyone who feared them, including women and children. To protect the community, Tookie and Raymond organized the Crips.

Growth By 1979, the Crips had grown from a small Los Angeles gang to an organization with membership spread across the State of California. By this time, Crips had also become just like the gang members they had once sought to protect themselves from -- Crips had become gangbangers who terrorized their own neighborhoods.

Soon the Crips lost both their leaders: in 1979, Raymond was murdered by a rival gang member, and, that same year, Tookie was arrested. He was charged with murdering four people. In 1981, Tookie was convicted of those crimes and placed on death row.

Life in Prison In 1987, Tookie began what became a 6 1/2-year stay in solitary confinement. After two years there, Tookie began to look at himself. He focused on the choices he had made in his life and then committed himself to make a drastic change. The long, difficult process he undertook to rebuild his character put him in touch with his true spirit, his own humanity. Only then could Tookie finally begin to care about the many children, mothers, fathers and other family members of this country hurt by the Crips legacy and by its explosive growth. The gang is now in 42 states and on at least one other continent: South Africa. Youngsters in Soweto and other South African cities have formed the Crips copycat gangs

Tookie Today Tookie greatly regrets the violent history of the Crips -- particularly how so many young black men have hurt each other -- and he wants to do what he can to stop it. The Tookie Speaks Out Against Gang Violence book series for elementary-school-age children is the first fruit of his longing to prevent young people of every color from becoming gangbangers, from ending up in prison, crippled by bullets, or killed.

Tookie is determined to make amends for having been a co-founder of the Crips. He intends to try in every way he can to guide those youngsters who have imitated him away from the road that led him to death row where he faces State execution. "Don't join a gang," he tells children in his books, writing from his San Quentin cell. "You won't find what you're looking for. All you will find is trouble, pain and sadness. I know. I did."

High expectations turned into a huge disappointment

[Travis_Bickle01 · 6/10 · 12 August 2005]

First when I checked out this movie, I was kinda surprised by the rather low rather nonetheless the many awards. Now that I've seen this movie, I understand why. I thought this movie would be good, but I was disappointed after watching it. The director and the writer of the screenplay have made quite a mess of it. The movie could have been great because the story itself is good enough, but the way it's turned into a movie isn't exactly a success.

There isn't any dept or emotion in the movie. The whole is quite flat and boring as well. The only reason to watch this movie is because of Jamie Foxx's performance. Although the story is based on true events, the way that it's turned into a movie makes it very unbelievable.

Disappointing. 6/10

Barbaric

[vikings_fanatic2002 · 1/10 · 13 April 2006]

This movie is absolutely barbaric. Tookie Williams was rightfully executed. Those who defended Tookie for who he was should be ashamed of their ignorant selves. Okay, they probably knew that he killed 4 people, but do they know anything more? His first victim, Albert Owens, night manager of 7/11, was forced to kneel to the ground before Tookie shot him twice in the back with a 12-gauge shotgun. He left behind 2 daughters. Apparently, Snoop Dogg has more sympathy for Tookie than them, because he didn't hold a fundraiser for them. Tookie later told a friend that he killed Albert Owens "because he was white." He boasted about the killing to his own brother, bragging, "you should have heard the way he sounded when I shot him," and then laughed hysterically as he mimicked the dying man's struggles for breath.

His other 3 victims were shot at point blank range. One of them managed to live in excruciating pain for a few hours after her left side of her face was blown off. Tookie later bragged about "blowing away" the family, whom he described as "Buddhaheads." Are you taking notes, Bianca Jagger?

Enough of this redemption crap! HE NEVER APOLOGIZED. HE NEVER EVEN ADMITTED WHAT HE DID. Tookie refused to aid police investigations with any information against his gang. So apparently his message is, "Don't be in a gang, but if you are, don't rat out your friends." If he truly denounced what he did, he would have apologized and given to law enforcement the information so they could prevent future murders. If his books were to be effective, they would have to come from the heart. Judging by what he's refused to do, they don't come from there. The cost of keeping him alive after the appeals outweighed the benefit of him writing books that were bogus and could easily be subbed with something more effective.

The man did not make America better. He unleashed the devil of the Crips. He destroyed over 1,000 lives, including killing 4. He's a phony. Those who felt sorry for him or nominated for him for the Nobel Prize should be ashamed of themselves.

