The Return (2010 film)
Encyclopedia
The Return is a 2010
independent film
produced by LPT Productions, LLC. It stars Christopher "Play" Martin of the popular late 1980s/early 1990s hip hop
duo
Kid n' Play, and features appearances by actor Phillip Burgess who played Security in the fourth season the HBO series The Wire
, and comedian Charles Pickett. The film also stars newcoming actors Jeff Shell, Quentin Das, Nigel Kelly, Je T'aime, Gogo Lomo-David, Just Nick
, Randall Baldwin, E.J. Lewis, Sheena Marie, Carlos Massey and Ricky Cotton
The film was written
by Edwin E. Lewis and directed
by Thomas Scott, Jr and Edwin E. Lewis. Production
for "The Return" began on March 1, 2010 and ended on June 10, 2010. It was filmed on location throughout Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Burlington
and Jamestown
, North Carolina
. As of September 14, 2010, The Return is in post-production
.
and Earl (Galbreath), a risk management
consultant hired by Agent Roberts, Charles Hinley (Shell) , head of DEA Field Operations in North Carolina
has six months to resolve the problem of the Whitesnake drug organization. After conferring with his field liaison, John (Lanier), Charles sends for Nate Parker (Martin), an informant. When Nate arrives at Charles' office in Raleigh
, Charles and John offer Nate the possibility of becoming an undercover agent in which Nate immediately expresses interest. To his surprise, Nate discovers that he would have to return to his hometown of Greensboro to infiltrate a drug operation headed by his childhood friend, Rito Jackson (Das) and cousin, Terry Martin (Kelly), both suspected of being part of a larger network controlled by the anonymous kingpin, Whitesnake.
After a twenty-five year absence, Nate returns to Greensboro and visits his high-school mentor, Ms. Hoskins (Je T'aime) who, stricken with cancer, awaits her death in a hospice. At her bedside, Nate confides in Ms. Hoskins that he is a federal agent and has been offered an assignment to help the DEA bring down Rito. With her final breath, Ms. Hoskins urges Nate to accept the assignment, accusing Rito and Terry of destroying the city though their proliferation of drugs.
From that point, the story makes a detour into the fall of 1982, in which Young Nate (Lomo-David), a high-school student in his junior year, sits in a garage with Young Rito (Just Nick), Young Terry (Baldwin) and Bernard (Lewis) who share a joint of marijuana. Rito decides that the boys can make money selling weed in school to which Nate, at first, objects. Realizing how adamant Rito is about the idea, Nate devises a plan on how they can procure the drugs on credit. Nate mediates a deal between Rito and Jahboo (Cottrell), a small-time drug dealer and club owner, who agrees to advance the boys the drugs in order to attract teenage customers.
Meanwhile, Ms. Hoskins, Nate's English teacher, discovers that Nate's underperformance in class is intentional and confronts him with the fact that he purposely gives the wrong answers to questions on his tests. She encourages Nate to continue what he is doing so that his friends may see the grade his wants them to see, but explains that she will record the grade that he deserves in her grade book. Later in the school year, Nate becomes smitten by Sharon, a new student who joins Ms. Hoskins' class. As he begins dating Sharon, Nate, for the first time, becomes at ease with who he truly is. Both Ms. Hoskins and Sharon, however, try discourage Nate from his association Rito who, along with Terry and Bernard, becomes more dangerously entrenched in the drug game.
By the following school year, Rito and his crew outsell their supplier Jahboo who instantly views them as a possible threat. The competition between the two sides turns deadly, causing Nate to re-evaluate his friendship with Rito. As the violence escalates, Ms. Hoskins intervenes by confronting Rito and pressuring him to urge Nate to go to college
. Reluctantly, Rito encourages Nate to pursue his college studies, insisting that he cannot guarantee him full protection. After only three years, Nate graduates from college and subsequently joins the Marine Corps
and later the DEA which puts him at dangerous odds with his childhood friend.
