Directed by
Stephen Gyllenhaal
Made by
New World Pictures
Scarlett, portrayed by Tatum O’Neal, is a resilient young woman who has learned to survive on the streets through illicit activities. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she finds herself facing murder charges after the death of a client. In a twist of fate, she crosses paths with Tracy Freeman, played by Irene Cara, the daughter of a well-off doctor, who is also in court for drug possession and resisting arrest. Their shared predicament creates a tense atmosphere, punctuated by Tracy’s revelation of having faced racial slurs from the officer who arrested her.
The courtroom, filled with other defendants, descends into mayhem when one inmate rebels against the judge. Amid the chaos, a shoot-out erupts, allowing Scarlett and Tracy to escape while the confusion reigns. Completely unaware, the police pursue them, mistakenly believing they participated in the violence.
As they flee underground into the sewage system, the weight of their choices bears down on them. Tracy pleads with Scarlett to reconsider their escape, but Scarlett is determined, believing they will be held accountable for the shooting. Her coercive nature compels Tracy to continue on this dangerous path. Meanwhile, Tracy’s father, Moses Gunn, desperately seeks help from Lt. Speier, portrayed by George Murdock, only to receive the grim news that seven individuals lost their lives in the chaos.
Navigating the perilous sewer tunnels, the girls encounter a lone officer who inadvertently causes an explosion that kills himself. In the catastrophic aftermath, while Tracy advocates for surrender, Scarlett insists on remaining free, fearing that submission would brand them as threats to law enforcement. In a moment of vulnerability, she reveals her illiteracy, heightening her sense of desperation.
Emerging from the depths, they signal a cab and head into the city’s decrepit areas. As Scarlett attempts to abandon Tracy, the latter refuses to be left behind, caught in a web of confusion and unwilling to reach out to her father. A fierce argument ensues, ignited by Scarlett’s racially charged insults, leading to Tracy retaliating physically. In a stunning twist, Tracy demands Scarlett’s help to clean up and start afresh.
As they reach the elusive Sniffer, played by Nicholas Campbell, a questionable figure in the underground world of pornography and drugs, it becomes clear that Tracy is wading into dangerous waters. Surrounded by tension, Sniffer reluctantly allows Tracy to freshen up in his apartment, and the dynamic between him and Scarlett becomes increasingly hostile, revealing that he was the one who set Tracy up with the man she is accused of killing. Scarlett attempts to convince Sniffer to abandon his criminal ways and escape with her, but his growing irritation culminates in a violent confrontation where he brandishes a knife, ultimately throwing her out.
Without losing hope, Scarlett seeks aid from Rodney Gage, but he becomes vicious, inflicting a cut on her face that symbolizes the brutality of her circumstances. Meanwhile, an unsettling arrangement unfolds as Lt. Speier proposes a sordid deal with Rodney: aiding in the capture of Scarlett and Tracy in exchange for the release of numerous criminals.
Rodney sends his henchmen to Sniffer’s whereabouts, creating a tense and chaotic scenario. When Scarlett returns, she finds an irate Tracy who has found a concealed weapon in the apartment. Desperate to shift the focus from her injuries, Scarlett lays blame onto Sniffer and steals his stash of drugs. As Rodney’s goons close in, the girls make a hasty exit, followed by Rodney, the police, and Sniffer in a turbulent chase.
Finding limited refuge in an abandoned warehouse, Scarlett attempts to sell the stolen drugs while Tracy succumbs to fatigue. However, their short-lived safety is shattered when Sniffer discovers their hiding place and injects Tracy with a powerful narcotic. As flames threaten to consume the warehouse, Scarlett confronts Sniffer in a life-or-death struggle, ultimately leading to his demise in the inferno.
With the fire raging behind them, Scarlett rescues a lifeless Tracy and brings her to a junkyard for transient shelter. In her quest for food, Scarlett uncovers a newspaper detailing their supposed deaths, serving as a grim reminder of their dire situation. Faced with this harsh reality, Scarlett must chart their next steps.
Euphoric for a moment, Tracy proposes an escape to the mountains for new jobs as waitresses. Scarlett, initially hesitant, finds herself at odds with Tracy, leading to an emotional breakup. Their once unbreakable bond now lies in tatters, replaced with feelings of disappointment and yearning.
As fate would have it, the authorities, having lurked in the shadows waiting for such a moment, close in on them, accompanied by Tracy’s father—a haunting reminder of the dangers they face. In a frantic attempt to flee, Scarlett is caught in a hail of gunfire yet is fortunate enough to avoid severe injuries.
Ultimately, amid the chaos, Scarlett and Tracy reaffirm their loyalty to each other, vowing to stick together against all odds: “Even if it kills us,” they declare, their collective resolve a testament to the resilience born from adversity.
Scarlett's Life on the Streets
Scarlett, a young woman portrayed by Tatum O'Neal, navigates a life of survival on the grim streets, often engaging in illicit activities to make ends meet. She has learned to adapt to her harsh environment, relying on her wit and resilience.
Facing Murder Charges
Scarlett's life takes a dramatic turn when she finds herself embroiled in a murder charge after the death of a client. This unexpected event forces her to confront the consequences of her survival tactics and the precarious nature of her existence.
Tracy's Drug Possession Case
In the courtroom, Scarlett meets Tracy Freeman, played by Irene Cara, who is also dealing with her own legal troubles for drug possession and resisting arrest. The two young women's paths cross amid the turmoil, setting the stage for their unlikely partnership.
