I first saw this broadcast on WUTV Buffalo 29, and the image of that soda can scene stuck with me – though my recollection was that he’d placed them inside a sock. Sean Penn's and Esai Morales' acting really stood out. It turns out I had forgotten about Ally Sheedy when she was younger, along with Clancy Brown and Alan Ruck.

Sean Penn portrays O’Brien, a man imprisoned after unintentionally causing the death of an eight-year-old boy. His experiences within the prison system expose him to typical difficulties and intimidation, but he finds an unexpected connection with Horowitz, a clever electronics expert played by Eric Gurry. Gradually, O'Brien begins to understand how things work, gain control, and prosper in this environment. The plot…

This movie holds a special place for me as one of the first times I recognized Sean Penn's talent. It's a stark, realistic story about young people rebelling against authority and having to survive by their wits on the streets. If you’re willing to consider it for what it is, it’s worthwhile.