MartinHafer This was a great documentary, as it achieved its purpose of energizing me and sucking me into the message. In this sense, the film was a total success and I am glad I watched it.As an American, I am ashamed of many of the images I saw in this film. Now I am NOT saying that I thought Cory Booker was the man for the job of mayor--I really don't know everything he stood for in the campaign, though he did have a very likable style. However, even if he were a Nazi or Anarchist or transvestite or Satan himself, this didn't justify the incumbent's political machine abusing its power and ignoring the US Constitution. No matter how good a man Mayor James was, nothing justified his using police power to limit his competition's access to the people or limit the freedom of the press. This film should be proof enough that indictments should have been handed down on the James' administration and the police officers involved. Seeing this crap on camera is something nothing James or his people could justify--no matter how "good" or qualified he was.Though not illegal, the James campaign also was ugly in its bold-faced race-baiting, Jew-baiting, gay-baiting and class warfare--though Booker was Black, not Jewish and NOT gay--nor should any of this matter!! Unfortunately, while sick, this is something that cannot be eliminated from politics--after all, there is a First Amendment freedom of speech which allows them to distort or defame--the SAME amendment that supposedly ensures Booker supporters freedom of the press! As an effective tool to energize the viewer, this film is it. I was totally angered by the old-time dirty politics (such as bringing in "volunteers" from out of state) and had hoped my country was better than this. Unfortunately in Newark it isn't. Also, if the purpose was also to get you to like Booker, it sure did that as well. Sure, I know that to some extent this must be propaganda and we may have never seen the real Booker. But it was very, very effective and persuasive positive propaganda. Too bad James appeal to the baser instincts of voters worked.UPDATE--I was happy to see that Jame WAS recently indicted and convicted of corruption charges. This was not related to the rights violations seen in this film, however and he currently faces 27 months in prison. I hope every second of it is agony--after all, he owed more to the people. Also, Booker was finally elected mayor in 2006--and I'm sure this film had a lot to do with it.PS--If you are curious, read up on ex-DC mayor Marion Barry and Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick (who is currently in jail). Apparently James isn't the only one of his kind. We deserve so much better.

asc85 It was interesting, and I enjoyed it. A little on the short side though...I believe it's running time is 83 minutes.In the director comments, Curry says this is "a film about Cory Booker, not a commercial about Cory Booker." I respectfully disagree with that. This film really shows no negatives about Booker. Is that "true"? I'm not sure. If it is true, then this film is an early look at one of the upcoming superstars in New Jersey (and probably American) politics. I can definitely see him running for Governor or Senator in the next 5-10 years. And then people will look back on this film with even more interest to see where it started.Sharpe James comes off looking pretty bad in this movie, and it seems deservedly so. However, as someone who has lived in New Jersey most of his life, I will say that Sharpe James was a huge improvement on the guy he replaced, Kenneth Gibson. The movie glosses over some of the things Sharpe James accomplished. Newark definitely still has a long way to go, but in my opinion, James left it in much better shape than when he got there in 1986.

lastliberal It is not often that you get to see what goes on in the day to day of a campaign. In Street Fight, we see a newcomer trying to unseat an incumbent that has a 16-year hold on office, and is not afraid to use all the power at his disposal to crush this upstart. In addition, those who have been feeding at the trough of city government for those 16 years do not want their gravy train stopped. Dirty politics, dirty government, and a dirty city badly in need of repair. It makes for a compelling directorial debut and a story that should make all of us want to fight for the person we most want to see in office. It takes more than a vote to change a government!

Trent Merchant Curry's unvarnished style and long sequences enhance the real life drama as he allows the story to unfold in front of us instead of manufacturing the drama by clever editing. Shot with a hand held camera and edited on a Mac, Curry the film-maker mirrors the determination and resolve of his main subject, political challenger Cory Booker. Repeated confrontations in the film make it clear that Curry had an opportunity to make himself the focus of a compelling side story, but he removes his ego completely. He only inserts himself as an occasional off-camera participant whose voice serves as a traditional chorus uttering simple, yet poignant reminders of what is at stake beyond the specific election he is covering. Like his presence in the film, Curry's voice-over narration is also sparse, yet effective. He sticks to open-ended observations and realizations, without ever crossing the line to offer value judgments. With its simplicity, small cast including chorus, and theme of family torn asunder, it is not unlike Greek tragedy...