Thank you Arnold for not falling into his trap and giving him justice!

16 year old opinion.. fantastic

[user-252 · 10/10 · 11 January 2006]

i am only 16 and always watch movies. My family gets dvds pretty much everyday so in my video shop i have literally seen nearly everyone. This one is different. It is a real & meaningful story leaving us thinking and learning more as the movie went by. For the people who live the life he grew up in, the meaning of the movie is something I'm sure they will think about. World Peace isn't going to happen overnight. We all know that. But to look at this mans awful life and know that if we keep on hating, we may lead the same life one day. if not us maybe our future children- thats scary. Stan Williams woke up his neighborhood to a life of crime and later did all he could to save them.. he is a hero and this movie touched my heart.

Redemption Song...

[jpschapira · 7/10 · 3 October 2005]

This is not the movie I thought I'd see tonight, but…Even when I didn't want to, for the first time in a while, I doubted the intentions of a film. Doubting is not a negative thing, though, but it is in a lot of ways related to disappointment. "Redemption" is a well made TV film, and it has lots of elements that don't make it disappointing I will talk about, but again; the intentions. To explain the intentions I have to take myself back to the film itself, but I won't do that. When I refer to intentions I mean what the piece tries to generate on the viewer. This is stronger when the film is based in biographical or true events, as this feature. I don't know how much of exactitude this has with Stan Williams' life, but if you are trying to reach someone with something that actually happened, you have to keep it real.

Many parts in "Redemption" were unconvincing to me. I would like to research about "Tookie" Williams, the Crips, the Nobel Prize nominations…I would like to read biographies, the books he wrote…I would like to find out about who he was, what he did, how he did it; knowing that this is likely impossible, and having just seen a movie that should have explained it all. I wonder if it is possible for a man with no culture or education, having been a gangster half of his life, to learn the most difficult words, write with a capacity enough to be awarded, think philosophically and profoundly, and literally become a wise-ass just because of being locked up and having none other thing to do.

The story, despite having occurred in real life, follows common plot lines used in most of movies of the type today. The journalist who wants to write about a prisoner, and first thinks of it just like a job and as a chance of expressing herself, but eventually after getting to know the man behind bars, gets to involved with him and his thoughts, which might be dangerous for her life, etcetera. This is just the general overview, because the film covers different aspects, with flashbacks of Williams' (Jamie Foxx) past, situations in the journalist Barbara Becnel's (Lynn Whitfield) personal life, a glance at the society.

With all this the movie still seems unfinished. First, the movie introduces Williams as a leader and violent individual destined for prison. Then, when he ends up in prison, eventually isolates from the world, reads the definition of the word "redemption" out loud and meets Barbara Becnel, J.T Allen's screenplay presents him as something similar to a Buddha; with glasses, a long haircut that inspires peace and expressions that in occasions out limit the journalist's knowledge. The screenplay also contains phrases that don't seem honest, but convenient and intends that we think, for example, that Williams has one powerful talk with his mom almost at the end of the film, when supposedly she has been visiting the man for years. This does not mean the scrip is flawed but that of course, it is manipulative and not many will buy that.

Vondie Curtis-Hall's direction is way too noticeable for a TV feature. He is not fond of the still shots I witnessed constantly during "Everyday People". He prefers the constant movement, and expresses this during the whole movie, where a shot doesn't stay still during more than ten seconds. He puts the audience to think too, in a lot of instances. Consider the movie's most interesting scene, when Stan is working out and suddenly has a dream…I don't know if Williams ever dreamed that or something similar, but Curtis-Hall made me meditate about it. The director's work isn't disappointing and neither is the main actors'. Lynn Whitfield left me speechless. Besides her eyes being full of expression, almost about to cry and her power in the most stirring scenes, she reminded me of a live person I know. Her face, her ways, made me think of this person in the future.

Blame me, but this is just the fourth time I've regarded Foxx's work. I first saw him in the underestimated "Shade" and thought he overacted; then I watched "Collateral" and I was truly amazed by his gifts; and before this film, I was taken to the past, where in Ice Cube's "The Players Club" he seemed like a relaxed and natural actor. However it was last year when he became word everywhere. "Ray" is a movie I must see, but then here he looked a lot different than in "Collateral", and he achieved a different performance.

