Stony Island (film)

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Stony Island
Stony island film.jpg
Original theatrical poster
Directed by Andrew Davis
Written by Tamar Simon Hoffs
Andrew Davis
Starring
Cinematography Tak Fujimoto
Edited by Dov Hoenig
Music by David Matthews
Distributed byWorld Northal
Release date
  • 1978 (1978)
Running time
97 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$380,000

Stony Island is a 1978 American musical drama film and Andrew Davis directorial debut. Co-written by David and Tamar Simon Hoffs, it stars Richard Davis, the director's brother, and includes Dennis Franz, Rae Dawn Chong, Gene Barge, and Susanna Hoffs.

Contents

The film is about an up-and-coming rhythm and blues band in Chicago. Set in various places in Chicago, including gritty Stony Island Avenue.

Director Andrew Davis drew inspiration for Stony Island from his brother’s experience growing up in a changing South Side Chicago neighborhood and forming a band with local kids. Made on a modest budget of under $380,000, it was distributed by World Northal to art-house and urban cinemas, recovering two-thirds of its budget and sparking Davis’ career as a sought-after director for urban-themed films.

Stony Island has been praised as a vibrant, heartfelt debut that captures the essence of Chicago's late-’70s culture and music scene. Critics commend its authentic portrayal of the city’s neighborhoods and its blend of urban grit with a soulful, semi-documentary feel. The film’s story of a biracial band forming against a backdrop of changing neighborhoods resonates with themes of integration and ambition. Featuring natural performances by real musicians and a jazzy, energetic soundtrack, the movie balances personal moments, raw emotion, and cultural commentary with charm and sincerity, solidifying its legacy as a vivid portrait of its time and place.

Cast

Production and release

During the mid-1970s Davis was a rising cinematographer, according to him during this time he was hired to work on important films, but also choose to work on low budget film because he "wanted to see what it was like to make a movie for very little money. This allowed me to later say ‘let’s try to make Stony Island’." [1]

Director Davis explained that the inspiration of "Stony Island was a story about my brother growing up in the south side of Chicago. I also grew up there, but it was really about his journey in a neighborhood that was changing. My parents had stayed in this neighborhood and my brother was putting together a band with some other kids." [1]

Davis co-wrote the film with Tamar Simon Hoffs, and the cast includes Davis's brother Richard Davis, Gene Barge, Rae Dawn Chong, Susanna Hoffs, Dennis Franz, and Oscar Brown Jr. [2]

The budget for the film was under $380,000, and when it was finalized Twentieth Century-Fox screened it. They turned it down thinking "it was too arty for kids and to black for suburban art-houses". This led World Northal to choose it for distribution and placed it in art-houses and urban cinemas that summer. Davis recovered two-third of the budget and started to be sought after by film studios for urban films. [3]

Reception

Film critic Roger Ebert praised Stony Island as an energetic and charming tribute to Chicago's city spirit and music culture. He highlights the film's semi-documentary feel, driven by a loose, concert-like structure filled with vibrant performances by the Stony Island Band, formed specifically for the movie. Ebert commends Gene Barge’s convincing role as a veteran jazz musician and notes the film's playful, cynical take on funerals and Chicago life. Despite its lighthearted tone, it captures heartfelt moments, like the band’s first concert featuring a poignant spectral touch. For Ebert, the movie blends reality and fiction with sincerity and a refreshing urban vibe. [4]

Noel Murray of The A.V. Club highlights Stony Island as a vibrant and grounded debut from Andrew Davis, blending urban grit with a rich sense of Chicago’s late-’70s culture. Co-written with Tamar Hoffs, the film follows two aspiring musicians, played by Davis’ brother Richie and Edward Robinson, navigating their R&B dreams amid a city shaped by slushy streets, high-rises, and political undercurrents. Featuring contributions from jazz legends David Sanborn and Hiram Bullock, alongside early performances by Dennis Franz and Meshach Taylor, Murray praises its authentic atmosphere and heartfelt focus, showcasing Davis’s talent for capturing personal, music-driven stories. [5]

Joseph Bansoua's review of Stony Island in The Daily Breeze highlights the film's vibrant music and authentic performances. He praises the film's ability to capture the energy of Chicago’s music scene, particularly through its engaging soundtrack of R&B, jazz, and gospel. The actors, many of whom are actual musicians, bring a naturalistic feel to the story, though Bansoua finds some of the characters underdeveloped. He commends the film’s grounded acting, dynamic cinematography by Tak Fujimoto, and its impressive execution on a modest budget, ultimately recognizing Stony Island as an enjoyable and credible indie effort. [6]

Charles Champlin’s review of Stony Island in the Los Angeles Times acknowledges the film’s sincerity and musical energy but critiques its loose, improvisational structure doesn't works in its favor. He appreciates its heartfelt message about music as a unifying force amid racial tensions and praises Tak Fujimoto’s cinematography for capturing Chicago’s essence. Ultimately, Champlin sees Stony Island as an earnest but uneven film, driven by its good intentions and vibrant music. [7]

Bruce McCabe of The Boston Globe praises Stony Island as a vibrant, bittersweet film brimming with energy, charm, and ambition, with Chicago portrayed with raw, dynamic character. McCabe commends the film’s authentic exploration of integration, depicting black and white musicians succeeding together with natural ease. While noting minor missteps, such as inadequate buildup, he highlights the engaging performances of the non-professional cast and the film’s ability to balance emotional depth with gritty musical energy. [8]

Ray Pride of New City Film highlights Stony Island as a grounded and soulful debut from Chicago-bred director Andrew Davis, capturing the city’s South Side and downtown streets with authenticity and spatial precision. Pride praises the film's intimate portrayal of Chicago’s neighborhoods and its moment in time, noting its connection to the city’s history, and the film’s enduring legacy is marked by its vivid sense of place and cultural resonance. [9]

Home media

The film was released on DVD in 2012. [10]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Made in Chicago: Andrew Davis on his Career and Disturbing the Bones (CIFF 2024)". FilmInt.nu. November 13, 2024. Archived from the original on January 28, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  2. ↑ Brew, Caroline (October 31, 2023). "Andrew Davis' 'Stony Island' Sets Digital Debut and Screening in November in Honor of 45th Anniversary (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on January 28, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  3. ↑ Donahue, Suzanne Mary (1987). American film distribution : the changing marketplace. UMI Research Press. p. 247.
  4. ↑ Ebert, Roger (November 24, 1978). "Stony Island". RogerEbert.com (Review). Archived from the original on January 28, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
  5. ↑ Murray, Noel. "Stony Island". AV Club. Archived from the original on January 28, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  6. ↑ Bensoua, Joseph (November 9, 1979). "'Stony Island' another 'Rocky'". The Daily Breeze. pp. E7.
  7. ↑ Champlim, Charles (November 7, 1979). "'Stony Island': Low Budget Creativity". Los Angeles Times. pp. Part IV: 1 -17.
  8. ↑ McCabe, Bruce (June 11, 1980). "'Stony', Bold and Independant". Boston Globe. p. 55.
  9. ↑ Pride, Ray (November 16, 2023). "Movies to See in Chicago: November 17-23, 2023 | Newcity Film". Archived from the original on January 28, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  10. ↑ Bey, Lee (April 4, 2012). "Revisiting 'Stony Island': Soulful 1970s Chicago cult film hits the streets again". WBEZ91.5 . Archived from the original on June 5, 2013. Retrieved May 3, 2013.


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