Man, city politics is probably the most soul-killing, mind numbing public spectacle we humans witness from time to time. As evidenced in Street Fight, the chronicle of Sharpe James/Corey Booker mayoral race, one clearly sees the struggle between the bought James & the idealistic Booker fighting for a city that quite possibly doesn't care how the election will turn out since the outcome, to some, is obvious. Next to Illinois, New Jersey has the stench of political corruption on the city level so much so John Sayles created a fictional NJ town in his film, City of Hope, to showcase the rampant malaise affecting his berg. Now in this documentary, we see the corruption & graft in the flesh and we're fascinated by it but not really surprised. Corey Booker has gone on to become a state senator and even his 'successful' stint as a mayor is being recalled as problematic by the electorate which put him there. Can anyone escape the taint of the public calling?

This was a great documentary, as it achieved its purpose of energizing me and sucking me into the message. In this sense, the film was a total success and I am glad I watched it.

As an American, I am ashamed of many of the images I saw in this film. Now I am NOT saying that I thought Cory Booker was the man for the job of mayor--I really don't know everything he stood for in the campaign, though he did have a very likable style. However, even if he were a Nazi or Anarchist or transvestite or Satan himself, this didn't justify the incumbent's political machine abusing its power and ignoring the US Constitution. No matter how good a man Mayor James was, nothing justified his using police power to limit his competition's access to the people or limit the freedom of the press. This film should be proof enough that indictments should have been handed down on the James' administration and the police officers involved. Seeing this crap on camera is something nothing James or his people could justify--no matter how "good" or qualified he was.

Though not illegal, the James campaign also was ugly in its bold-faced race-baiting, Jew-baiting, gay-baiting and class warfare--though Booker was Black, not Jewish and NOT gay--nor should any of this matter!! Unfortunately, while sick, this is something that cannot be eliminated from politics--after all, there is a First Amendment freedom of speech which allows them to distort or defame--the SAME amendment that supposedly ensures Booker supporters freedom of the press! As an effective tool to energize the viewer, this film is it. I was totally angered by the old-time dirty politics (such as bringing in "volunteers" from out of state) and had hoped my country was better than this. Unfortunately in Newark it isn't. Also, if the purpose was also to get you to like Booker, it sure did that as well. Sure, I know that to some extent this must be propaganda and we may have never seen the real Booker. But it was very, very effective and persuasive positive propaganda. Too bad James appeal to the baser instincts of voters worked.

UPDATE--I was happy to see that Jame WAS recently indicted and convicted of corruption charges. This was not related to the rights violations seen in this film, however and he currently faces 27 months in prison. I hope every second of it is agony--after all, he owed more to the people. Also, Booker was finally elected mayor in 2006--and I'm sure this film had a lot to do with it.

PS--If you are curious, read up on ex-DC mayor Marion Barry and Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick (who is currently in jail). Apparently James isn't the only one of his kind. We deserve so much better.

It is not often that you get to see what goes on in the day to day of a campaign. In Street Fight, we see a newcomer trying to unseat an incumbent that has a 16-year hold on office, and is not afraid to use all the power at his disposal to crush this upstart. In addition, those who have been feeding at the trough of city government for those 16 years do not want their gravy train stopped. Dirty politics, dirty government, and a dirty city badly in need of repair. It makes for a compelling directorial debut and a story that should make all of us want to fight for the person we most want to see in office. It takes more than a vote to change a government!