The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete looks like one of those stories that leave a bad taste in your mouth, precisely because of how well-made they are. Mister is a 13-year-old boy living in poverty in Brooklyn, taking care of his younger brother Pete and trying to help his convicted, substance-dependent mother find a job that doesn’t require a background check.

When his mother is once again jailed. However, Mister is forced to fend for himself. He also has to take care of 9-year-old Pete, while the two hide from social workers, the police and worst of all – the criminals his mother was involved with. Mister is often reduced to begging on the street to feed himself and little Pete. Gradually, the boy learns that his mother isn’t going to return, even after she is let free.

Jennifer Hudson, Grammys
Jennifer Hudson loses the glamour in this social tragedy.

The Inevitable Defeat is, ironically, a story of struggle and triumph (more or less) over the circumstances. We’ve seen this kind of film made before and it’s the type of hard-hitting, heavy story that director George Tillman Jr. ('Notorious', 'Men of Honour', 'Soul Food') has already tried his hand at. The film was written by Michael Starrbury ('Watch Roger Do His Thing', 'Black Jack'), and it is due to be released in cinemas on October 11th 2013 in the US.

The cast, featuring the likes of Jordin Sparks, Jennifer Hudson and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, seems like a bit of a gamble, but judging by the trailer, the movie has every chance of becoming a smash success. If that ends up being the case, the October release makes it perfectly timed for Oscar season as well, a fact that surely hasn’t gone unnoticed by the filmmakers.

Jordin Sparks, Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Jordin Sparks is the other American Idol alumnus on set.