"At first glance THE POET AND THE CON, filmed artfully in black & white (also in color), may not capture the imaginations of the MTV generation. Yet, as the message unfolds a number of important and complex issues emerge. Whereas the "poet" and his uncle, the "con" seem initially to have little in common beyond their blood relationship, as the film evolves, they are actually both revealed as outsiders, sharing along with the rest of us, a search for identity. Power and control, family loyalty, and greed are explored as influences in their lives. What is the etiology of crime, a genetic disposition or social environment? The family struggles with this eternal puzzle as THE POET AND THE CON explores all of these issues related to crime and the human experience."

Dr. Joseph Nunn, UCLA