2010 in film
The year 2010 saw many new films released worldwide. 2010 saw a dramatic increase and prominence in the use of 3D-technology in filmmaking and film releases after the success of Avatar in the format, with releases such as Alice in Wonderland, Clash of the Titans, Jackass 3D, all animated films and...
independent film
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
produced by LPT Productions, LLC. It stars Christopher "Play" Martin of the popular late 1980s/early 1990s hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
duo
Duet (music)
A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
Kid n' Play, and features appearances by actor Phillip Burgess who played Security in the fourth season the HBO series The Wire
The WIRE
the WIRE is the student-run College radio station at the University of Oklahoma, broadcasting in a freeform format. The WIRE serves the University of Oklahoma and surrounding communities, and is staffed by student DJs. The WIRE broadcasts at 1710 kHz AM in Norman, Oklahoma...
, and comedian Charles Pickett. The film also stars newcoming actors Jeff Shell, Quentin Das, Nigel Kelly, Je T'aime, Gogo Lomo-David, Just Nick
Nick Peters
Nick Peters, is a former baseball writer, who mostly covered San Francisco Giants games in his career, one that spanned 47 seasons ....
, Randall Baldwin, E.J. Lewis, Sheena Marie, Carlos Massey and Ricky Cotton
The film was written
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
by Edwin E. Lewis and directed
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
by Thomas Scott, Jr and Edwin E. Lewis. Production
Filmmaking
Filmmaking is the process of making a film, from an initial story, idea, or commission, through scriptwriting, casting, shooting, directing, editing, and screening the finished product before an audience that may result in a theatrical release or television program...
for "The Return" began on March 1, 2010 and ended on June 10, 2010. It was filmed on location throughout Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Burlington
Burlington, North Carolina
Burlington is a city in Alamance and Guilford counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the principal city of the Burlington, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Alamance County, in which most of the city is located. The population was 49,963 at the 2010...
and Jamestown
Jamestown, North Carolina
Jamestown is a town in Guilford County, North Carolina, United States, and is a suburb of the nearby cities of Greensboro and High Point. The population was 3,088 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Jamestown is located at ....
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. As of September 14, 2010, The Return is in post-production
Post-production
Post-production is part of filmmaking and the video production process. It occurs in the making of motion pictures, television programs, radio programs, advertising, audio recordings, photography, and digital art...
.
Plot
Under fire from his superior John Roberts (Parker), Special Agent-in-Charge of the Atlanta Division of the DEADrug Enforcement Administration
The Drug Enforcement Administration is a federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Justice, tasked with combating drug smuggling and use within the United States...
and Earl (Galbreath), a risk management
Risk management
Risk management is the identification, assessment, and prioritization of risks followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability and/or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities...
consultant hired by Agent Roberts, Charles Hinley (Shell) , head of DEA Field Operations in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
has six months to resolve the problem of the Whitesnake drug organization. After conferring with his field liaison, John (Lanier), Charles sends for Nate Parker (Martin), an informant. When Nate arrives at Charles' office in Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, Charles and John offer Nate the possibility of becoming an undercover agent in which Nate immediately expresses interest. To his surprise, Nate discovers that he would have to return to his hometown of Greensboro to infiltrate a drug operation headed by his childhood friend, Rito Jackson (Das) and cousin, Terry Martin (Kelly), both suspected of being part of a larger network controlled by the anonymous kingpin, Whitesnake.
After a twenty-five year absence, Nate returns to Greensboro and visits his high-school mentor, Ms. Hoskins (Je T'aime) who, stricken with cancer, awaits her death in a hospice. At her bedside, Nate confides in Ms. Hoskins that he is a federal agent and has been offered an assignment to help the DEA bring down Rito. With her final breath, Ms. Hoskins urges Nate to accept the assignment, accusing Rito and Terry of destroying the city though their proliferation of drugs.
