Themes: Assumed Identities, One Last Heist, Going Straight
Main Cast: Eric Roberts, David White, David White, Cynthia M. Watros, Shiek Mahmud-Bey, Stacy Keach, Lawrence Taylor, Robert La Sardo
Release Year: 2000
Country: US
Run Time: 106 minutes
Plot
Two brothers who've taken divergent paths in life are thrown into a crisis that forces both of them to examine their lives in this drama. John (David White) is a small-time criminal who, upon his release from prison, is met by his former partner, Rome (Eric Roberts). Rome wants John to join him in a counterfeiting scheme that could earn them $20 million. John is trying to go straight, but he needs to raise money for a real estate project he's trying to get off the ground, so he agrees, despite his misgivings. Rome trusts John with $50,000 in front money, but John double-crosses Rome and runs off with the cash; Rome is not at all amused and is determined to get revenge on John. On the run and with few options, John seeks out his estranged twin brother Jeremiah (also played by White), a novice minister who long believed his brother was dead. But John soon discovers that Rome has mistaken Jeremiah for John and has taken him hostage. Jeremiah tries to play along in hopes of saving his brother's life, while John tries to stay undercover by posing as Jeremiah -- and even tries to fool his brother's girlfriend Samantha (Cynthia Watros) into believing he's a man of the cloth. Produced by a Christian film production firm, Signal Hill Pictures, Mercy Streets also features Stacy Keach, Lawrence Taylor, and Robert Lasardo. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Koji Kataoka - Takashi; Lisa Furst - Sunny; Kevin Downes - Peter
Credit
Terry Miller - Associate Producer, Tim Healey - Associate Producer, Jon Gunn - Director, Jon Gunn - Editor, Jeffrey Lee Hollis - Editor, Brett Winn - Editor, Marta Wells - Executive Producer, Dan Wells - Executive Producer, Karen Bowerman - Executive Producer, Greg Bowerman - Executive Producer, Steffan Fantini - Composer (Music Score), Michael Pearce - Production Designer, Chris Magee - Production Designer, Michael Pearce - Cinematographer, Jon Gunn - Cinematographer, Chris Magee - Cinematographer, Jon Gunn - Producer, David White - Producer, Kevin Downes - Producer, Bobby Downes - Producer, Geoff Ludlow - Producer, Travis Mann - Producer, Lee Archer - Sound/Sound Designer, Jon Gunn - Screenwriter, John W. Mann - Screenwriter
Mercy Streets is the story of twin brothers, John (David White), a con man and Jeremiah (David White), a pastor, who are forced to switch lives. After being released from prison, John is looking to make a new start, and agrees to work for his father figure and mentor Rome (Eric Roberts). When John attempts to double cross Rome, it sets off a chain reaction which turns the lives of both brothers into turmoil. While on the run from Rome, John steps into the calm suburban life of his twin brother Jeremiah and turns his good life upside down.
Jeremiah, a well-loved and respected priest, is forced into the criminal underworld of his brother when he is taken hostage by Rome and blackmailed into taking part in a counterfeiting scam. Haunted by the guilt of what he believes to be his brother's death, Jeremiah struggles to atone for his wrongdoing and redeem his faith by going along with the plan. However, Rome's simple plan begins to go horribly wrong when Jeremiah escapes and comes face to face with the brother he thought was dead. They both cannot turn away from the consequences of their actions or the love and forgiveness of God.
Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times said, "Despite a competent cast and all the energy Roberts in particular contributes, the filmmakers cannot sustain enough momentum to keep their film from seeming contrived and preachy."[2] Ted Baehr of Movieguide said, "Mercy Streets is a masterful piece of moviemaking with a strong Gospel message."[3]
