In this stark drama, paroled murderer Socrates Fortlow (Laurence Fishburne) ekes out an existence on the ghetto streets of Los Angeles and becomes a latter-day angel of mercy. Whether steering youngsters away from gangs, saving the marriage of troubled neighbours or getting medical help for down-and-out friends, Fortlow uses his intimidating presence to get results. It's a rather humourless and depressing picture of urban poverty and homelessness, but Walter Mosley's outstanding script (based on his book) and Michael Apted's firm direction make it compelling viewing.

An ex-con moves to L.A. to find work and creates a disturbance by fighting for a position. More importantly he touches the lives of many of his neighbors including an older man dying of cancer, a young married couple whose husband is too proud to accept a lesser position which causes strife with his wife, and a young boy on the verge of getting in trouble with street gangs.