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Street Fight

Play trailer Poster for Street Fight 2005 1h 26m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 22 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Documentarian Marshall Curry chronicles the 2002 mayoral race in Newark, New Jersey. The election involves Sharpe James, who has held the seat for 16 years, and his challenger, attorney Cory Booker. Curry investigates the legality and ethics of the veteran mayor's tactics, and captures James' staff engaging in illicit behavior and threatening their competition with violence. James' vicious smear campaign is also documented. Spike Lee and Cornel West appear in the film on Booker's behalf.

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Street Fight

Street Fight

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Critics Consensus

Street Fight takes an immersive ground-level look at a pivotal political race that proves illuminating, entertaining, and inspiring in equal measure.

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Critics Reviews

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Steven Rea Philadelphia Inquirer 03/03/2006
3.5/4
[Marshall] Curry's picture is must-see fare for any and every observer of the curious world of American politics. Go to Full Review Sam Allis Boston Globe 03/03/2006
3/4
The documentary is simple and strong and small. Its grit lifts it above its mechanical shortcomings. Go to Full Review Peter Rainer Christian Science Monitor 03/02/2006
A-
If you didn't already realize that politics can be a dirty business, then Marshall Curry's Oscar-nominated documentary will set you straight. Go to Full Review Cory Woodroof 615 Film 07/06/2022
A major entry in the political documentary space. Go to Full Review Peter Keough Boston Phoenix 04/23/2009
Funny, infuriating, and suspenseful, Street Fight is both a critique of the process and a vindication. Go to Full Review Devin Faraci CHUD 02/27/2009
9.2/10
Street Fight isn't going to restore your faith in our desperately broken electoral system, but Cory Booker -- and the last moments of the movie -- may help you harbor that little flame of hope. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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01/18/2019 Direct access into the reality of campaigning politics in a heated election stands as a feature-length promo for Cory Booker's second round to become mayor of Newark, New Jersey, showing off his charismatic relation to the people with a strong play against fighting off the opponents' horribly ignorant lack of sportsmanship. Marshall Curry's brilliantly-structured, engrossing documentary exposure is worth electing as a timelessly forgotten, probably representational example on what politics should really be in acting their own age at the same time insightful towards the unfairly corrupted shadows. (A-) (Full review TBD) See more 07/11/2018 Cory Booker is a racist crybaby. Shallow, limited intellect and a race baiter. I'd rather watch paint dry than this propaganda piece See more 03/31/2013 A real life version of the movie "The Campaign" and almost as funny... See more 10/27/2012 Excellent documentary on the 2002 mayoral race in Newark, New Jersey that showcases old school politics at its dirtiest from long-time incumbent Sharpe James. Has added significance in light of James' convictions on fraud in 2008. See more 05/19/2012 Great eye opening documentary that followed Cory Booker's '02 campaign for mayor of Newark, NJ against long time mayor, Sharp James. Sharp James was RUTHLESS. This documentary was named one of the "50 docs to see before you die" and also led to the award winning reality series "Brick City", which I loved. Those interested in Black politics should definitely check it out. See more 03/30/2012 Rough and tumble Politics See more Read all reviews
Street Fight

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Cast & Crew

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Marshall Curry

Director

Marshall Curry

Writer

Marshall Curry

Producer

Liz Garbus

Executive Producer

Rory Kennedy

Executive Producer

Marshall Curry

Cinematographer

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Street Fight

Street Fight (2005) Street Fight (2005) Street Fight (2005) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Documentarian Marshall Curry chronicles the 2002 mayoral race in Newark, New Jersey. The election involves Sharpe James, who has held the seat for 16 years, and his challenger, attorney Cory Booker. Curry investigates the legality and ethics of the veteran mayor's tactics, and captures James' staff engaging in illicit behavior and threatening their competition with violence. James' vicious smear campaign is also documented. Spike Lee and Cornel West appear in the film on Booker's behalf.
Director
Marshall Curry
Producer
Marshall Curry
Screenwriter
Marshall Curry
Production Co
Marshall Curry Productions
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 23, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 5, 2016
Runtime
1h 26m