Some of the best scenes in this movie take place after Ike (Glynn Turman) has been totally taken over by the late hustler, J.D. Walker. The scene when he walks into a New Orleans club dressed in a 1940's hat and suit, spats on his feet, and his conked hair has to be seen to be believed. Turman does a remarkable job switching back and forth between struggling law student Ike, and J.D., the razor-toting dead hustler out to revenge the death of his younger sister. Overall, this is not a bad film, but some aspects of the plot are muddy. A moment when Ike plays the numbers (what we know as the lottery today), suggests that he may have had a criminal past, but it's not explored further. We learn from flashbacks that Elijah Bliss (Lou Gossett, Jr.) was a hustler, and are given hints in the present story that his current job as a preacher may be a scam. Judging from his sermons, Elijah may have been a boxer too, but that is not fleshed out, either. The conclusion of the film leaves some unanswered questions, as well. Despite of some weak plot points, and misogynistic attitudes, this is still an enjoyable movie.
Review of J.D.'s Revenge