Here, the softness in his voice remained, but it was the manners of this more certain and confident man and the strength of this fighter that marked this portrayal. I think the industry may have rushed with him, and that we need to see what he does next. I hope he isn't just an actor who chose some right roles but then looked the other way. He recently starred in a science fiction film alongside Jessica Biel. He'll have to prove the talent to me in a movie like that, I mean; Halle Berry got it for "Monster's Ball", but look where she stands now.

Below average attempt with anti-gang themes (POTENTIAL SPOILERS)

[fyodorfin · 3/10 · 19 March 2005]

Redemption takes a stab at promoting the wrongfulness of gangs and spiritual awakening. However, it greatly comes up short in both of these areas. First and foremost, Jamie Foxx does an extremely mediocre job of portraying ex-gang-leader Stan Tookie Williams, often showing little emotion and speaking monotonously throughout the entire movie, gathering no support from the audience. Many camera angles completely contradict this acting style, constantly staying in extreme close-ups as Foxx gives an unemotional performance. For being represented as an anti-gang movie, the screenwriters spend way too much time giving justifications for gangs rather than approach the problem straight on. Also, having the same character represent both sides at different stages in the movie can confuse the viewer into doubting his liability. Foxx's spiritual awakening in the cell is downplayed up until the last twenty-or-so minutes where religion becomes the basis for his whole "journey." Overall, the inconsistencies in the script hinder Redemption and the poor acting cuts any possible emotional ties.

Another Awesome Performance of Jammie Fox in a Polemic Story

[claudio_carvalho · 8/10 · 1 January 2006]

On December 13th, 2005, I read on the Brazilian newspapers that Stanley Tookie Williams III was executed by lethal injection after the denial of clemency from the Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger. Tookie was the founder of a Los Angeles gang called Crips, and condemned for the murder of four persons. After almost seven years in the death row at San Quentin, he decided, with the support of a journalist, to write instructive books for children, being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and to the Nobel Prize for Literature on the next year.

This touching story is very well directed and has another awesome performance of Jammie Fox, probably one of the best American actors in this moment. However, it is very difficult to give an opinion about the polemic and controversial situation of Stanley Williams only based on this movie and a few recent readings. First, I do not know how manipulative this film might be, since it shows only a regenerated and regretted man trying to help children to not follow his path, but never his crimes or how cruel he was while living outside jail. But anyway it is an excellent movie to make the viewer think about some issues. Lets admit that Stan Williams had really regenerated, therefore, accomplishing with the major objective of the penal system. In this situation, his death proves the complete failure of this system, destroying a well-succeeded case of human recovery of a criminal and giving the worst example to the other prisoners. In the other side, there are the relatives and friends of his victims: all of this situation, giving the chance of a murderer writing books for children, would be very offensive for them. I really liked this very awarded and nominated movie. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Redenção" ("Redemption")

what ever happened to Stan Williams?

[terrileggins · 7/10 · 19 November 2005]

I watched the movie and think like what every one else thinks. Once your locked up and facing a long sentence of course your going to change or find god. So, what ever happened to tookie because at the end of movie it doesn't say. I know that he was still awaiting death role but did he die or what? Also, does anyone know what the real Stan Willams looked like? Did he have kids before going too prison? People can change so, you cant say that he was full of it when he started writing children's books. I too don't believe in the death pentaitly. I also think that he was serous about changing. And that is all i have to say. If anyone can answer these questions please do so because i'm curious.

Tookie is sh*t and so are Foxx and this revisionist movie

[dumpfile1313 · 1/10 · 26 December 2005]

First off,

"The Nominators – Peace

Right to submit proposals for the Nobel Peace Prize, based on the principle of competence and universality, shall by statute be enjoyed by:

1. Members of national assemblies and governments of states; 2. Members of international courts; 3. University rectors; professors of social sciences, history, philosophy, law and theology; directors of peace research institutes and foreign policy institutes; 4. Persons who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize; 5. Board members of organizations who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize; 6. Active and former members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee; (proposals by members of the Committee to be submitted no later than at the first meeting of the Committee after February 1) and 7. Former advisers appointed by the Norwegian Nobel Institute.

The Nobel Peace Prize may also be awarded to institutions and associations.

Prize-Awarder: The Norwegian Nobel Committee, Oslo"

Not exactly an exclusive list. Being Nominated Doesn't Mean Sh*t!

