It's 1952 Brooklyn. Local workers are striking against a factory. Harry Black (Stephen Lang) is the union shop steward who discovers his hidden homosexuality. He leads the young local hoods including Vinnie (Peter Dobson) and Sal (Stephen Baldwin) in the strike effort. The hoods often work with prostitute Tralala (Jennifer Jason Leigh) to rob her military Johns. Georgette (Alexis Arquette) is a local transvestite. Boyce (Jerry Orbach) is the head of the union. Big Joe (Burt Young) finds his daughter Donna pregnant and forces a shotgun wedding.
The story is scattered among several characters. The novel may be a little difficult to adapt. The acting is generally solid with some great stand outs. Jennifer Jason Leigh especially delivers another one of her outstanding hooker characters. The scattered nature could be alleviated if the movie is willing to abandon the pregnant Donna story and give more time to the other stories. Stephen Lang could use more time for his character's big movements.
The story is scattered among several characters. The novel may be a little difficult to adapt. The acting is generally solid with some great stand outs. Jennifer Jason Leigh especially delivers another one of her outstanding hooker characters. The scattered nature could be alleviated if the movie is willing to abandon the pregnant Donna story and give more time to the other stories. Stephen Lang could use more time for his character's big movements.