To think that this was produced by Cannon films, one of the most notorious companies of the eighties, for making cheesy, yet unbelievably watchable films, is amazing.Reporter Jonathan Fisher promises to write a factual story of prostitution. When he tries to get information from pimps, he is ignored. So he ends up faking a well received story of a pimp, describing his life and crimes. But police think the story is of a real pimp who is wanted for murder. The pimp also thinks the story is about himself, and wants to know what Jonathan knows, and who told him.....If you haven't heard of the film, and have just seen the one sheet, you'd be forgiven the film is about a washed up comedian who has a very small audience.The trouble is with Reeve, even though he is a really good actor, you just can't get Superman out of your head, every time you see him, and every time he utters a word. So even though this was a dream project for him, he just doesn't fit the role, after all he is the greatest American hero.So thank heavens for Morgan Freeman, whom if you've not seen him in a film before Robin Hood, really plays against type as Fast Black, and is the sole reason to watch this film.The story is great, it really had the potential to be a hard hitting film. And even though the film doesn't fail to entertain, and has some really tense moments, the casting of Reeve just makes the film feel like he's in a safe environment all the time.if the lead was cast with someone like Douglas, or even Ford, it could have been more believable.It's still an entertaining, original film, but Reeve just doesn't fit the grittiness of the narrative.

the screenplay was so terrible with absolutely unbelievable, highly unlikely, totally improbable scenario and logic premises. but if we could treat it as a nostalgic production wherein we would have the chance to look at that primitive first generation of desktop computer, the handsome christopher reeve, the still middle-aged morgan freeman, and some of those familiar screen faces male and female, then this movie would suddenly become bearable. but if we return to the reality, then this movie suffers great flaws from the very beginning. how could it possible a struggling street journalist could dream up a documentary report on the dark street of new york? this guy got no experience whatsoever in the pimping, whoring and druggie business in new york street, how could he suddenly dream up such topic and pitch it to his magazine employer? and then, how could a knowledgeable magazine boss would buy it? and the district attorney, the huge new york readers would buy it? if this guy is such a genius writer, he wouldn't still be such poor guy still struggles in the basement of the literary society. there are so many fundamentally impossible and unfeasible question marks on this movie's plot and the scenario. it just looked so unrealistic and unconvincing when i watched this movie. it gave me an impression that the screenplay writer(s) being just as naive and amateurish like the main character of this movie. street smart? not in the least.

A reporter, Jonathan Fisher(Christopher Reeve) who creates a story about a pimp to get himself out of a rut and into the prestige of the New Yorker magazine, becomes a hot commodity, and finds himself in hot water as a Harvard district attorney believes he has personal inside information on a real pimp being prepared for trial over a heinous murder(he kicked someone's face in). Fisher becomes immersed(more like embroiled, for lack of a better term) in the nightmarish world of Fast Black's life, discovering first hand his violent temper and short fuse for anyone(including/especially his working girls)who crosses him the wrong way. Fisher's involvement with Fast Black is the heart of this movie, what he endures for a fabrication and how his life evolves into a tumultuous state of affairs. Fast Black wants Fisher to cook up another story about how they were together when the murder took place. Threats from Fast Money are serious business and when Fisher says he will not comply with his demands, danger awaits the reporter..his career rises as he hits the streets exposing corruption and the city's welfare/plight.How a work of fiction, pinned out of desperation, can send a reporter into the doldrums is the film's emotional arc and as is seeing how Fisher climbs himself out of the bleakest of situations, not to mention his getting even for the stabbing of his girlfriend Alison(Mimi Rogers). Boy, does the plot sure put Fisher in a bind..that, to me, is part of what makes Street Smart such an intriguing crime drama.The electric Morgan Freeman, at times charismatic, charming, and other times ferocious and explosive, blows poor Christopher Reeve right off the screen, but the parts are really arranged this way. Reeve was picked on by critics for a supposed "non-performance" which I feel is unfair, because the other members of the cast, like Kathy Baker(..as Fast Money's foxy streetwalker, Punchy) and Freeman, have such colorful characters to portray. Seeing a nervy Reeve riding along with the unpredictable Freeman who could turn crazy any moment is particularly effective. Certainly a highlight is Fast Black(and Punchy)being introduced to the big money crowd, a party hosted by Fisher's editor Ted(Andre Gregory; A DINNER WITH ANDRE) commingling with the New York elite, trying to score some new talent(!). Probably the most frightening scene has Punchy asking Fast Black to relieve her of duties for a while, sticking up for herself when he will not hear of it, scissors pulled as a tool to remind her of who's boss. Seeing Fisher turn the tables on Fast Black through manipulation in regards to Reggie(Black's enforcer)is quite gratifying, even though we must accept that this whole scenario grew from a fictional expose written out of a desire to find success. I imagine this had to be a relief for Reeve, a way of escape the shadow of the Man of Steele..this may very well be one of the Cannon group's most quality films.

Freeman gives his most powerful performance here. I've seen almost all of Morgan's films but I think this is his most outstanding performance. Fast Black is one juicy character and Morgan brings life into it. Christopher Reeve, god bless his sole, is a pretty bad actor. I only seen him in his Superman roles, which I wasn't much a fan of. But here his character gets a lot of screen time and Reeve just can't live up to it. He makes the movie boring. Kathy Baker excels in her role. Mimi Rogers does her part well. The film has an amazing storyline here, but screenplay is 50/50. If Morgan had more scenes the movie would have been way better. Yes there are some really strong scenes, but all of them involved Freeman. The direction wasn't great, if this movie was handled by a better director it would of been memorable. Many people probably don't even know about this movie and that's a shame because Freeman's performance must be watched. Freeman's outburst scene where he puts a bottle up to Reeve's face and gives him a 20 second stare is WOW. And not to forget the scissor scene where he threatens to poke Kathy's eye out...MARVELLOUS. What disappoints me the most, regardless of the many flaws in direction, is that Freeman didn't have a last scene in the climax. In a movie where Morgan kept everyone in their seats, the director/screenwriter didn't hook him up with a proper climax scene. I was expecting something huge, but instead the ending was the same old same old. Overall, the movie is OK, but Freeman's performance is great.