Certain Fury (1985) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film takes place in gritty urban environments, primarily in a bustling courtroom, underground sewage systems, decrepit city areas, and various dangerous locations like an abandoned warehouse and Sniffer's apartment. These settings emphasize the desperate, survival-focused nature of the story.

• setting
• locations
• urban
• courtroom
• sewers
• warehouse

The movie is set in a contemporary 1980s urban environment, reflecting the era's social issues including racial tensions, drug abuse, and crime. The fast-paced narrative captures the chaotic nature of that decade's city life.

• time period
• 1980s
• contemporary
• era
• urban setting

Certain Fury explores three central themes: friendship between two unlikely allies from opposite backgrounds, justice and the corruption within the legal system, and desperation as the characters flee for their lives while navigating a harsh reality.

• themes
• friendship
• justice
• desperation
• corruption

The friendship between Scarlett, a streetwise prostitute, and Tracy, a privileged socialite, develops through shared adversity as they both face murder charges and drug possession accusations. Despite their vastly different backgrounds, their bond is forged through danger and mutual survival needs.

• scarlett
• tracy
• friendship
• alliance
• unlikely allies

The film critically examines the justice system as corrupt and biased, particularly against marginalized individuals. Both main characters are entangled in a flawed legal system facing serious charges, highlighting societal inequality and the blurred lines in the pursuit of true justice.

• justice system
• corruption
• legal
• inequality
• charges

Desperation drives the characters' actions as they make grave decisions while fleeing from both law enforcement and criminals. The theme reflects the lengths people will go to for self-preservation when faced with life-threatening situations and the fear of capture.

• desperation
• survival
• fear
• capture
• flee

Scarlett is a resilient young woman who has adapted to street life through illicit means. She is coercive and determined, pushing both herself and Tracy into dangerous situations. Despite her tough exterior, she reveals vulnerability through her illiteracy and desperation to escape her circumstances.

• scarlett
• tatum oneal
• character
• streetwise
• resilient

Tracy Freeman is a young woman from a privileged background who finds herself in a life-threatening situation alongside Scarlett. Her initial innocence clashes with harsh realities, leading to a character transformation. She desires redemption and a fresh start despite the mounting danger.

• tracy freeman
• irene cara
• character
• privileged
• transformation

Sniffer is a dubious character entrenched in the underground world of drugs and pornography. His volatile nature adds tension to the story as he manipulates situations to his advantage, representing the darker side of survival and exploitation in a corrupt criminal environment.

• sniffer
• nicholas campbell
• antagonist
• drugs
• manipulative

The film's decrepit urban locations highlight the societal issues facing the characters, including poverty, crime, and systemic neglect. The underground sewage system specifically symbolizes their desperate escape and descent into the city's hidden underworld.

• urban decay
• settings
• symbolism
• poverty
• underworld

Certain Fury addresses several social issues including racial tensions, drug abuse, crime, and the struggles of marginalized individuals. The film examines how these issues create desperate circumstances that force unlikely alliances between people from different social classes.

• social issues
• racial tensions
• drug abuse
• crime
• marginalized