This week I chose a forgotten gem of cinema, “Sneakers.” This films is a time capsule of two screen legends, one from the past and one (at the time) from the present. I speak of Sidney Poitier (“The Defiant Ones”)
This week I chose a forgotten gem of cinema, “Sneakers.” This films is a time capsule of two screen legends, one from the past and one (at the time) from the present. I speak of Sidney Poitier (“The Defiant Ones”) and the late, great River Phoenix (“Stand by Me”).
I will continue my presentation of these two masters, but I must note this film also stars Sir Ben Kingsley (“Hugo”), Robert Redford (“Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”) and was directed by Phil Alden Robinson (“Field of Dreams”).
With a legendary cast in place and a finely-tuned “caper” script, the cast and crew headed to San Francisco. I love when a movie shows us places we don’t always see. I love films set in New York City, but San Francisco-based movies are special to me because they show beauty of the Bay Area.
There are a lot of fun moments in this film, but the most essential is the capturing of Phoenix (“Running on Empty”) and Poitier doing the dance.
These two play to one another like any record Miles Davis and John Coltrane did. There is a unique backstory. Phoenix was the next leading man of his generation. He was changing cinema, and at 16, he was an Oscar-nominee and had already worked with many of the best directors in Hollywood by age 20.
Poitier is the man who broke down all racial barriers and was the first African-American to headline a film. Sidney’s 1963 Oscar (for “Lilies of the Field”) laid the ground work for future African-American winners of the same prize, such as Jamie Foxx (“Ray”), Denzel Washington (“Training Day”) and Forest Whitaker (“The Last King of Scotland”). Everyone owes something to Mr. Poitier.
Let’s go past the artistic references of jazz and dance. River and Poitier were forces of nature.
They commanded your respect, attention and love.
They immortalized themselves in our movie minds.
Phoenix was rumored to be leaving the business when he passed away in 1993 and Poitier was quoted after doing two films with Phoenix (the other was “Little Nikita”), saying “the kid’s got it.”
If anyone remotely loves films, there is no higher compliment then Mr. Poitier’s respect.
“Sneakers” will not disappoint.
In our era of massive daily consumption, you’re witnessing history in this film.
Go on Netflix and watch every film you can that starred these two men.
Rest in Peace Mr. Phoenix, and Mr. Poitier, may you live another 20 years.
