Across 110th Street is a 1972 crime-drama film that every filmmaker should watch, especially in they’re a big fan of the genre. New York filmmakers will enjoy this one. It’s a combination of film noir and Blaxploitation – a genre that emerged in the United States during the 1970s.
Here’s what the story is about:
After a robbery in Harlem turns into a scene of mass murder, promising young black police officer William Pope is assigned to the case, along with surly, prejudiced Italian-American cop Frank Mattelli. The pair clashes during their tense investigation as they try to track down the three suspects and apprehend them. Also searching for the fugitives is ruthless mobster Nick D’Salvio, who will stop at nothing to retrieve the stolen money.
The first ten minutes were extraordinary. The movie’s beginning is divided into three words: Money, Cops, and Guns. Act One and Act Three were the most intriguing parts of the movie because they kept you on your toes. Act Two was a little bit slow and uninteresting, but you needed to pay attention to every detail because of how it connects to the storyline.
Overall, this movie deserves an 8.5 out of 10 stars. A classic New York film taking place in the heart of Harlem.