Second, Tookie didn't "found the Crips". He started a Crip gang. Hundreds of Crip gangs exist. You can start your own in your area. Really.

Third, his children's books are all of 24 pages long each and he couldn't even do that without "co-author" help.

Fourth, poor white males are statistically the most likely to get the death penalty for murder. Look it up.

Fifth, one of Tookie's sons in jail for murder and another is wanted for molesting a 15 year old girl (his step-daughter). Apple didn't fall far from the tree.

Sixth, he was involved in numerous violent altercations while in jail including threatening to have guards murdered.

Seventh, he is an unrepentant murderer, armed robber, and racist.

Mistakes happen

[pplowden · 30 November 2005]

I have watched the movie Redemption Two times and, I must say that it really touched me. First and foremost I don't agree with the way that our legal system is set up to begin with. Everyone likes to see criminals locked up behind bars to serve the time that they are sentenced. That is all fine and well but, what about when their sentence is up and, it's time for them to released back into "real population"??? Jails do not fully help people become rehabilitated because once they leave their cell they are basically on their own. In most instances after being released they are assigned to a Parole Officer to whom they report to. This is not enough what is needed is a back up system merely a support group. We don't want them to live in our neighborhoods and most companies don't want to hire ex-con's so what is their next resort back into a life of crime that ends up making the door to the jail house revolving. As I have stated earlier after watching the movie I have gained an interest in convicts and, on the conditions of their life in prison and beyond. I would like to see improvements in how they are treated while serving out their sentences. Now most will disagree with what I propose but, even though the jail house is full of rapist, child molester's, murders, etc.,. they are still human beings first.

Good acting

[kosmasp · 6/10 · 8 April 2007]

Jamie Foxx is very good and believable as Stan Tookie, the title character and main player here. The storyline follows through from beginning to the end (although the beginning is a bit weak compared to the rest of the movie).

It's a shame then, that the film is just to strict when it comes to it's morality. Everyone sees something else in it, so it's a shame that you only get one side of the story. Only one possible solution. The director did the thinking for you and tells you how to feel about this story. It'd be better if he had some arguments against his own beliefs in the movie, because it just seems like a one way road ... if you haven't seen the movie you might be confused about what I'm talking about, but you will get it, once you watch the movie. And it's worth watching, for the aforementioned Jamie Foxx performance!

Red Light - Green Light

[hitchcockthelegend · 6/10 · 5 April 2015]

If solely judged on Tookie Williams during his prison years, Redemption is a cracker-jack piece of film. It drives from the heart a sincerity that here was a man, that basically unleashed gangland hell on America, who desperately craved redemption from his prison cell. He strives to do good, to help communities by way of education in book and oration form, but is the film heavily biased towards the redemptive angle? Is the monster side of Williams soft soaped? Sadly yes it is.

We don't need to see continual violence thrust in our faces to know Williams was a very bad egg, but although we see staged flashbacks that break the heart and frighten us, director Vondie Curtis-Hall and writer J.T. Allen are fully committed to garnering empathy for the man. Of course on the flip-side of that, if they showed an abundance of violence perpetrated by Williams, then accusations of glorifying would surely have followed. Yet there has to be a balance, a balance that some film makers do find, but it isn't found here.

Is it a story worth telling? Yes it is, of course, and with a superb and controlled performance by Jamie Foxx in the title role driving it forwards, it remains riveting throughout. However, when the dust settles and the end credits roll, what of the victims families blighted by Williams crimes? How must they have felt seeing Williams having a film made about him? A double edged sword movie for sure, artistically above average? Yes. Morally? Questionable. 6/10

Good, but...

[dejan8378 · 6/10 · 17 September 2010]

I was expecting more balanced story between who He was and who He became, but that doesn't happens here. Instead, 90 % of the movie is concentrated on who He became and it is done well with thoughtful dialogs.

Unfortunately it depicts a little of His violent past, blurry presented, and far from enough so we can feel the change. It is a warm story nicely told, but also doesn't goes beyond that, doesn't surprises, but follows a firmly determined line, and in the end instead culminating, slowly fades.

However a good job is done her, since this is a hard story to tell. In the end I must say, a great performance by Jamie Foxx, well transformation.

