The Interrupters

Director Steve James' documentary on the conditions of Chicago's disenfranchised.

“Hoop Dreams” director Steve James returns to Chicago for another sprawling documentary look at the struggles and resilience of the city’s African-American underclass. James spends a year with the members of CeaseFire, a group committed to interrupting gangbanger violence before it escalates. Risking life and limb while seeking to counsel hate-filled hoodlums, the interrupters articulate their concerns with unforgettable passion — as do the bangers themselves in a masterful film that challenges TV news stereotypes at every turn. (144 min.) Rob Nelson 4 out of 4 stars