80s B movie turned out an Oscar nominee

Street smart, 1987 Forgotten production of Cannon today (responsible for several "beloved" b-movies of the 80s, often with Chuck Norris), but the film that gave Morgan Freeman his first Oscar nomination. Her creation was the condition set by Christopher Reeve to then star in Superman 4.

A young journalist who is in a New Yorker-style magazine, but is being spat on, scribbles and writes a profile/interview of a non-existent pimp. The text excites not only the management of the magazine, but also an actual person in the square who believes that it refers to him. However, the prosecuting authorities, who are trying to put him in prison, believe the same. Glory awaits the journalist, who develops into a TV Evangelist, but has reckoned without the hotelier.

Directed by Jerry Schatzberg (Panic in Needle Park, The Scarecrow) the film was very different from the usual Golan & Globus productions. Despite some naïveties of the script (the career rise of the journalist in a few days is laughable), it contained excellent performances from Morgan Freeman (who at 50 finally got recognition) and Kathy Baker, fast pacing, lots of nice details and atmosphere (although the filming took place in Canada - what an original - the director "captures" the pulse of New York, presenting its different sides, on the streets, but also in the various lofts and chic haunts of high society) and of course Christopher Reeve. At his side was Mimi Rodgers ("Bosch"), then wife of Tom Cruise, in her second "New York" film that year, as she had also starred in Ridley Scott's Someone to watch over me.