Streets is a 1990 crime drama film directed by Katt Shea and starring Christina Applegate, David Mendenhall, and Eb Lottimer. The film tells the story of Dawn, a teenage runaway who becomes involved with a group of homeless teens living on the streets of Los Angeles. As Dawn tries to survive in a world of danger and violence, she is forced to confront her own traumatic past and make difficult choices about her future.
The film explores themes of homelessness, poverty, drug addiction, and abuse, and has been praised for its raw and gritty depiction of life on the streets. Despite its serious subject matter, the film also features moments of humor and humanity, and has been noted for its strong performances and emotional depth.
Streets received mixed reviews from critics upon its release, with some praising its realism and powerful performances, while others criticized its graphic content and bleak tone. The film had a limited theatrical release and was primarily distributed through video on demand platforms.
Despite mixed reviews, Streets has developed a cult following and is often cited as a noteworthy film in the independent cinema landscape. The film’s exploration of themes such as homelessness and trauma were praised for their depth and complexity, while the film’s powerful performances and emotional resonance have made it a memorable and impactful work.
Cast
The cast of Streets (1990) includes:
- Christina Applegate as Dawn
- David Mendenhall as Sy
- Eb Lottimer as Clyde
- Damian London as Jake
- Jennifer Balgobin as Tracy
- Julius Harris as King
- Patrick Renna as Charlie
Christina Applegate stars as Dawn, a teenage runaway who becomes involved with a group of homeless teens living on the streets of Los Angeles. David Mendenhall plays Sy, one of Dawn’s friends who is also homeless. Eb Lottimer plays Clyde, a streetwise older man who acts as a mentor to Dawn and the other teens. Damian London plays Jake, a drug dealer who preys on vulnerable young people. Jennifer Balgobin plays Tracy, a former child star who is now struggling with addiction. Julius Harris plays King, a homeless man who offers Dawn shelter and protection. Patrick Renna plays Charlie, a young boy who is also living on the streets.
Production
Streets (1990) was directed by Katt Shea and produced by Roger Corman’s New Horizons Pictures. The film was made on a modest budget and was shot on location in Los Angeles, California.
The screenplay for Streets was written by Katt Shea and Andy Ruben. The film was inspired by Shea’s own experiences working with homeless youth in Los Angeles, and was intended to shed light on the struggles and dangers faced by young people living on the streets.
The film’s raw and gritty depiction of life on the streets was achieved through a combination of on-location filming and the use of non-professional actors, many of whom had experienced homelessness themselves. This approach gave the film a sense of authenticity and realism that was praised by critics.
Despite its modest budget and limited resources, Streets was noted for its strong direction and powerful performances, particularly by Christina Applegate in the lead role. The film’s exploration of themes such as homelessness, poverty, and abuse were also noted for their depth and complexity.
Streets was primarily distributed through video on demand platforms and had a limited theatrical release. While the film did not make a significant impact at the box office, it has since developed a cult following and is often cited as a noteworthy film in the independent cinema landscape.
Reviews
Streets (1990) received mixed reviews from critics upon its release. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 50% based on six reviews, with an average rating of 5.7/10. The site’s critical consensus reads: “No consensus yet.”
Despite its mixed critical reception, Streets has since developed a cult following and is often cited as a noteworthy film in the independent cinema landscape. The film’s raw and gritty depiction of life on the streets was praised for its authenticity and realism, while the film’s strong performances, particularly by Christina Applegate in the lead role, were noted for their emotional depth and impact. The film’s exploration of themes such as homelessness, poverty, and abuse were also noted for their complexity and depth.
Overall, while Streets may not have been a critical or commercial success upon its release, it has since become a cult classic and remains a noteworthy film in the independent cinema landscape. Its exploration of important social issues and powerful performances by its cast have ensured its enduring impact on audiences.
Where are they now?
Here is an update on where some of the main cast members of Streets (1990) are now:
- Christina Applegate, who played Dawn, has continued to act in film and television, appearing in projects such as Married… with Children, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, and Dead to Me. She has also been involved in various charitable causes, including breast cancer awareness and animal welfare.
- David Mendenhall, who played Sy, has continued to act in film and television, appearing in projects such as Over the Top, Transformers, and Mad Men. He has also worked as a voice actor on various animated series and video games.
- Eb Lottimer, who played Clyde, passed away in 2004 at the age of 60. He had a long career in film and television, appearing in projects such as The Warriors, The Wanderers, and Ghostbusters.
- Damian London, who played Jake, has continued to act in film and television, appearing in projects such as Star Trek: The Next Generation, Charmed, and The Mentalist.
- Jennifer Balgobin, who played Tracy, has continued to act in film and television, appearing in projects such as In Living Color, Baywatch, and Beverly Hills, 90210.
- Julius Harris, who played King, passed away in 2004 at the age of 81. He had a long career in film and television, appearing in projects such as Live and Let Die, Darkman, and Twin Peaks.
Overall, the cast members of Streets have continued to have successful careers in the entertainment industry, with many appearing in a variety of different projects. They have also pursued other interests and philanthropic endeavors outside of acting.
Fun facts
Here are some fun facts about Streets (1990):
- The film was inspired by director Katt Shea’s own experiences working with homeless youth in Los Angeles.
- The film’s cast included several non-professional actors who had experienced homelessness themselves, giving the film a sense of authenticity and realism.
- The film’s lead actress, Christina Applegate, was just 18 years old at the time of filming and had already gained fame for her role on the sitcom Married… with Children.
- The film’s director, Katt Shea, went on to direct other notable films such as Poison Ivy and The Rage: Carrie 2.
- The film’s producer, Roger Corman, is known for producing low-budget exploitation films and has been dubbed the “King of the B-movies.”
- The film was shot on location in Los Angeles, giving it a sense of gritty realism that was praised by critics.
- Despite its serious subject matter, the film also featured moments of humor and humanity, providing a balanced and nuanced portrayal of life on the streets.
- The film’s exploration of themes such as homelessness, poverty, and abuse were noted for their depth and complexity.
- Streets was primarily distributed through video on demand platforms and had a limited theatrical release.
- Despite its modest budget and limited resources, Streets has developed a cult following and is often cited as a noteworthy film in the independent cinema landscape.
Box office
Streets (1990) had a limited theatrical release and primarily received distribution through video on demand platforms. As a result, the film did not have a significant box office performance.
Unfortunately, there is no publicly available information on the film’s box office revenue. However, it is known that the film was produced on a modest budget and was primarily distributed through alternative channels. While the film did not make a significant impact at the box office, it has developed a cult following and remains a noteworthy film in the independent cinema landscape.
