The emmy award winning “The Corner” covers a year in the life of a family battered by drug use in a Baltimore ghetto. “The Corner” is the precursor to the series “The Wire”, examining drug use and its aftermath in the lives of one family. This series takes you into the streets and lives of drug addicts and their fight for survival.

The documentary style miniseries is expertly directed by the talented actor Charles S. Dutton, who provides the narration for the story and interviews the family and people associated with them. The excellent cinematography brings you in deep to the world of the streets. The three lead actors are excellent as is the supporting cast. David Simon, the creator of “The Wire”, wrote the miniseries along with David Mills. The same high level of writing found in “The Wire” is also evident in “The Corner”. If you are a fan of “The Wire” you will notice a number of “Wire” actors in roles throughout the miniseries. “The Corner” is gut wrenching to watch as it shows the hopelessness encountered by addicts and those who live with them. The real life interviews of the people the project is based on are featured in the DVD extras and is a chilling reminder of how real this story is.

“The Corner” is an eye opening trip into life on the streets and the struggle to survive drugs. If you admire “The Wire” you should add this to your list of must see television series.

2000. Directed by Charles S. Dutton. Starring T.K. Carter, Khandi Alexander, Sean Nelson, Clarke Peters, Glenn Plummer, Toy Connor and Maria Broom.

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