Interesting story, bad script

[Tet-5 · 4/10 · 26 March 2005]

The story of Stan Tookie Williams is really interesting, immediately after watching this movie I tried to find more about him on the Internet. But unfortunately, I think the movie is very superficial. It is nothing more than a accumulation of disconnected scenes, of which only a few give some insight in this man. I'm sure there is so much more to tell about him, so much unused interesting material. I consider this movie to be a missed chance, it could have been a lot better considering the material. If you are interested in Stan Tookie Williams, check his Internetsite or read his books. But skip the movie, it just isn't worth your while. It leaves too many questions unanswered.

Excellently Done

[erinsm · 10/10 · 12 December 2005]

I think this movie is excellently done. It tells Williams' story in vivid detail and lets you know a lot about him. Anyone who is in either the Bloods or the Crips needs to see this movie, as well as people who aren't in gangs, but want to know more about them. We watched this movie in my Health class last year and I became fascinated with Williams and how he tried to escape the violent life he'd led by doing good for others. This has changed the way I look at gangs and I really think people need to see this movie for their opinions to change as well. Tookie Williams admits that he regretted the things he did and for that, he deserves to be granted clemency...although that will never happen now. I feel sorry that such a good influence has to be destroyed. He didn't start out well but he more than made up for it. I suppose the ones too shallow to see that are the ones calling for his death, and truly I pity them. If they look upon his works and call them insignificant because they were written by a gang member then they are crazy and need to be shown what change is.

Anti-White revisionist propaganda.

[biopunkbeau · 1/10 · 21 June 2017]

This film is low-budget and cringe-worthy in its lack of subtlety and realism.

But worse than those flaws is the skewed narrative on which a hardened mass murderer who went to his grave refusing to admit to his multiple murders is painted as a Nelson Mandela-like figure.

The film departs from reality so much that it must be seen for what it is: historical revisionism with a heavy dose of Evil Whitey.

That the film has the gall to present multiple cold-blooded murders (including the shotgun killing of a family for some cash) as "internalised racism" is infuriating.

The murders are brushed over and barely mentioned, the actual details of which paint a very different picture of the man.

Stan "Tookie" Williams went to his grave refusing to actually redeem himself and confess to his murders, he refused to help police by giving insight into the Crips, he continued to associate with Crips in prison.

I cannot even relate to the level of naivete required to buy this narrative.

I would urge anyone to read about Tookee's crimes, racial hatred and appeals based upon racist treatment from juries.

The only reason I would watch this movie again is to tally up how many scenes have an over-the-top hate-filled white guy making poor Tookee's prison life difficult.

Shame on the Nobel committee. I do not blame Jamie Foxx, he was early in his career and was probably desperate for a role. He was actually great but the character was intolerable.

Ignores the role of alcoholism in creating this classic Jekyll and Hyde

[icgsinc · 8/10 · 8 December 2005]

Although we can't be sure how much of the persona is real, Jamie Fox beautifully portrays Tookie Williams in this well-made film. Likewise, Lynn Whitfield plays the endearing journalist Barbara Becnel, who asks Tookie to provide information for her upcoming book on gang history. The roles, in the end, reverse, when Becnel realizes Tookie needs her help in delivering his message.

The flaw in the movie, as in so many that portray addicts, is the failure to link convoluted thinking and misbehaviors to alcohol and other drug addiction. Tookie explains he helped start the Crips to "protect the neighborhood." Responding to Becnel's comment that it was a criminal enterprise from the start, Tookie replies that the cops weren't protecting anyone. "Either I was going to be a victim or a victimizer." However, he failed to note that he'd been doing drugs since at least age 13, when he sniffed glue, and didn't co-found the Crips until he was 18. And like most other hard-drug addicts, he was probably an early-stage alcoholic from the start.

When Becnel asks, "How can you possibly justify shooting a man who looks just like you?" Williams responded, "At the core is an embedded sense of self-hate…you start to believe those…stereotypes…depicting that the majority of blacks are buffoons or functioning illiterates, promiscuous, violent, welfare recipients and criminals…You lash out at those individuals that fit those stereotypes…trying to obliterate those negative images." However, Tookie neglected to mention the alcohol and other drugs consumed in addictive quantities by most of those having such belief systems, including him in his prior life. Such drugs cause distortions of perception and memory in susceptible individuals, of which he is one. Nor did the movie forge the link between his sobriety and change of heart, which is crucial to understanding the man.

