Five Corners
Despite going to the cinema two, sometimes three, times a week in the 1980s, I have no recollection of Five Corners.
The 1987 film, which stars Jodie Foster, Tim Robbins, John Turturro, and Todd Graff, spans roughly two days around a few blocks in the Bronx in 1964.
It’s a curious film. Directed by Tony Bill, Five Corners is set in a stylized New York populated by quirky, yet stereotypical, characters. It’s humorous one minute and dark the next — as well as darkly humorous at times.
Turturro is particularly outstanding as the sociopathic Heinz, who’s just gotten out of prison for the attempted rape of Linda (Foster) and returned to the neighborhood still obsessed with her. He’s backed by solid performances by Foster, Graff (who plays her boyfriend, Jamie), and Robbins (her pacifist protector, Harry).