A Piece of the Action
Movie • 1977
ReportSynopsis
How does retired cop Joshua Burke (James Earl Jones) get two career criminals, Manny Durrell (Sidney Poitier) and Dave Anderson (Bill Cosby), to follow the straight and narrow? Con them into helping juvenile delinquents turn over a new leaf. But how? Burke has never been able to nail the duo, but he uses what he knows of their seedy past to blackmail them into volunteering.
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thatladyingreen
There are jokes between the teenagers that dance around sexual harassment, but no one is shown being sexually victimized or unable to escape unwanted attention (except at the end, where the teenagers play a bizarrely serious prank; no one is harmed).
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thatladyingreen
The film deals with children living in struggling socioeconomic circumstances; some of the dialogue implies difficulties at home though nothing is made explicit.
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Is a minor sexualized?
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thatladyingreen
Several of the teenage characters make sexual remarks to adults and to each other. The characters who are minors are never filmed in an objectifying way nor are they dressed provocatively. Sometimes they speak about themselves and others in very sexualized ways, but the film never portrays them as objects of desire; they are always framed and treated by the adults around them as kids.
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Does someone die by suicide?
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Does someone attempt suicide?
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Is rape mentioned?
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thatladyingreen
A joke is made between two characters about rape. Given that one of the characters is played by real-life rapist Bill Cosby, it's a tough moment to stomach.
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thatladyingreen
Mentioned by several characters as happening to other people, not explicit, condemned by all characters on screen
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Are there incestuous relationships?
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Is there sexual content?
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thatladyingreen
Sexual encounters are implied by doors closing or a couple kissing in their shared apartment. No nudity. Some sexy dancing at a dance club.
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Are there abusive parents?
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thatladyingreen
See note on "Is there child abuse?"
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Is someone sexually objectified?
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thatladyingreen
A club character who appears only to flirt with Bill Cosby's character (and make a sexual assault joke).
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Does an abused person forgive their abuser?
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thatladyingreen
A student feels she's being talked down to by an adult, so she gives the woman a verbal dressing down. Later, the two of them express mutual affection for one another.
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Does someone say "I'll kill myself"?
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Is there hate speech?
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thatladyingreen
A group of black teenagers are repeatedly referred to as "gorillas" by black adults working with them. Also see note under "Are there n-words?"
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Is someone restrained?
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thatladyingreen
**SPOILER** Durrell is restrained by Bruno's henchmen when he goes to deliver the stolen money.
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Does the abused become the abuser?
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Does a woman get slapped?
National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233)
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Is someone stalked?
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thatladyingreen
**SPOILER** In order to monitor the men in the situation he's contrived, a police officer follows, watches, and sends letters to the other men. It is not romantic, sexual, obsessive, or voyeuristic.
Additionally, a man romantically pursues a woman with ulterior motives (though he comes to have genuine affection for her that is reciprocated), and he is pushy in his pursuit of her.
Additionally, a man romantically pursues a woman with ulterior motives (though he comes to have genuine affection for her that is reciprocated), and he is pushy in his pursuit of her.
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Does someone abuse alcohol?
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thatladyingreen
One character is shown to drink continuously, and though the addiction is not treated as a flaw on her part, the alcohol use is played for comedy. The character does not "get drunk" nor do we see negative behaviors as a result of her drinking.
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Is someone watched without knowing?
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thatladyingreen
See note under "Is someone stalked?"
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Is someone kidnapped?
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thatladyingreen
**SPOILER** The character Nikki is kidnapped, while Bea Quitman is pseudo-kidnapped (forced to work with the antagonists because of threats made against her grandson).
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thatladyingreen
17-18 year olds are shown playing cards for blunts (marijuana cigarettes), drug use is referenced multiple times
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Is there a shower scene?
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thatladyingreen
A woman comes out from a shower in a towel, but she is not shown in the shower.
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Does someone have a mental illness?
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thatladyingreen
Not sure where to put this, so nesting it here. A character has a younger brother with an unspecified intellectual disability. The character is shown to love his brother very much and to be motivated to get a job so that their mother can stay home with his brother. The character says that his brother has almost hurt himself several times (accidentally) and that he's worried about his brother's safety. The film is very compassionate to both characters.
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Is there obscene language/gestures?
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thatladyingreen
17-18 year olds who use A LOT of inappropriate language (just like real teenagers [I say that with love :)]). Also the adult characters use mild swears on a few occasions.
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Is a minority is misrepresented?
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thatladyingreen
Your Mileage May Vary - This film is very 1970s and has a specific perspective on black identity and black culture within Chicago. It is a touch morally didactic and has strong "no handouts" messaging. I didn't find it to be misrepresentative, but I'm an outsider to the groups of people being represented. Anyone who is would be a better source for this.
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Are there usages of the n-word?
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thatladyingreen
Black characters use the word to refer primarily to themselves, and the word is not used by any white characters nor in a specifically hateful way. However, it is also absolutely used in a pointed way, **SPOILER** particularly in a speech by Barbara where she points out hypocrisy from the people working at the community center.
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Is there copaganda?
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thatladyingreen
One of the main characters is a retired detective whose actions, though criticized by one character, are ultimately shown to be positive and beneficial. Another cop, who's dirty, is protected by the protagonist cop.
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Are there end credit scenes?
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thatladyingreen
The credits roll over top of footage of the cast dancing together
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Is there gun violence?
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thatladyingreen
**SPOILER** Not really, the kids play a "prank" on the adults where they pretend that one of the kids shot another of the kids. It is utterly bizarre, no one is harmed, and as soon as the "shot" kid stands up, no one talks about it again.
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