He was too out-of-control for his mother, who took him to his father—whom he had never met—and who promptly abandoned him. While now eloquent and likable, he didn't remark on when he first used drugs—which may have been a period leading to his out-of-control behaviors.

Becnel put her history aside when Tookie told her, "I don't want to leave my legacy here as simply being the co-founder of the Crips, if I can keep a kid from coming to this place…" He tells her he wants to right his wrongs by writing children's books and shooting not people, but videos, in which he would apologize for his part in creating the Crips. "I deeply regret the legacy that it left because it left a legacy of genocide: black on black genocide." While making it clear that the course of violence must be reversed, he again ignores the role of alcoholism and other-drug addiction in creating the mindset that leads to the lion's share of abuse, including the ultimate crimes.

At one point, the film points out he stopped using when he decided to seek redemption. The link is blurred, but at least it's there. He stopped using, which allowed him to seek redemption; redemption is impossible while still using, because the active addict thinks he's God.

What the movie lacks in forging the link between addiction and misbehaviors, it makes up for in good acting and speeches of atonement. "We do good because it makes us feel alive. The first half of my life I was dead…but now the second half I get a chance to live and do something about it. And if I have to die in order to show the meaning—the true meaning of it—then so let it be." And, he points out the importance of self-responsibility in speeches to children: "This place (prison) does not make you a man. The moment you begin to make excuses for yourselves, that's the moment you get on to a pathway leading straight to here." And, "My violent gang past is unworthy of imitation or praise." He admits his greatest mistake ever was to co-found the Crips, while explaining that life is all about choices and that to assume there wasn't a choice is "just an excuse." However, he fails to point out that he never would have engaged in repetitive and horrific criminal behaviors if he hadn't inherited addiction, a common failure among addicts who all-too-often don't understand their own disease.

Nonetheless, it's a good movie about redemption. My understanding of alcoholism--on which I write extensively--has turned me into a strong believer in the idea of allowing addicts to do what they can to right their sometimes heinous wrongs, if they are willing. The movie portrays him as having made a very decent attempt, even if the wrong can never be fully righted.

As good as his performance in Ray

[Davo66 · 10/10 · 18 March 2005]

I saw this movie after seeing Jamie perform in Colatteral and RAY.

I didn't think much of his performance in Colatteral maybe because the script that he was working with didn't give him much to work with.

But after seeing Ray and then this movie I would have to say that Jamie is the best actor in Hollywood at portraying real life characters.

This movie is educational without being preachy which is difficult considering the subject matter and is a testament to the skill of the lead actors, Jamie Foxx and Lynn Whitfield.

This is a movie you must see.

I gave this movie a 10 out of 10 rating

Amazing

[juvdefender · 9/10 · 17 January 2005]

I was amazed and impressed at Jamie Foxx's portrayal of Stanley Tookie Williams. As a result of seeing this movie, I purchased the book - and have just received it in the mail. I'm just digging into it, and can't wait. I highly recommend purchasing the book - if I'm not mistaken, the proceeds are being used to end gang violence, give kids alternatives to gangs, and other philanthropic projects. Tookie is not reaping the benefits of the book (to preempt all the cynical people out there). I wish Jamie had won the Golden Globe tonight for his portrayal of Tookie Williams - (he did win for his portray of Ray Charles). I can't say enough, how truly impressed I was with his work in this film.

A Lesson on Redemption by John D Evans

[jdpoetry1 · 9/10 · 21 November 2005]

The life of Stanley "Tookie" Williams has been wrought with a series of highs and lows that the multi-talented genius, Jamie Foxx, so convincingly brings to the big screen. So fortunate we are to witness, in our lifetimes, such creativity (Foxx) and courage (Williams). Although we make mistakes, we must remember not to allow those mistakes the ruin our futures.

Let the Redeemed Say So Can we execute a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize? Can we smile before his face while plotting his demise? Can we claim to hear his voice and yet close our eyes? Can we take away dreams and preach hateful lies? Can we ignore the redeemed and his silent cries? Refuse to forgive him, continue to forbid him When he is not the same, he wants to teach He has children all over the globe to reach By John D. Evans We cannot change the mistakes of our past, but we can make a change for the better.

God save Stanley "Tookie" Williams