Courtroom Chaos
The courtroom descends into chaos when an inmate rebels against the judge, leading to a violent shoot-out. In the ensuing confusion, Scarlett and Tracy seize the opportunity to escape, unaware that they are now fugitives.
Descent into the Sewers
As they flee from the chaos above, Scarlett and Tracy navigate the dark sewage system, grappling with their decisions and the weight of their situation. Tracy pleads for a reconsideration of their escape, but Scarlett's determination pushes them further into danger.
Explosion in the Sewers
Amidst the perilous escape, a lone officer's actions inadvertently cause an explosion that claims his life. This tragic incident heightens the stakes for Scarlett and Tracy, who now find themselves in even more perilous circumstances as they evade capture.
Conflict with Sniffer
Scarlett and Tracy eventually find themselves in the presence of Sniffer, a dubious figure in the criminal underworld. Their encounter escalates into a confrontation, shedding light on the dark dealings surrounding Tracy's previous actions.
Desperate Choices and Violence
Scarlett seeks help from Rodney Gage, who turns vicious and inflicts violence upon her. This brutal interaction symbolizes the harsh realities of their lives as they continue to grapple with betrayal and the struggle for survival.
A Race Against Time
As the chase intensifies with Rodney's goons on their trail, Scarlett and Tracy are forced to flee once more. Their connection is tested as they navigate this chaotic landscape filled with adversaries and uncertainty.
Struggle for Survival
In an abandoned warehouse, Scarlett tries to sell stolen drugs while Tracy faces her own exhaustion. Their temporary safety is shattered when Sniffer discovers their hiding place, leading to a life-or-death struggle.
A Fatal Encounter
The tension escalates as Scarlett confronts Sniffer, who injects Tracy with a narcotic amid the chaos. This brutal act sets off a fire, and in the chaos, Scarlett fights for survival, ultimately leading to Sniffer's demise.
The Junkyard Refuge
After the harrowing experience, Scarlett rescues a seemingly lifeless Tracy and takes her to a junkyard for shelter. In the midst of their survival, Scarlett discovers a newspaper reporting their supposed deaths, adding to the weight of their predicament.
A Hopeful Proposal
Tracy dreams of escaping to the mountains for new beginnings, envisioning a life as waitresses. However, their differing views lead to an emotional rift, shaking the foundation of their once unbreakable bond.
Confrontation with Authorities
As the authorities close in, accompanied by Tracy's father, the situation becomes dire. In a frantic bid to escape, Scarlett narrowly avoids gunfire, highlighting the ever-present danger surrounding them.
A Renewed Bond
Amidst the chaos and confusion, Scarlett and Tracy reaffirm their commitment to each other, vowing to stick together against all odds. Their declaration emphasizes the resilience and strength forged through their shared adversity, even as their future remains uncertain.
Scarlett (Tatum O'Neal)
Scarlett is a resilient young woman who has adapted to life on the streets through illicit means. Her coercive nature and determination are central to the plot as she pushes both herself and Tracy into dangerous situations. Beneath her tough exterior lies a vulnerability, revealed through her illiteracy and desperation to escape their dire circumstances.
Tracy Freeman (Irene Cara)
Tracy is portrayed as a young woman from a privileged background who finds herself in a life-threatening predicament. Her initial innocence clashes with the harsh realities she faces alongside Scarlett, leading to a transformation in her character. Despite the mounting danger and personal conflicts, she showcases a desire for redemption and a fresh start.
Sniffer (Nicholas Campbell)
Sniffer is a dubious figure entrenched in the underground world of drugs and pornography. His volatile nature adds tension to the story, as he manipulates situations to his advantage. His interactions with Scarlett and Tracy reveal a darker side of survival and exploitation in a corrupt environment.
Time period
The narrative captures a contemporary urban setting where the clash of societal issues like racial tensions, drug abuse, and crime emerges. The events unfold swiftly, reflecting a world filled with chaos and desperation, emphasizing the protagonists' struggle against the system and their fight for survival in a harsh reality.
Location
courtroom, underground sewage system, city’s decrepit areas, Sniffer's apartment, abandoned warehouse, junkyard
The movie unfolds in various gritty locations, starting from a bustling courtroom full of defendants to the claustrophobic underground sewage system that symbolizes their desperate escape. The city’s decrepit areas highlight the societal issues they face, while Sniffer's apartment serves as a dangerous rendezvous point in the underground world of crime. The abandoned warehouse becomes a site of tension and chaos, contrasting with the transient shelter of the junkyard as the characters navigate their perilous existence.
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Friendship
The film's core revolves around the intense bond of friendship between Scarlett and Tracy, forged in adversity. Despite their vastly different backgrounds, they attempt to navigate a life on the run, showcasing the complexities of loyalty. Their relationship is tested repeatedly, depicting the impact of external pressures on personal connections.
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Justice
The theme of justice is prominently explored, as both main characters are entangled in a corrupt legal system. With murder and drug possession charges hanging over them, the film scrutinizes the notion of justice, particularly regarding societal inequality and the plight of marginalized individuals. Their struggle emphasizes the often blurred lines in the pursuit of justice.
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Desperation
Desperation permeates the characters' actions as they face life-threatening situations while fleeing from the law. The chaotic events push them to make grave decisions, driven by the fear of being captured or worse. Their relentless drive for survival reflects a poignant commentary on the lengths one will go to in the name of self-preservation.
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