Omar Cook and Adonis Armstrong’s Coke Boys is the story of two men who find themselves in too deep in a drug dealing operation. Omar Cook plays Cain, the leader of said Los Angeles drug operation. He rules with an aggressive demeanor and a very large gun. But being on top has its problems, as Cain is constantly looking over his shoulder from the cops, rival gang members, and those underneath him. Finally, after proposing to his girlfriend, he realizes he just can’t walk away from the operation for a better, peaceful, and safer life to start a family.
Adonis Armstrong is Trey, one of Cain’s lieutenants, who is being shaken down by a pair of cops (Clay Cureton and Jon Budinoff). As a result, Trey finds himself trapped in a life of crime where one false move can get him killed and a justice system breathing down his neck to “snitch” on Cain or spend the rest of his life in prison.
‘…Cain is constantly looking over his shoulder from the cops, rival gang members, and those underneath him.”
I have nothing but immense admiration for filmmakers like Cook and Armstrong, who will stop at nothing to tell their stories and make their movies. Budget be damned! The filmmakers pull out all the stops to tell a gritty crime story while making good use of the limited resources at their disposal. Coke, guns, and tough-talking characters are on full display, yet Cook and Armstrong know that their story of loyalty, survival, and betrayal is of utmost importance.
Honestly, the only problem with Coke Boys is the story is too short. Cain’s story is perfect about a guy who has everything he wants but can’t escape. Trey’s story is a little too standard for a guy choosing between being a snitch or going to prison. More time would give Trey his motivations and reason to get out of the gange and then use the informant angle to be the catalyst for Trey to make a rushed or desperate decision.
I don’t know if Coke Boys is a proof-of-concept or the start of a bigger series, but I want to see more of this story or anything Cook and Armstrong have cooking.
Coke Boys is currently on its festival run. For screening information, visit Omar Cook’s official website.
