What happens when a star football player retires at 25?  After several years playing professional football, Kyle Bishop (Lance Gross)  is released from his fourth team in three years and returns to his home town, broke and at a complete loss about what he will do for a living. After an initially cold reception, Kyle reconnects with Faith Davis (Nicole Beharie), his old high school flame. Ready to leave football far in the past, Kyle gets a job at a local gym and starts planning a new life with Faith and her young son, Von. However, when Kyle unexpectedly gets a lucrative offer from another professional team, he is torn about what path to take.  The Last Fall marks the directorial debut of renowned music video director Matthew A. Cherry, a former wide receiver who retired from the NFL in 2007.  The cast also includes stellar veteran actors Vanessa Bell Calloway, Harry Lennix, and Keith David.

WATCH TRAILER BELOW:

BEHIND THE SCENES with Lance Gross and Matthew Cherry (via NecoleBitchie)

My new crush, Nicole Beharie (Habana Outpost, remember?!), sat down with The Urban Daily to talk about her role in American Violet – in select theaters today. While doing the interview, she dropped dime about maybe lacing up the thigh high boots, donning something leather and coming to my, err, I mean society’s rescue.

With that in mind, be sure to check out our review of American Violet [click here to read and listen] and check out these casting decisions if Marvel or DC Comics ever decide to put together a black female superhero summer blockbuster movie.

Still need saving? Check out our Black Superheroes gallery by clicking here! To see all the Black Super-heroines check out this video here!

Ever been accused of a crime that you didn’t do? It takes a strong-willed person to go against the powers that be and seeing that justice is blind, American Violet takes an incredible look at how far the spirit will carry you in this story based on true events.

Starring Nicole Beharie, Alfre Woodard, Xzibit and Will Patton, the film opens in a Texas kitchen housing project where a mother is taking care of her kids. Miles away the police are preparing to wage war on that peaceful scene with guns and ammos loaded ready to arrest anyone in their way. The story is penned by Bill Haney and tells the ordeal of Regina Kelly – a single mother of four forced to defend her innocence against a racist police force and its mastermind District Attorney.

American Violet is a very powerful film. Set during the tumultuous time of the Bush Administration, Texas was still under its own jurisdiction even after Dubya took office and audiences were amazed to see how poor folks weren’t given too many options once arrested and placed in a cell. Much like Mumia Abu-Jamal or other cases where folks have been wronged, Nicole Beharie – who stars as Dee Roberts – maintains her poise even though folks on both sides of the fence weigh their opinion on what she should do.

The Julliard grad does an effortless job of creating strength within chaos. Her home life and workplace were safe havens before the law came in to change that. Falsely accused of selling drugs in a school zone, Beharie showcases an inner belief that only reaffirms her resolve in God, her family and her innocence. Fellow Julliard alum, Anthony Mackie makes a brief cameo that helps the story to flow along smoothly.

It’s the supporting cast of Woodard, Xzibit and Will Patton that do well in being the voices in Dee’s life. As her mother, Woodard herself exhibits the fear that most mothers would for their child when facing a life threatening situation. Xzibit plays the father to two of Dee’s kids, who lives in the same projects as her with a seedy new woman. The fireworks that go on between Beharie’s and Xzibit’s characters when placed against all that she’s going through gives “Dee” another level of personal hell, but it is within that where the road to redemption takes flight.

But I wouldn’t want to give away the whole movie. American Violet opens up in select theaters today (April 17th). This is a MUST SEE MOVIE for anyone who needs a little reaffirmation in their own life.

The Urban Daily sits down EXCLUSIVELY with star, Nicole Beharie. Check out what she has to say below:

VIA EUR:

In November 2000, 20 residents of Hearne, TX were rounded up and arrested on drug distribution charges.

While on the surface, the raid seemed to be a triumph in the war on drugs, with 20 criminals behind bars. In reality, the event was an attack on African Americans in the small town of 5,000 people.

All 20 were fingered by a hapless crack addict who later admitted he was threatened by authorities if he did not implicate 20 residents of the Hearne housing projects.

The residents were booked and offered plea bargains if they confessed. Several innocent people took the plea bargain. Regina Kelly, a waitress and mother of four, refused.

With a battle than began that fateful day in November, Kelly became the lead plantiff in the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas lawsuit that accused the district attorney’s office of targeting minorities.

Be sure to check out our EXCLUSIVE interview with Nicole Beharie, by clicking here! Click here to read more about the story!