The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete
A coming of age story about two inner city youths, who are left to fend for themselves over the summer after their mothers are taken away by the authorities.
Director:
George Tillman Jr.
Cast:
Skylan Brooks, Ethan Dizon, Jordin Sparks
Screenplay:
Michael Starrbury
Screening Date:
Oct 05, 2013
| Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50.0% | 32.3% | 11.3% | 4.8% | 1.6% |
“One knew from the beginning Mister would not be defeated. A slice of life in the projects where the drug dealers hold sway. Well done! The 2 boys were great. One could say Mister’s mother instilled a sense of pride in self for him just from his name Mister. Agreed it does have universal themes of love, attachment friendship etc. It could be criticized as having a saccharine ending, but I think it was realistic. Glad for an up ending. The x factor for kids who have been through violence and abandonment is the $64,000 question. It would have been interesting to have a question mark at the end of the title speculation.”
“Mister does get the Oscar, what a great young actor! He has a real future. I just wanted to take these wonderful children home and give them a real start at life. I know that there are many children out there facing such terrible loneliness and pain. I am so sorry that his is the case. Yes the Oscar goes to Mister!”
“The kids were terrific, but Mister was so skinny. I cringed. Realistic for the part, but I hope not for his real life.”
Perhaps the best film ever made on inner-city projects youth, and let's face it there aren't many. Great survival story, solid script and the performances are stunning for kids this age. And yes, as a teacher, the theme here is universal so should work for all audiences. There is more to Black cinema than Spike or Tyler.
“Grim and trite slice of life film. I’ve seen it so many times before.”
“Not good if you are looking for escape.”
“Had its moments, pulled on heartstrings. A lot of lines for 2 children belonged in mouths of adults.”
“I was weary going in but was truly pleased with this film.”
“Great casting of boys and entire supporting cast. The screenplay feels very personal and real, not cliché at all. I loved the scene with the hamster inside the ball; it felt so much like a thing kids on their own would do? Special moments in the film Linda’s relationship with Mister. Mother with Mister on the bus and then again when they meet again at the end of the movie. The hooded thieves in the hall.”
“This was a beautiful and realistic film.”
“A realistic approach to inner city problems but not captured in a cultural invisibility point of view. Overall acting and performances were excellent.”
“You will probably not get a very large Black audience. They want to laugh not cry. At least the blacks were not singing, grinning or dancing. Common topic self-hatred, weak Black men, welfare, drugs etc. Very hard to watch. At least you showed a messed up Asian family too. Music was great.”
"Hard to take.”
“The incredible part is the story and the acting of the two boys.”
“A bit long and repetitious, but a strong representation of a very realistic sad situation. Kudos to Skylar and Ethan, great job!”
“Would love to see this movie paired with HOME ALONE as a study in contrast.”
“The feel of the projects felt authentic. The kids were great, but the ending contrived with the mother getting clean and saving her son.”
“Love it! Very real!”
“One of the hardest true films I’ve seen. But so depressing, I am hesitant to recommend it. Where does the audience go with this? It’s so powerfully depicts the horror. What suffering there is out there? This is a feel bad film.”
“One of the main reason I always sit through the credits is to marvel at the vast number of people involved in the making of the film, and wonder at the collaborative and cooperative effort. I’d assume the director was the ringmaster of the show, but clearly the executive producer is the real overseer. A wonderful film with a great heart as well as heartbreak.”
If you'd like to know more about the film...
"Toughing It Out Against All Odds" , the New York Times' review of the film:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/11/movies/inevitable-defeat-of-mister-pet...
Interview with the cast at the 2013 Sundance Festival:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H4i1n5vX7c
