A Piece of the Action (1977) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film is set in Chicago, Illinois, specifically in the city's urban neighborhoods. Key locations include an upscale restaurant, an inner-city youth center, and a monastery wine cellar that becomes central to the story's climax. The contrast between wealthy venues and gritty inner-city settings reflects the story's exploration of crime and opportunity.

• chicago
• urban setting
• city locations
• inner-city youth center
• monastery

The movie is set in the early 1970s Chicago, capturing the era's urban change and social tensions. The period atmosphere influences character choices, from street-level crime to community outreach efforts. Fashion, music, and the pace of city life anchor the story in a pre-digital era.

• 1970s
• time period
• chicago era
• 1970s urban settings

The film explores redemption through two career criminals, Manny Durrell and Dave Anderson, who are blackmailed into working at a youth center. As they engage with the community program, they confront their pasts and edge toward genuine responsibility. The story probes whether their schemes can yield real change or simply delay consequences.

• redemption
• reform
• second chance
• criminal transformation
• personal change

The inner-city youth center serves as a counterpoint to the criminals' world, offering teens jobs and direction. Staff members like Lila French and Sarah Thomas embody mentorship, pushing for trust and discipline. The narrative shows how community programs can redirect young talent toward constructive futures.

• youth center
• community programs
• mentorship
• teen outreach
• social programs

Deception drives much of the plot through blackmail, staged robberies, and hidden documents that threaten powerful criminals. A deep-voiced mastermind manipulates Manny and Dave, forcing them to reveal their misdeeds. The tension between truth, leverage, and justice creates the central conflict.

• deception
• blackmail
• manipulation
• secrets
• hidden documents

Manny Durrell is a suave, brilliant con artist portrayed by Sidney Poitier. His charm masks a calculating mind, and he thrives on social influence and clever schemes. Over time, his involvement with the youth center creates tension between his reluctance to abandon crime and a growing sense of responsibility.

• manny durrell
• con artist
• character role
• charming criminal
• reform

Dave Anderson is a relentless, pragmatic safecracker and con artist played by Bill Cosby. He partners with Manny and leverages his network to pull off high-stakes schemes. His involvement with the youth center and Lila gradually pushes him toward a more protective and community-minded stance.

• dave anderson
• safecracker
• con artist
• character role
• partnership

Joshua Burke is a retired police detective portrayed by James Earl Jones. His knowledge of Manny and Dave's shady pasts becomes the tool for blackmailing them into volunteering at the youth center. He shifts from cautious skepticism to becoming a collaborative ally in the community effort.

• joshua burke
• retired detective
• retired police
• blackmailer
• investigator

Lila French is the enthusiastic coordinator of the inner-city youth center, played by Denise Nicholas. She drives outreach and job placement for teens, embodying hope and determination. Her guidance helps nudge Manny and Dave toward engagement with the community while navigating the moral complexities of their situation.

• lila french
• youth center coordinator
• mentor
• community leader
• inspiration

Nikki McLean is Manny Durrell's girlfriend, portrayed by Tracy Reed. She becomes entangled in the men's crimes and the dangers that follow. Her loyalty and resilience navigate shifting loyalties as plans unfold, raising personal stakes for Manny and Dave.

• nikki mclean
• manny girlfriend
• loyalty
• personal stakes
• romantic interest

The film contrasts stark inner-city settings with upscale venues, including a high-end restaurant and a monastery wine cellar. These locations represent power, wealth, and hidden secrets. The monastery wine cellar becomes particularly pivotal as a locus for evidence and the heist sequence.

• posh restaurant
• monastery wine cellar
• upscale settings
• contrast locations
• wealthy venues

The film maintains a medium intensity through its criminal blackmail and kidnapping elements, balanced by a hopeful tone focused on redemption. While crime and urban struggle give it serious undertones, comedic elements and an optimistic resolution keep the mood uplifting. The primary emotional journey is reluctant altruism, where self-interest gradually gives way to social conscience.

• tone
• mood
• comedy
• crime film
• hopeful ending
• emotional tone