The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete (2013)
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Two abandoned boys must navigate the dangers of a gritty Brooklyn housing project while trying to survive a summer alone.
The story
Set in a gritty Brooklyn housing project, the film follows 13-year-old Mister, a smart and tough boy who dreams of becoming an actor, and 9-year-old Pete, a shy Korean-American boy. After their respective mothers are taken away by authorities, the two boys are left alone for the summer with no money, food, or electricity. To avoid being sent to foster care, Mister keeps their situation a secret while they struggle to survive day-to-day, facing dangerous neighbors and street criminals. Amidst the struggle, Mister remains focused on an upcoming audition for a TV role as his potential escape from poverty.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In a gritty Brooklyn housing project, 13-year-old Mister and 9-year-old Pete are left alone for the summer after their mothers are arrested. Mister, who dreams of acting, tries to protect Pete while they navigate a world of no food, no electricity, and dangerous neighbors. As the summer progresses, they face theft and hunger, and Pete falls ill. Mister eventually tries to work for his mother's drug dealer and is later apprehended by police after a confrontation at a convenience store. Both boys are sent to a juvenile detention center where they are reunited. Meanwhile, Mister's mother, Gloria, completes rehab and attempts to find him. The boys eventually realize they will be separated again and say their goodbyes. Mister eventually reunites with his mother, and the film ends with him starting a new school year and writing about his experiences.
- First release year
- 2013
- Runtime (minutes)
- 108
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- George Tillman Jr.
- Writers
- Michael Starrbury · writer
- Cast and characters
- Skylan Brooks · Mister; Ethan Dizon · Pete; Jordin Sparks; Jeffrey Wright; Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje; Anthony Mackie; Jennifer Hudson · Gloria
- Genres
- drama; coming-of-age
- Themes
- abandonment; poverty; brotherhood; addiction
- Tone and mood
- gritty; poignant
- Setting
- A gritty Brooklyn housing project during the summer.
- Premise and plot tags
- buddy drama; coming-of-age; urban
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews from critics, who praised the direction, screenplay, and the performances of the lead actors.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 61 · scale: 100 · review count: 16
- Awards and nominations
- Outstanding Independent Motion Picture · NAACP Image Awards · 45th · Nomination; Best Director · Black Reel Awards · 14th · Nomination; Best Screenplay, Adapted or Original · Black Reel Awards · 14th · Nomination; Best Breakthrough Performance, Male · Black Reel Awards · 14th · Nomination
- Production trivia
- The film features a deleted scene where Mister and Gloria pick up Pete from the detention center.; The film was released on DVD in February 2014.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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