From that point, the story makes a detour into the fall of 1982, in which Young Nate (Lomo-David), a high-school student in his junior year, sits in a garage with Young Rito (Just Nick), Young Terry (Baldwin) and Bernard (Lewis) who share a joint of marijuana. Rito decides that the boys can make money selling weed in school to which Nate, at first, objects. Realizing how adamant Rito is about the idea, Nate devises a plan on how they can procure the drugs on credit. Nate mediates a deal between Rito and Jahboo (Cottrell), a small-time drug dealer and club owner, who agrees to advance the boys the drugs in order to attract teenage customers.
Meanwhile, Ms. Hoskins, Nate's English teacher, discovers that Nate's underperformance in class is intentional and confronts him with the fact that he purposely gives the wrong answers to questions on his tests. She encourages Nate to continue what he is doing so that his friends may see the grade his wants them to see, but explains that she will record the grade that he deserves in her grade book. Later in the school year, Nate becomes smitten by Sharon, a new student who joins Ms. Hoskins' class. As he begins dating Sharon, Nate, for the first time, becomes at ease with who he truly is. Both Ms. Hoskins and Sharon, however, try discourage Nate from his association Rito who, along with Terry and Bernard, becomes more dangerously entrenched in the drug game.
By the following school year, Rito and his crew outsell their supplier Jahboo who instantly views them as a possible threat. The competition between the two sides turns deadly, causing Nate to re-evaluate his friendship with Rito. As the violence escalates, Ms. Hoskins intervenes by confronting Rito and pressuring him to urge Nate to go to college
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
. Reluctantly, Rito encourages Nate to pursue his college studies, insisting that he cannot guarantee him full protection. After only three years, Nate graduates from college and subsequently joins the Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
and later the DEA which puts him at dangerous odds with his childhood friend.
Cast
- Christopher "Play" Martin — Nathaniel (Nate) Parker
- Quentin Das — Rito Jackson
- Nigel Kelly — Terry Martin
- Jeff Shell — Charles Hinley
- George Galbreath — Earl
- Je T'aime — Ms. Hoskins
- Gogo Lomo-David — Young Nate
- Just NickNick PetersNick Peters, is a former baseball writer, who mostly covered San Francisco Giants games in his career, one that spanned 47 seasons ....
— Young Rito - Randall Baldwin — Young Terry
- E.J. Lewis — Bernard
- Sheena Marie — Sharon
- Ray Cottrell — Jahboo
- Carlos Massey — Tyrone
- Ricky Cotton — Teddy
- Phillip Burgess — Pastor
- Charles Pickett — Club MC
Minor Cast
- Scott Parker — (John) Roberts
- Patricia Jackson — Lillian
- Eric Lanier — John (Milovich)
- Ben Wallace — Otis
- Pudgy Miller — Terio
- Michael Mike — Carlos
- Dave GarrettDavid GarrettDavid Garrett may refer to:*David Garrett *David C. Garrett, Jr., American businessman*David Garrett , former New Zealand politician*David Garrett , American filmmaker...
— Juan - Shayne Artis — Valerie
- Trudi-Kaye Edmund — Patricia
- Sonya Brodnex — Sylvia
- Nichole Howell — Veronica
- Lauren Crawford — Renita
- Pharrah Crawford — Angela
- Josh SmithJosh SmithJosh Smith is an American professional basketball player with the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA. Josh is one of five kids born to Paulette and Pete Smith. His siblings are Walter, Phebe, Kasola and Shanti. His popular nickname is "J-Smoove".Smith attended John McEachern High School. For his senior...
— Josh (drug dealer) - Maria Good — Maria (Castillo)
- Steve BellStephen BellStephen Bell was an English professional footballer who played as a winger.He made his debut for Middlesbrough F.C. aged 16 years and 323 days against Southampton on 30 January 1982 in the Football League First Division, making him the joint youngest player to appear in a competitive game for the...
— Agent Moody