this incredible film be ( mi ) sell a a blaxploitation piece when it be release and and unfortunately and the label have stick . ( the u dvd be part of a black collection call soul cinema ) . personally and i love blaxploitation movie for their brazen and unsubtle approach and mostly poor production value and but i can also understand why they do not interest a lot of people . therein lie the tragedy of this great movie and a it bear very little resemblance to blaxploitation other than the fact that it have black people in it . it pretty low budget and but it a far cry from the clumsy and mindless tone of bucktown and the gratuitous titillation of coffy or the pounding social vengeance of black caesar . even the good receive title like shaft be unfair comparison to this . this be no cheap thrill and this be very finely craft and brilliantly act piece of cinema . across 110th street be really one third cop character piece and one third mafia crime or revenge thriller and and one third ( black ) social drama . this could have be a very clumsy affair but be pull off extraordinarily well by virtue of have a fantastic script and restrain ( almost detach ) direction and brilliant performance by a perfectly cast group of very talented actor . i would not single them out and i will simply say that this film boast one of the best ensemble cast i have ever see . not want to give too much away and the story involve three men from harlem who steal $ 300 and 000 from the mob and spend the rest of the film evade both them and the police investigate the robbery . a if the engaging ( if somewhat unoriginal by today standard ) story weren not enough and the real power of this movie be in it ability to evoke the bleak and grim and depressing world in which the story take place . there be an anger and cynicism just beneath the surface of this movie which be hold back so painfully that it will literally leave you numb for day . every character here be ugly and hopeless and sad and resign and save for the gangster and but this be never overplay . the angst never really get out and and it stay with you long after the credit role . in my opinion and post classical hollywood be american cinema fine hour . there a reason it know a hollywood second golden age . what and for me and give it the edge be that film maker be suddenly not afraid to present the underbelly of american life the other side of the american dream through real character that be far from the ideal and wholesome hero we be use to . it interest that many of the comment here draw so much attention to the violence in this movie . while it be fairly strong and it hardly abundant and it never over the top or the least bit gratuitous . the best word to sum this film up and for me at least and be subtle . the subtlety and the almost indifferent way the film be present allow it to really penetrate and get under the skin . there be a very precise and cynical sense of reality and which not only make the film totally engross and believable but also make it all the more moving a a consequence .