On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee and was buried in Atlanta, Georgia. His death had a significant impact on the community of Cleveland, Ohio, leading to ongoing crowds and riots. Four days after King’s funeral, we follow Tank (Julian Mayfield), who is struggling with the recent tragedy and death. He has been drinking heavily to cope with the news, which weighs on his mind and soul.
When Tank is invited by his friend to rob a storage facility where they hope to steal a large quantity of guns and ammo, Tank is so drunk that he declines the opportunity. Plus, given his drunken state, he would likely cause more harm than good. Tank’s friend proceeds with the robbery with a group. While they’re successful in stealing various weaponry, a security guard gets shot and killed in the process, and a piece of clothing, including a tag, is left behind. Now, the police are seeking vengeance for the death of the security guard and offering a large reward to anyone who may know who is responsible. In a moment of desperation and hoping to leave the town to start fresh, Tank wrestles with the temptation of dobbing in his friend to receive the money all for himself. Will Tank throw his friend to the police to benefit himself?
Uptight is a heavy drama film with a touch of thriller. For those unaware, the film is based on the novel The Informer by Liam O’Flaherty and is directed by Jules Dassin, whose previous works behind the camera include Rififi (1955) and Naked City (1948). Given the director’s past work, it’s no secret that he adores focusing on drama, thriller projects, and sometimes even films with a touch of crime.
The story throughout Uptight feels like a living nightmare for the main character, Tank. The recent death of Martin Luther King has changed Tank (and the entire world) forever, putting him under pressure and feeling like he needs to be constantly aware of his surroundings. Now he lacks trust in others, leading him to make rushed and poor choices. Julian Mayfield delivers a compelling performance as Tank, but the character is unlikeable for most viewers. While he often makes big promises and talks a lot about his dreams, he can never fulfil them because he cannot resist making unwise choices. As viewers learn more about Tank’s personality and his habit of breaking promises and constantly failing, it becomes evident how the film will conclude. When the film concludes, the ending feels rushed.
Overall, Uptight portrays a living nightmare for the main character, Tank. Julian Mayfield delivers a compelling performance, although most viewers will likely find him unlikeable. As viewers learn more about Tank’s personality and habit of breaking promises, it becomes evident how the film will conclude and rushes through the finale. Ultimately, I adore the idea of focusing on the massive impact one person can have and how it may push an individual into a spiral of chaos, brokenness and drama.
7.3/10
8th June 2024
Written by Peter Walkden
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